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mbenshirreffs's review
Fascinating cast of characters living out their lives in a fascinating time/place. 4 stars as a history book. 1 star as a novel.
rdhuff's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eavans's review
4.0
This book wasn't exactly what I thought I'd get (like everyone else has said in reviews, there is very little "novel"), but I like nonfiction/history books so it didn't bother me too much. I, unfortunately, found most of the parts with Rathenau dry. I pushed through, and only skimmed like 2 pages, but man does this book give way to being boring easily. I liked the second half of the book more than the first (maybe because I got used to Duberman's style, maybe it was the perilous rise of the right), and the only parts I really lost myself in was the Hirschfeld sections, and I wish there was more of them, no offense to Harry Kessler.
It wasn't bad though, if a bit boring, and I'm really glad I read it. Even if Duberman's prose feels a bit juvenile (which I don't blame him for, coming from decades of history work), I did find myself in the minds of the men and began to understand who they were as people. This is especially true of Magnus Hirschfeld, who I'm so glad I was introduced biographically to by the book (what a cool, cool, modern guy). The transition from traditional history to prose was a bit awkward at times and the prose never really came alive for me, but I mean heck — the subject manner is niche and probably the more interesting biographies of these men.
So for that, it's four stars. I wish more books showed history in this capacity to bring it alive for readers and even if this book fell short of it, the passion was there. Depending on my mood, I'd maybe even read it again.
It wasn't bad though, if a bit boring, and I'm really glad I read it. Even if Duberman's prose feels a bit juvenile (which I don't blame him for, coming from decades of history work), I did find myself in the minds of the men and began to understand who they were as people. This is especially true of Magnus Hirschfeld, who I'm so glad I was introduced biographically to by the book (what a cool, cool, modern guy). The transition from traditional history to prose was a bit awkward at times and the prose never really came alive for me, but I mean heck — the subject manner is niche and probably the more interesting biographies of these men.
So for that, it's four stars. I wish more books showed history in this capacity to bring it alive for readers and even if this book fell short of it, the passion was there. Depending on my mood, I'd maybe even read it again.
dostojevskijs's review
3.0
"I have the common sense!" the man shoots back. "Society tells women that they're incapable of understanding math and science, but that doesn't make it true - look at Marie Curie!"
It does feel a bit weird to have my quote for this book be about feminism rather than LGBT as it is mostly about gay history. But it also feels right - because the most important thing this book has taught me is that both feminism and gay rights were topics way before Stonewall - something we easily forget since the general history media tends to act like LGBT movements and hell, LGBT people, popped into history with the Stonewall riots. Now, I've always known it wasn't the case but it's always nice when books like Jews Queers Germans actually discuss the early LGBT movements.
The book is a weird mix of a novel and a history book, which makes me reculant to claim it as too much of a source when it comes to the non-fiction of it all - but there is no question that I was taught a lot about things during my read. Not just about the actually flourising LGBT culture in Germany before WWII but also LGBT historical figures that I at the most knew by name, like Hirschfeld.
It was an interesting read, and a really interesting view into the LGBT movements of the late 19th century and early 20th century - especially as Germany lies relatively close both culturally and politically. I don't know. The mix of non-fiction and fiction makes me a bit unsure how to view the book, but it is nonetheless a good read for its LGBT history.
It does feel a bit weird to have my quote for this book be about feminism rather than LGBT as it is mostly about gay history. But it also feels right - because the most important thing this book has taught me is that both feminism and gay rights were topics way before Stonewall - something we easily forget since the general history media tends to act like LGBT movements and hell, LGBT people, popped into history with the Stonewall riots. Now, I've always known it wasn't the case but it's always nice when books like Jews Queers Germans actually discuss the early LGBT movements.
The book is a weird mix of a novel and a history book, which makes me reculant to claim it as too much of a source when it comes to the non-fiction of it all - but there is no question that I was taught a lot about things during my read. Not just about the actually flourising LGBT culture in Germany before WWII but also LGBT historical figures that I at the most knew by name, like Hirschfeld.
It was an interesting read, and a really interesting view into the LGBT movements of the late 19th century and early 20th century - especially as Germany lies relatively close both culturally and politically. I don't know. The mix of non-fiction and fiction makes me a bit unsure how to view the book, but it is nonetheless a good read for its LGBT history.
late_stranger's review
5.0
This book is a deliberate blending of traditional history and novel forms - it follows a biographical type of plot, though encompassing about four main subjects, while imparted a great deal of the background information that informs and shapes the people in question. It reads like an incredibly engaging popular history book with interludes of dialogue. Duberman quotes heavily from diaries, and there are a few notable scenes where he presents precious little of the small details, in a way that feels very respectful of feelings that were not and could not be recorded, and thus cannot be reconstructed in narrative form. Though this leaves the reader somewhat detached from crucial moments, it also reminds one of the realness of the people involved, and prevents the complete novelisation of the events in question.
The topic and time period are also fascinating and I'm glad to have learned so much about it.
The topic and time period are also fascinating and I'm glad to have learned so much about it.
pqlibrarian's review
4.0
well - researched: yes
interesting topic: yes
Unfortunately, I was in the mood for a novel-type story but what was delivered was something that reads so much like non-fiction that I checked the back for end-notes.
Not a bad story, just not what I was looking for.
interesting topic: yes
Unfortunately, I was in the mood for a novel-type story but what was delivered was something that reads so much like non-fiction that I checked the back for end-notes.
Not a bad story, just not what I was looking for.
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