Join KPCC's AirTalk with host Larry Mantle weekdays for lively and in-depth discussions of city news, politics, science, the arts, entertainment, and more. Call-in number: 866-893-5722

Shortly after the invention of clothing, mankind began to indulge in nudity. But being in-the-buff has gotten a bit of a bad rap.

The very word “nudist” conjures up images of free-spirited flower children, beach-lounging Europeans and even…perverts.

Author Haskell Smith wanted to know what people found so alluring about baring all, so he stripped-down to see what’s up with nudists. For his new book, “Naked at Lunch,” Haskell embarked on the naked adventure of a lifetime; he hiked the Austrian Alps, went on a naked walking tour of Europe and even took a nude cruise. He discovered that the stigma was hard to shake.

Smith joins Larry Mantle today to talk about what goes on, once the clothing is off.

Mark Haskell Smith will be speaking with the Los Angeles Times’ David Ulin about "Naked at Lunch", on June 3, at 7:00pm at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Click here for more info.

Guest:

Mark Haskell Smith, author of a number of books, including his latest, “Naked at Lunch: A Reluctant Nudist's Adventures in the Clothing-Optional World​” (Grove Press, 2015), which is available in bookstores today