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rungemaille's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
An interesting and much needed revisiting of Magnus Hirschfeld’s theories and legacy. A bit repetitive at times, and I’m not entirely sold on how the author framed their speculation about Li in earlier chapters, but other chapters were really solid and hard-hitting (the chapter on Hirschfeld’s strong connection to eugenics, in particular)
dannielynnfountain's review
4.0
An unexpectedly delightful read - I learned far more than I thought possible. There is so much for our community to be grateful to our ancestors for.
ccleeds7's review
4.0
**I received this book as an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.**
I thought this was a really interesting book. I had never heard of Magnus Hirschfeld or Tao Li, but rhey had realt interesting lives and conteibutions ro the queer community and queer history, especially at a time when it wasn’t easy or even possible to be out. While these men were not perfect by any means, they did dedicate their lives to sexology. At times, their views were written in a confusing way, but their views were often confusing and contradictory, so it makes sense that that happens. But otherwise I think it was well-written and interesting.
Review is rounded up from 3.5.
I thought this was a really interesting book. I had never heard of Magnus Hirschfeld or Tao Li, but rhey had realt interesting lives and conteibutions ro the queer community and queer history, especially at a time when it wasn’t easy or even possible to be out. While these men were not perfect by any means, they did dedicate their lives to sexology. At times, their views were written in a confusing way, but their views were often confusing and contradictory, so it makes sense that that happens. But otherwise I think it was well-written and interesting.
Review is rounded up from 3.5.
probably_reading_right_now's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I think overall this was a good read. I am really enjoying this trend of bringing LGBT history and stories that have been suppressed back to the forefront and I hope it continues. For me this one was not as great in the first half, but much better in the second. The author really found a stride, but still lost it at times in the second half. The author tended to get a little chaotic especially in the middle of the chapters. I think it began to get a little convoluted because in addition to the story they were trying to tell, and in the point the author was trying to make about Magnus Hirschfield being a problematic gay historical figure they would offer personal opinion and almost debate themself in a way. Hirschfield (63) was in a long term professional, mentorship, and romantic relationship with Li Shiu Tong (24) who he hoped would inherit, and carry on his legacy. The author would base opinions about what the subjects of the book thought, or felt offering little to no evidence to back up why they felt the way they did which was sad because this book was clearly very well researched. This was a really interesting story that I feel was well written, but could have used more editing. I think less personal opinion and debate, and more facts and telling the story, and when personal opinion is stated more evidence would have been helpful to painting the picture of why they had formed those opinions. I really enjoyed learning about people I didn’t know anything about prior, but wished it were a little more polished.
Release date: May 17th 2022
*a copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
britbrit's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Thank you Net Galley and U o T Press for providing an ARC to provide an honest review. This book really opens your eyes on how gay rights are not just about being gay. When one fights against injustice for one thing, there are infinite connections to other injustices that can't and shouldn't be ignored. In Laurie Marhoefer's book, she examines the life of a German man at the front of the gay rights movement from the late 1800s to the early 1900s calling out the fact that while he was fighting for the rights of gay people, he meant white gay men. She connects his works to the lack of advocacy for gay men of colour and lesbians of any race. Honestly, this book was incredible and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a book on early gay rights and how it's always been and should always be connected to anti-racism and anti-colonialism.