jackieeh's review against another edition
5.0
I initially had a note to self to give this four stars, but of all the books I read on my vacation, this is the one that stuck with me. What I appreciate most about this book is that while it still falls into a white, cis, gay male focus, some efforts are made to draw our attention to that very fact, and the book doesn't claim to be as comprehensive an account as the title would indicate. My few reservations (bi people exist as interview subjects, forreal) notwithstanding, the joy of this book is its anecdotal storytelling across decades, its objective look at generational divides, and its decade-bundling so you really get a feel for all of that. Not to mention, oof, the sweeping, moving updated for this 21st century addition. A good reminder of the two steps forward while we're deep in the one step back.
jes_imagine's review against another edition
2.0
For a school assignment, I wanted to expand my knowledge on LGBTQ+ history. So I chose this book, thinking that it being called a landmark history would mean all inclusive. I did not like finding the white male focus of this book. It was not common for a woman (lesbian or contributer to history) to have a quote or be talked about for more than a few paragraphs. Much less a gay person of color. Much less any gay transgender individuals at all. It was frustrating that the white male still held the center spotlight, even in a book about the history of a marginalized group. This book was too focused on the gay, white male experience to be called an all inclusive telling of a gay America. I would have loved to hear any stories from transgender homosexuals and more of the lesbian experience in America throughout the decades.
Also, at times, I found myself bored with the amount of detail that was thrown into the book. There were times where I really wanted to skip over pages, knowing that if I did I probably wouldn't miss too much. There was a lot of political drama and accusions that at the time, yes, would have been pretty big and seemingly scandalous, but the retelling of that history did not give that perspective of being gay having been a huge awful thing back then.
I also would have loved if the origin of specific terminology was mentioned. Such as the butch and femme lesbian terms. Or people getting comfortable from calling themself queer. That transition of language would have been neat to read about.
Stonewall was recounted for about 5 pages then referenced to orient events on a timeline. I would have loved to hear primary sources from that night. There were a few quotes, but to have more in person perspective would have enhances the book more. I wish Stonewall was dwelled on longer with all of its significance. I was looking forward to learning more about the roots and was disappointed in the small amount of information presented.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. Nonetheless, I am grateful it exists and is telling the stories of some gay individuals at least. We've got to start somewhere in the telling of gay history.
Also, at times, I found myself bored with the amount of detail that was thrown into the book. There were times where I really wanted to skip over pages, knowing that if I did I probably wouldn't miss too much. There was a lot of political drama and accusions that at the time, yes, would have been pretty big and seemingly scandalous, but the retelling of that history did not give that perspective of being gay having been a huge awful thing back then.
I also would have loved if the origin of specific terminology was mentioned. Such as the butch and femme lesbian terms. Or people getting comfortable from calling themself queer. That transition of language would have been neat to read about.
Stonewall was recounted for about 5 pages then referenced to orient events on a timeline. I would have loved to hear primary sources from that night. There were a few quotes, but to have more in person perspective would have enhances the book more. I wish Stonewall was dwelled on longer with all of its significance. I was looking forward to learning more about the roots and was disappointed in the small amount of information presented.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. Nonetheless, I am grateful it exists and is telling the stories of some gay individuals at least. We've got to start somewhere in the telling of gay history.
hemhek's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Quite illuminating.
drizzlybear's review against another edition
3.0
a very eye-opening look at the history of gay people during the majority of the 20th Century. this book was written over 20 years ago which just reinforced how different points of view were in the 90s and how absolutely unrecognisable the lgbt+ community is now to how it was in the 40s or 50s.
a bit dry at times but also extremely informative and captures the gradual shift in attitudes over decades.
a bit dry at times but also extremely informative and captures the gradual shift in attitudes over decades.
sunvts's review
3.0
WAY too focused on the white male gay experience to really be a good, all-encompassing kind of ~gay history~ text. that said, i learned a lot about the movement and how different actions and social/political attitudes changed through the latter half of the 20th century. and the sections devoted to the aids crisis were really, really well done. very appropriately visceral.
amercier88's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it satisfied my love for New York City history as well as teaching me a lot of new things about gay history in the United States. It's easy to think that gay culture only started happening in the 80s but it's important that all people, gay and straight, know the trials and tribulations of what was once one of "America's most hated" minorities. I highly recommend it for any LGBT person as well as anyone with a desire to know history from a number of different standpoints.
gannent's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the book and feel like a learned a lot about the climate and culture surrounding gays during the time period described. I wasn't expecting it to have so much original oral history, but that wasn't a bad thing.
More...