Want it rough? This is the first thing to get.
Want to play whips and chains? Read this book first!
Seriously- the first half is safety, safety, more safety! Te Deum safety. But there's been a few bad accidents that could have been avoided by reading this book. There are reasons for avoiding certain things, and proper ways to do others.
About halfway through- the fun starts! This really is an excellent primer for anyone with Those Urges- you are not alone, and education is very important. Jay covers safe play, safety in dating new people, how to meet those new people, and what to do with those new people. The instructions get pretty detailed. A mesmerizing read for anyone, and very valuable education for anyone who wants to participate.

SM 101-My Review
I enjoyed reading this book. I am into the scene as they say. So this book is very informative for newbies like myself. This book gives you all the basics on how to get started if you are a Dominant Female or Dominant male. A must read!!

Excellent reference book
This is a really good reference book on most aspects usually associated with BDSM - perfect for beginners (who may not always be aware of how risky certain practises are and how - relatively speaking - safe other more conventionally "hard core" things may be). The author gives an excellent run-down on his version on the ethos of BDSM, and with so much experience of his own he seems well placed to do so. He also gives alot of practical advice about how to practise BDSM safely (emotionally and physically). I was especially impressed by his chapter on "basic basics" and "flagellation". This book is not perfect but it is still so good that I am giving it 5 stars. The things I did not like so much about the book were that (a) it hardly even mentions fisting, (b) the author is very scene based - this is not a big problem but it does mean that I filtered (by skim reading or skipping) probably about 1/8th to 1/4 of the text out (eg, how to find a partner/ local SM organisation/practise safe sex/etc). It has to be said that the fact that the author is so scene based is probably why the book is so good - Wiseman obviously draws from alot of personal and well sourced second hand information from friends in the BDSM scene.

A good place to start for the timid
Wiseman covers the ground pretty well and if you know nothing it's a place to start. He does as someone else pointed out err on the side of safety, but better that than be irresponsible. He has been around a long time and is respected within the scene, (although known for being a bit windy in his demos)Of course the whole "safe, sane and consentual" idea is a bit bizarre. Little that most of us do for fun is safe, and more hikers die every year than BDSM players. Personally, I prefer R.A.C.K., Risk Advised Consentual Kink, as do many others.

OK for those with a little experience...
This book was an ok read. It is probably better for someone with a little bit of experience but if you have done more than just dabbled in BDSM, then this book is not for you. Not really for submissives either... This book is better for someone who is interested in being a dominant.