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cassreading's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is the perfect intro to trans history and issues. Susan Stryker is that rare academic who really can clearly synthesize complex ideas and histories for the lay public. It's relatively short and simple, but it provides a lot of threads you could follow if you're interested in learning more.
strwbryboy's review against another edition
5.0
SHHH NO I DIDNT CRY. I DONT CRY OVER OLD TRANS PEOPLE HAHA THATS CRAZY WHAT
but in all seriousness dear god im obsessed.
but in all seriousness dear god im obsessed.
lumeniferous_ether's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
mollysmith1313's review against another edition
5.0
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic. It took me a over a month to get through it because I was constantly marking up spots to return to and googling so much stuff. It felt like I was reading a condensed “Smithsonian” museum on transgender history, and I mean that in the best way! Such an eye opener. Such a great throughline in time specifically in the US (and a little bit outside the US, like how European influence made a big impact at key times). I have a feeling I’ll be returning to it a lot for reference in the years to come.
aemily's review against another edition
3.0
The sense I get after reading this book is that there is so much left to learn, which I think is the right sentiment for a popular book about a complex subject. At times, this insistence to cover the most relevant-to-today bits of this story felt unnecessarily rushed; questions about human history and sociology and psychology are raised and then left by the wayside in order to fast forward to activism in the late 20th century. It is so important to know about the sometimes-tense relationship with feminism, which helps contemporary readers understand the relative recency of "inclusivity" as a trait of feminist spaces. I suppose my main qualm, then, is that the book is not full of footnotes and much longer, which would ultimately make it less accessible.
ignatzv's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Transgender History compiles the history of transgender identities as well as the importance of including transgender people in modern-day activism. This was my first experience with feminist/queer literature, and I really have not looked back since. This book introduced me to a wonderful movement and complex history that means a lot to me even today. Since the latest addition was released in 2017, it could be somewhat outdated, but I still think it is a good introduction if you want to learn more about trans history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, and Dysphoria