Reviews (32)

The Confession
I know that a lot of people in the gay community do not think that James McGreevey should be classified as a hero.But as a gay man who struggled with trying to be the "Best Little Boy in Town", I can emphasize with him.Trying to live in a straight world all the while knowing that you are different takes a tremendous toll on your personality and your self worth.
The Confession Jim McGreevey
All of New Jersey and the country were probably anticipating the release of former Governor Jim Mcgreevey's book. Some of the hype may have been due to the scandal involving his sexual encounters. I am completing the book and am very impressed with the wealth of information included.
The people have lost a great man
Isn't it sad that we dispose of gay people like they were garbage once it is found out that someone is gay?Governor McGreevey was an excellent politician, with a keen intellect.Who knows what good he could have done for the people of this country had he stayed in politics?Instead, we force people like this to resign.This is a great loss to society.Many gay and lesbian people have great gifts to offer and yet...we throw them out with the bath water.It is our loss, not their's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Gay politicians    6. Governors    7. Homosexuality    8. New Jersey    9. New Jersey - State Government    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Political    12. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political    14. Biography: general    15. USA   

Reviews (35)

wish I had gotten it at the library
This work was well-drawn, as is all of Bechdel's work.It was also incredibly boring, kind of aimless, self-absorbed catharsis.I also thought we'd get to know more about her father's life, thoughts, feelings...along with hers.
Not your typical family. Terrific drawings.

What a fabulous find
I stumbled into this book and couldn't be happier about it.I knew nothing about Alison Bechdel other than what I read in the author's blurb on the dust cover so I certainly wasn't brought to the book by the lesbian aspect.Nor had I ever read a memoir graphic so that wasn't a hook either.
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Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Bechdel, Alison,    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cartoonists    7. Comic books, strips, etc    8. Fiction - General    9. Fine Arts    10. General    11. Graphic Novels    12. Graphic Novels - General    13. Lesbian Studies    14. Personal Memoirs    15. United States    16. Comics & Graphic Novels / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Military    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    7. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

There is a passage early in Augusten Burroughs's harrowing and highly entertaining memoir, Read more

Reviews (539)

Mental Illness Is Not Funny
I picked this book up after I had read that the author had been declared by some media outlet as one of the "fifteen funniest people in America."
Yes...some of it really is funny...
...But!! Not enough to grab me by the collar!I agree with others here who said they liked some of the aspects of this "memoir", save for the disturbing sex scenes. I do believe it's hard to take in when a 13 year old is having a very adult relationship with a 32 year old. I found nothing tasteful about this. Nor did I see much humor in this. However, to be fair, there are very funny moments here. Love the scenes with the shrink's family. But by page 125 or so--the writing gets a bit sloppy and the story begins to lose its muster.
This book is an act of self gratification
I bought this on a whim because a few people had told me it was "hysterical" and it was a best-seller, so I figured it must be pretty good.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Amherst    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Burroughs, Augusten    9. Childhood Memoir    10. Childhood and youth    11. Gay Studies    12. Homes and haunts    13. Homosexuality    14. Literary    15. Massachusetts    16. Novelists, American    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (5)

Good Book but why not do one on someone that came out before they were big
This was a really good book.I really enjoyed the part about Mark's experience with being on the various committees and his speaking career.It was interesting to read something about an athlete who talked about other things he did besides just performing the sport itself.
new low for the Olympics, Gay Games & OutGames
Mark did a fairly good job in destroying any respect I had for the people responsible for putting together the Olympics, GayGames and the newly formed OutGames.His story was quite interesting and for the most part well written.I don't know if it was his intention but I agonized over all the frustrating in-fighting at Olympics/Gay Games/OutGames that was depicted in graphic detail.I was saddened that our gay brothers and sisters could not come together and cause one games series for us.Mark did a great job making me feel the pain we all go through with the anti-gay bigotry.I also enjoyed the way he showed the upward progression of acceptance from the time he was a teen to his 30s.I applaud Mark for this contribution and recommend the book.

Straight Up and Out Talk
Mark Tewksbury is an inspiring person and a well-admired athlete of the Olympics. I'll be honest and say I was approaching this book from a shallow viewpoint. Though he was a swimmer, not a diver, it seemed like his "coming out" story would just be a pale comparison to that of Greg Louganis.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Gay Studies    5. Homosexuality    6. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    7. Sports - General    8. Swimming    9. Swimming And Diving    10. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Feminism & Feminist Theory    7. Feminists    8. Incest victims    9. Political    10. Political activists    11. Specific Groups - Lesbians    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography: general    15. Social Science / Gender Studies    16. USA   

Reviews (18)

very thorough biography
I really enjoyed this book.It's very detailed, but an easy and enjoyable read.

Stunning and Melancholic to the Bone!
I am almost completing "Capote: A Biography" by Gerald Clarke and my head is still reeling from the after effects. I loved the book. I haven't seen the movie yet but I know that it is bleak considering the book is not a light read either. Capote's life has been contained marvelously in this book. It has character and a lot of substance.
Definitive Biography of Capote
This book is thick and painstakingly detailed.I feel like I know everything about Truman Capote and everyone he ever knew.That may not be completely true, but that is how I feel after reading this book.
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Subjects:  1. 1924-    2. 20th century    3. Authors, American    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Capote, Truman,    9. Literary    10. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    11. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (15)

Elegant as silk, sharp as a scalpel
Kenji Yoshino's book manages a difficult feat: it is simultaneously elegant and hard-hitting. Yoshino, a professor at Yale Law School, blends memoir and legal history as he charts the changing attitude of American society toward homosexuality. Formerly, gays were treated as if they had a deadly disease--if they were not willing to change, forcible means such as lobotomy and electroshock therapy were at hand to "convert" them. Next, they were left alone as long as they were willing to hide their sexuality. The riots of Stonewall and the AIDS plague were watersheds in changing this attitude, as gay men and women demanded to be recognized as such AND treated as human beings.
Insightful and much needed
Yoshino is one of the brightest stars in civil rights discussion. I found his book insightful and even necessary for any real progress to be made for civil rights for all people.

What a career!
I found the personal coming out to his parents story very moving; it brought tears to my eyes.I also loved the epilogue and the story of the blue star.But, in between, what a lot of navel-gazing and counting of angels on the head of a pin.I'm a lawyer, but I admit I got lost in all the differentiations and attempts to focus the covering/reverse-covering analysis on each type of discrimination.Then, halfway-through, I learn he was only in law school in the 1990s.I've been practicing longer than that and he's the Harvard professor!(I realize that's a comment on me.)This guy has really carved out a self-referential niche for himself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asians In The U.S.    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Studies - Asian American Studies    7. Gay lawyers    8. Gay rights    9. General    10. Japanese American lawyers    11. Lawyers & Judges    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Political    14. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    15. Practice Of Law    16. United States    17. Current Events / General   

Reviews (8)

"Perfect families, indeed".
This book is about "perfect families". Ms Heche, and the other Christian families referred to in the book, mostly come from "perfect families". Families in which personal needs and desires are basically subsummed to church teachings and expectations.Over and over, the women attested to the fact that "how can my husband/my son/my daughter be gay", when "I always thought we were a 'perfect family'".
The Truth Comes Out
Written honestly, from the heart, not sparing the details of a heartbroken wife and mother. Appreciated it.

A journey that doesn't end....thank God
Begin to cross the canyon and challenge yourself to walk as Christ walked. If you've felt torn about your witness as it relates to the homosexual community this book is a great help in getting your faith and your mind in the RIGHT place. Nancy's journey is both inspiring, challenging, and helpful for all of us who need some mentoring in this area of our witness. The answer to the question "who knows...." is WE KNOW; this book is for such a time as this....TODAY!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Christianity    5. Ex-gay movement    6. Heche, Nancy    7. Homosexuality    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Religious aspects    10. Women   

Reviews (5)

profound effect
This book is incredible and really displays the obstacles that many people have to overcome just to be an individual in this country.LOVED IT!

An valuable AND enjoyable memoir for parents and educators
I found this book to be a wonderful story, which demonstrates the horror that many gay children face as they pass through our school systems.With adequate education and staff training, there is hope that future generations will not have to face the same conflicts of prior generations.Through the support of Kevin's mother, Kevin was fortunate to have the chance to continue his education.And the book makes one realize how fortunate we are to have Kevin along with many others in this country fighting homophobia for our future generations.This book was truly enjoyable as well as very informative.I recommend it very highly.

From a bigoted family to a diversity leader
Mama's Boy, Preacher's Son
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Gay Studies    7. Gay men    8. Gay students    9. Gay teachers    10. Homosexuality    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (36)

a great memoir...
I share many reviewer's sentiments that this book was primarily a fun, witty, hilarious tale.I would not, however, just check it off as a good beach book with little depth.
Clever, witty, and bizarre
I'm typically hesitant to pick up a gay novel or memoir. The others I've read tend to exist for no other reason than their few explicit sex and drug scenes. I find that the words in between are just filler -- poorly crafted filler at that.
Captivating
I thougt this book was great! I keep passing it around my circle of friends and they all love it too. It was well written and very funny. He did a great job of letting you into a place most of us will never know. I was a little upset with the ending (don't read on if you haven't read the book) because I felt as if he still loves Jack and it says he is in a new relationship. Maybe he does. However, I would recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1969-    2. Alternative Sexual Behavior    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. General    9. Kilmer-Purcell, Josh,    10. New York    11. New York (State)    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    14. Transvestites    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (8)

I love women
I had been putting off this book for about 4 years and I finally read it. I was putting it off because I read the first chapter and it was dry. I have to tell you that it gets better down the road. Audre is not just talking about lesbianism, she is talking about being a woman and general. You can get good relationship advice by NOT following what she did in her relationships. I was exposed to lesbianism of 20-30 years ago in this book. It's so different now and for women (of all sexualities and colors) this book is for you.
A Memorable Portrait of a Difficult Life Shaped By Zami
In "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name: A Biomythography," Audre Lorde writes that "[e]very woman I have ever loved has left her print upon me." Thus, "Zami" serves as a window into Lorde's experiences with other women-especially her mother-who informed and shaped her life from childhood into adulthood within the context of romantic links and friendships, especially during turbulent and conflicting periods in American history. For example, Lorde describes a difficult childhood at school and at home during the poverty ridden 1930s. Especially revealing about this moment in time is Lorde's fascination with her mother's strength and courage amidst racial discrimination-which, according to Lorde, went unnamed. As a result, she grew up in a world where difference was much more assumed rather than defined and interrogated. Fascinating, but also commonplace
A strong voice in both African-American women's literature and lesbian literature, Audre Lorde is likely someone as alien to my experience as anyone could possibly be. Well, at least someone who was born and raised in the U.S. At first, I found this biography fascinating, but it began to tire me about halfway through. I don't know what I was expecting, but I felt like everything was commonplace, rather than distinct and unique.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Feminist fiction    4. Fiction    5. Lesbian Studies    6. Lesbians    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Specific Groups - Lesbians    10. Biography & Autobiography   

Reviews (41)

real people with dirt on their feet
If you're sick of cute little stories that follow some godforsaken formula, you might get some juices flowing with this book. I can count on my fingers all the books I've read that resulted in what I would call "an experience." This is one of them.

An unforgettable reading experience...
Upon being assigned this novel to read as part of my undergraduate coursework, I of course rolled my eyes and sighed...naively assuming that this too would be another boring and mundane reading requirement. Never could I have imagined that not only would I NOT be able to put this book down, but I would also be pleasantly haunted by this marvelous novel.
An Eye-Opening Life Story
Before Night Falls is provocative, engaging, and eloquently written. The beginning is a harsh introducion with Arenas near his death bed, then starts from his earliest childhood memories in Cuba and moves forward forty years to his life in New York. Style-wise, I love the way this book is composed in fragments. Some of them resemble traditional chapters, but other take on a single subject, such as "the earth" or "witches," and briefly examine his relationship to that subject. Different lights are shed on his identity throughout the book: his sexuality, his politics, and his art. Of the these three factors, politics seemed to be more of a backdrop; an ever-looming presence that was out to combat his free spirit. Arenas's life was one that lacked routine, which is likely one reason this is a captivating autobiography. Aside from his work at the National Library, there wasn't a daily agenda of hopping from one institution to the next, as seen in American life. He followed the heat; he chased his passions.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Caribbean & Latin American    5. Literary    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    8. Biography & Autobiography / Literary    9. Biography: general    10. Cuba    11. English    12. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (51)

A honest and spiritual book.All Christians should read this.
Stranger at the Gate was the firstbook I had ever read dealing with the struggles of a gay Christian.It is a touching,wonderful, difficult story about Mel White's struggle to come to terms with his sexual orientation. Anyone who is open to the idea that God loves everyone and deals with people through grace will appreciate the honesty of this book.It makes one think and re-examine old prejudices.Those who are close minded and unable to listen to a viewpointthat may be different from the traditional thinking will find this story offensive. Whatever your thinking, this is a fascinating story well worth reading.

Great for those questioning gays and christianity.
Stranger at the Gate is an excellent read for those who are gay, and have a Christian upbringing. The first person narrative about how a gay man comes out of the closet, and how he reconciles the homophobic stance of the conservative, fundamentalist Christian church is eye-opening.
homophobes are bigots
That is the message of tolerance from many of the reviewers. The premise being, if you are a Christian and believe the Scriptures that were given by God that plainly teach homosexuality is sin, not an "alternate lifestyle," you must be a homophobe. So, I am not tolerant when I call sin sin, but a sodomite is tolerant when he calls those who disagree with him bigots and homophobes.
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Subjects:  1. 1940-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Christianity    6. Clergy    7. Conservatism    8. Evangelicalism    9. Religious aspects    10. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    11. United States    12. Universal Fellowship of Metrop    13. Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches    14. White, Mel,    15. Biography & Autobiography / Literary    16. Christian social thought & activity    17. Gay studies (Gay men)    18. USA    19. White, Mel   

Reviews (20)

Freddie Mercury handbook
Most complete biography of Freddie Mercury that I've seen. It really takes you inside Freddie's world. After reading it, I almost felt like I knew him. A must have for any Queen fan.

Good Read
I enjoyed reading the life of Freddie Mercury on the stage and in his personal life.He was very generous to those who were close to him.

All in All pretty good
This is a pretty good book in my opinion. Although it does contain unusual grammar that bothered me some. This book explains a lot about Freddie's behavior off stage, outrageous nights, ect... I must warn those of you who want to learn about his childhood, the start of Queen, previous bands, ect... This book does not contain this content what so ever. If you want to know about this stuff, I advise that you buy the DVD called
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Composers & Musicians - General    5. Composers & Musicians - Rock    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    7. Genres & Styles - Rock    8. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    9. Biography: film, television & music    10. Rock & pop   

Reviews (18)

Made a PROFOUND difference in my son's perception of himself
These are the exact words my gay son wrote to me after reading this book, The Velvet Rage:
Life Changing Book for Me
I had reviewed all the comments posted here before I purchased the book because I usually like to get some general ideas of books I am interested in. After receiving and reviewing my copy, I'd like to say this is a great book. This book is very valuable for me personally.
The Velvet Rage:Overcoming the pain of growing up gay in a straight man's world
Easy read.Go flow to it.Lot's of new thoughts on common but often overlooked symtoms.The many real world examples used helped keep thoughts clear. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gender Studies    3. General    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Biography: general    7. Gay studies (Gay men)   

Editorial Review

We've all got our idiosyncrasies when it comes to writing--a special chair we have to sit in, a certain kind of yellow paper we absolutely must use. To create this tremendously affecting memoir, Jean-Dominique Bauby used the only tool available to him--his left eye--with which he blinked out its short chapters, letter by letter. Two years ago, Bauby, then the 43-year-old editor-in-chief of Read more

Reviews (92)

A book close to my heart
The book has been the best book I have ever read.
Where does one get the strenght to carry on?
A marvelous book in which a man tells his personal experiences and thoughts in dealing with a stroke that left him completely paralysed,speechless and able only to move one eyelid. It is amazing that he found a way to tell his story and it will show the reader what a slender thread it is by which we all cling on to life. It is a wonderful moving read and will surely leave one with much to think about. I also read many of the very personal reviews that customers have written.
Unbelievably beautiful
With every page, every sentence, every word....every letter....I try to put myself in Bauby's stiff-backed wheelchair and imagine the pain (physical, mental, spiritual and emotional) he was going through at the time. And you know what? I probably didn't even scratch the surface.
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Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. Bauby, Jean-Dominique,    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Brain    7. Cerebrovascular Diseases    8. Cerebrovascular disease    9. Diseases    10. France    11. Gay Studies    12. Health    13. Patients    14. Personal narratives    15. Social Science    16. Specific Groups - General    17. Bauby, Jean-Dominique    18. Biography & Autobiography / General    19. Memoir/Autobiography   

Reviews (1)

Glaser's story brings humor and hope to gay Christians
Chris Glaser's book poinently and beautifully describes his struggle to find a place in the church as a gay man.Reading Chris' reflections on his own and the church's struggle with his sexuality and with the place ofhomosexuality within the church was an healing expereince for me.And histheology is good too!A must for any gay Christian. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Christian Sexual Ethics    3. Christian gays    4. Christianity - History - General    5. General    6. Glaser, Chris    7. Homosexuality    8. Presbyterian Church    9. Presbyterians    10. Reference    11. Religion - Socialissues    12. Religious aspects    13. United States    14. Christian social thought & activity    15. Sex & sexuality