LOS ANGELES – Adult industry notables, academics and influential media are calling a forthcoming book a “must-read” because of the way it portrays an element of society often disparaged in public but embraced in private.

Exposure: A Sociologist Explores Sex, Society, and Adult Entertainment is a first-hand narrative and a no-holds-barred testimonial challenging existing stereotypes about sex and adult entertainment from the perspective of Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals, one of its foremost experts.

“For anyone with a passing interest in porn—and let’s be honest, we all have more than a passing interest in porn—this book is a must-read,” said EJ Dickson, lifestyle editor of The Daily Dot.

Nina Hartley, award-winning adult entertainment actress and author of Nina Hartley’s Guide to Total Sex, also praised the book.

“If you want to speak from understanding and not parrot media portrayals of porn, read this book,” she said.

Delving deep into the shadowed world of adult entertainment, Exposure: A Sociologist Explores Sex, Society, and Adult Entertainment offers insight into Tibbals’s explorations of porn. She recounts humorous personal encounters during her first adult industry trade convention, reflects on judging for the AVN Awards and discusses her struggles as a scholar interested in learning more about adult entertainment. She shares her perspective, as well as knowledge gained from within the industry, in a balanced and accessible way.

“I am so grateful to all the amazing people who have shown their support for my new book, which aims to bring a greater understanding of the adult industry and the people who work in it,” Tibbals said. “I believe this book will give people a greater understanding of porn and the industry as a whole. It’s too easy to demonize something that isn’t well understood, and I hope the book will bring about a new discussion about the adult industry and its place in popular culture.”

Published by Greenleaf Book Group, Exposure: A Sociologist Explores Sex, Society, and Adult Entertainment will be available July 7, 2015. To pre-order the book, click here.