"Strippers: The Untold History of the Girlie Show" is an entertaining (if wordy) survey of the "history of undressing" from its roots in 19th century vaudeville to the neo/retro burlesques acts of today, but despite its relatively innocent tone author Rachel Shteir has found herself being disinvited from reading engagements by those who fail to see the charm in good old fashioned bump-and-grind; in an interview in the Chronicle of Higher Education today (article only available with paid subscription), she says "I get very depressed ... When you see the book, it's so demure. Yes, there are photos of topless women. It is a book about striptease." And since it's a book about striptease, there are plenty of photos of topless women. (Sorry, did we mention that already?)

"Strippers: The Untold History of the Girlie Show" (book info @ Oxford University Press - thanks Tyler)
"Live and Lurid, the Striptease History" (Real Media broadcast @ WBUR, Boston)
Order: "Strippers: The Untold History of the Girlie Show" (Amazon)

Previously: Vintage Burlesque Films, Live! Nude! Girls!, "Lapdancer" Interview, The American Skin, Girl Watchers