Forget what you think you know about sex workers and explore in-depth interviews with "providers." Author James Tugend teams up with a practicing psychologist to take a hard look at the sex trade, dispel myths, reduce prejudice, and explore modern reality.

Many escorts are articulate, resilient, and highly educated. They are entrepreneurial and enjoy their work, only seeing men they like and earning a lot of money, but they warn that prostitution harms other women, especially if they work for madams or pimps. A few overcome early traumas. Becoming independent escorts does wonders...