The Masters Manual by Jack Rinella, Joseph W. Bean (1994, Paperback)

This book is written in the gay male perspective. It explains what is involved in being a "master" in the leather/BDSM lifestyle. It can answer your basic questions on many different topics for beginners. It does however leave out a few topics that I have come across over the years like the meaning of collars. I bought it so my partner could see the Master's perspective but it left her confused and asking questions because it was written for gay men not lesbians. But overall it does describe the role of a Master/Dom/Top, what is expected to them, and proper treatment of a slave/sub.