Amazon touts Asian porn

Coffee table art pamphlet picture spread

By Linda Harrison in New York • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 1st February 2001 18:20 GMT

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Amazon surfers have been getting an eyeful after the e-tailer splashed pornographic photos on its site.

The pictures are part of a book Amazon.co.uk is flogging called Asian Ladies Photobook. As the title suggests, it features photos of Asian 'ladies' doing various daily activities around the house, such as playing board games or drawing in a book, whilst wearing not much more than a pair of earrings.

Although the pictures are by no means hard core, are they the kind of images parents would want popping up on screen if their unsuspecting kids were searching for books to help with, say, their geography homework on Asia? We bet AOL's Connie wouldn't approve.

An Amazon representative today defended the e-tailer. After having a gander at the pics, the company's spin doctors issued the following statement: "Amazon.co.uk sells this title (Asian Ladies Photobook) as part of its endeavour to provide the greatest all round selection of books for its customers.

"This book is on general release in all major UK retail outlets" (He's right. Everyone knows the dirty mac brigade go to the photography section in any bookshop. Errr, so I've heard - Ed)

Amazon is advertising the book, by Arnold Newman, for £13.95, a 20 per cent saving. Serious buyers, and Net perverts, can find the item here. And then click on the 'Customers who bought this book also bought' bit to get more of an eyeful. ®