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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
listened to most of it as an audiobook and then reread the physical book - quite interesting to learn about the history of these people and why they are not great people but sometimes the language was a little heavy which made it hard to appreciate the stories
4.5
A really fun read. Combines biography with critical analysis of the development of cultural identities and formulations, particularly in relation to capitalism and other political and national movements.
A really fun read. Combines biography with critical analysis of the development of cultural identities and formulations, particularly in relation to capitalism and other political and national movements.
informative
slow-paced
Such a contrasting book. Chapters that inform whilst others just made me angry and some just didn’t seem to go anywhere.
I am not sure what to make of it. There are some chapters that show that a choice was there and that the author didn’t agree with the choice. Others that the times were less enlightened, but again that an incorrect choice was made. I am not sure the choice was that clear. Some of the people in this were not as brave as the author would like, but it doesn’t give an understanding to that person simply criticises them.
I am not sure I would advise people to put the effort in. It is too much effort for the amount of gain
I am not sure what to make of it. There are some chapters that show that a choice was there and that the author didn’t agree with the choice. Others that the times were less enlightened, but again that an incorrect choice was made. I am not sure the choice was that clear. Some of the people in this were not as brave as the author would like, but it doesn’t give an understanding to that person simply criticises them.
I am not sure I would advise people to put the effort in. It is too much effort for the amount of gain
Very little value in this one, unless you count in judging historical figures by modern standards as something of value. The authors are mounted on such a high moral horse that their preaches hardly reach the ears of their lowly readers.
I found this to be a very interesting read and it introduced different historical personalities to me.
Ever since high school, I’ve self-identified as a history nerd. After listening to a few podcast episodes with the same title, I was super stoked to read this book. And while it was interesting, I found myself bored on more than one occasion. I think I was expecting more critical commentary on the historical analysis, but instead it was a thorough and very well-researched account of histories otherwise untold.
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“The anecdote is surely recognisable to all of us who, as a joyful child, unknowingly overstepped the barriers of gender presentation, and were greeted without mercy by the regime that enforces them with its most potent weapon, shame.”
“The past is still with us; the revolutions of the queer future beckon.”
“There is power in being the king who sits upon the throne, but sometimes there is more power in being the throne on whom the king sits.”
“It is interesting here to think about homosexuality as a path towards anti-colonial alliance.”
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“The anecdote is surely recognisable to all of us who, as a joyful child, unknowingly overstepped the barriers of gender presentation, and were greeted without mercy by the regime that enforces them with its most potent weapon, shame.”
“The past is still with us; the revolutions of the queer future beckon.”
“There is power in being the king who sits upon the throne, but sometimes there is more power in being the throne on whom the king sits.”
“It is interesting here to think about homosexuality as a path towards anti-colonial alliance.”
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book is better as a podcast—there was too much variability in coverage of each of the subjects, and there didn’t seem to be a central point or arc tying them together. Some chapters read like Wikipedia bios and abruptly ended there, without providing historical context or significance. Kudos to the authors on the selections of the bad gays and the compilation convenience, but it would have been great to really dig and connect the threads just waiting to be explored.
An interesting dive into a variety of queer men (and Margaret Mead) and their complicated lives, which have helped shape the world as we know it today. While I’m not sure if all these subjects all fully qualify as “bad” gays, I do appreciate the book highlights the darker side of queerness without just talking about serial killers, which are thankfully omitted. If you want to learn more about gray gay history, check it out!
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced