The Illustrated Book of Sapphic Sex

Some women are born to Sapphic sex. Some achieve it. Some have it thrust upon them - if they are lucky. So says Kate Copstick, a practising bisexual. And she should know. She's studied the subject in depth.

The male fantasy - the image of girl on girl - is about two for the price of one... the possibility that both are for you.

Far from being synonymous with lesbianism, Sapphic sex is about a state of body: the ultimate sensuality, sex until you're exhausted by exertion and orgasms - apparently, not many heterosexual women know about that. Why would they?

'For me what is most wonderful about women is their taste... all parts of them.'

Lesbianism, by contrast, is a state of mind and of heart. The Illustrated Book of Sapphic Sex traces girl-on-girl sex through the ages with its penetrating text and breath-takingly raunchy images. With more than 60 images, 96 pages of perfectly-formed prose are complemented by salacious pictures and irreverent captions.

Heterosexual sex is like the M25... and there are many more interesting and quicker ways to get where you want than on the M25.

Exploits discussed range from Sappho's paeons to Phaon, her girl student, to pioneers of Sapphic sex in 20th-century film. These include Greta Garbo - a Swedish nibbler on the distaff side of the smorgasbord - and Marlene Dietrich lip to lip with a woman in Morocco. The perfect present for a friend or for yourself.

'A woman's skin is inviting... the skin is the human body's largest organ and the female skin is very definitely a sex organ.'