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okays1331's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.75
This book is long but it is packed with information and the stories of people that fought for progress in the US gay rights struggles starting in the 1940s and 50s up through 2014.
I was not expecting to be hit so hard emotionally in a book like this. I ended up crying a couple times but also took tremendous hope and fight from the stories of success and the sea change of the American mindset.
This book focuses mainly on the political fights and less on cultural elements though there are still plenty of colorful people. The noon won’t tell you much about the leaders of Stonewall or the ballroom scene or anything like that. What you get is the activists (both suits and streets) and their fights with local, state and national government organizations to make change.
I was not expecting to be hit so hard emotionally in a book like this. I ended up crying a couple times but also took tremendous hope and fight from the stories of success and the sea change of the American mindset.
This book focuses mainly on the political fights and less on cultural elements though there are still plenty of colorful people. The noon won’t tell you much about the leaders of Stonewall or the ballroom scene or anything like that. What you get is the activists (both suits and streets) and their fights with local, state and national government organizations to make change.
catherinemarie's review against another edition
narration was very monotone, so like… not the books fault. will try again in written form
wordconnoisseur's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
I did learn a lot from this book, and I would say if you’re looking for an in depth overview of the mainstream gay and lesbian movement, this book is for you. If you’re looking for a more intersectional account of the LGBTQ+ movement, look elsewhere. I agree with other comments that this is an assimilative history. I also think that in the earlier sections, specifically Stoneeall, Faderman does mention the tension between the radical vs assimilative factions of the gay rights movements. But this analysis fades in the later sections of the book. Faderman doesn’t mention the trans rights movement often. I felt that the final chapters were a little rush.
mssunnyskies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
seabirdlorna's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.5
“We started with nothing, and look what we have wrought!”
danicapage's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
This is 816 pages or 29 h 17m. So to say it took some time to get through this one is a massive understatement.
Other reviewers have discussed the criticisms re lack of meaningful inclusion of trans people and also the strange lens she chose to portray the Stonewall Riots. This also failed to include coverage of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ folks at times and is very assimilationist-focused.
However, as an assimilationist LGB history, I found this to be very informative and thorough (again in that viewpoint). It covers a variety of topics and shows you the timelines of how understanding, culture, and laws evolved in order to grant LGBTQIA+ people more rights in the US/U.S. society.
If the author had presented a more limited scope in her efforts and coverage (mainly that it was LGB-focused and assimilationist focused,) I think that would have alleviated many people's criticisms (other than the lack of racial and diverse socioeconomic claims.)
I have yet to find an LGBTQIA+ history that I've loved, though I have read a few.
For an assimilationist LGB book, this one is well done. The writing is thorough. However, the lack of broader representation was noticeable. I did learn a ton, but that is a major failing of this one. I'm glad I read it, but I will keep searching for a better history.
Other reviewers have discussed the criticisms re lack of meaningful inclusion of trans people and also the strange lens she chose to portray the Stonewall Riots. This also failed to include coverage of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ folks at times and is very assimilationist-focused.
However, as an assimilationist LGB history, I found this to be very informative and thorough (again in that viewpoint). It covers a variety of topics and shows you the timelines of how understanding, culture, and laws evolved in order to grant LGBTQIA+ people more rights in the US/U.S. society.
If the author had presented a more limited scope in her efforts and coverage (mainly that it was LGB-focused and assimilationist focused,) I think that would have alleviated many people's criticisms (other than the lack of racial and diverse socioeconomic claims.)
I have yet to find an LGBTQIA+ history that I've loved, though I have read a few.
For an assimilationist LGB book, this one is well done. The writing is thorough. However, the lack of broader representation was noticeable. I did learn a ton, but that is a major failing of this one. I'm glad I read it, but I will keep searching for a better history.
cloudss's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
LESBIANSSSS!! american LGbt history from 1950s onward, even though this book is a brink, could still be longer. very well put together. lot on military tbh. colorado amendment 2?? 1990s scary