Naked at Lunch: A Reluctant Nudist's Adventures in the Clothing-Optional World

Novelist and journalist Smith took off his clothes, put on his sunscreen, and immersed himself in his subject to write this lighthearted look at the world of "nonsexual social nudism." Primarily a work of participatory journalism, the title follows Smith as he takes a naked cruise, hikes nude in the Austrian Alps, visits nudist resorts in Palm Springs and the South of France, and visits a clothing-free town in Spain. His observations of the culture of nudism are interesting and provide a glimpse into a world most people have not experienced. The book is often humorous, but Smith does a fine job of being jokey without poking mean fun. The text also provides some cultural background of nudism, describing nudist movements in history, especially the rise of nudism in the 19th century in Europe and the United States. He explores the legal situation for nudists and asks questions about the restriction on personal liberty that banning nakedness can represent.