Reviews (3)

A secret power that Gays, lesbians and other minorities utilize!
As a gay man, the cover photo on this revised edition (by Chantel Regnault)
Admirable Effort
A L-I-T-T-L-E too academic for me! However, I admire the effort and would like to read more about queer families.

Families We Choose
I found Kath Westons book "Families We Choose:lesbians, gays, kinship" to be a very interesting and informative book.This book brought many issues to the table regarding the idea of a family.What is afamily?family is not solely limited to biology. This book explored theidea of kinship in lesbian and gay relationships and the family that isformed within this community.Also, the difference and the importance of"biological" family vs. chosen family and which becomes or ismore important based on acceptance.This book explores issues concerningthe lesbian and gay community in regards to raising children and creatingfamilies of their own in the nineties incorporating both biological andchosen families. In overview, The idea of kinship is culturally relativeand it is suseptible to change.The word kinship and the meaing of familyis constantly being challenged and changed to incorporate and include thosepreviously unseen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family Relationships    2. Gay Studies    3. Gender Studies    4. Homosexuality    5. Lesbian Studies    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Anthropology    9. Family & relationships    10. Gay & Lesbian studies    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    12. USA   

Reviews (2)

Rewarding
Yes, the text is dense, but it is no more so than the tradition the author is working within.Edelman's use of Zizek to critique the dominant ideology of futurity / the symbolic child expands and redirects queer theory.The book is written for specialists.If you're interested in the field but are struggling with the text, first read Zizek's "The Sublime Object of Ideology."
Important, but...
Lee Edleman's book poses important questions for all of us about "queerness" and resistance to our presumedly "normal" cultural investments in a redemptive future figured most vividly in the notion of the "child."I admire the work being done here, and in particular the intellectual chutzpah it takes to dismantle this dominant ideological framework while taking on Baudrillard, Butler and other formidable thinkers.It is, however, unfortunate that Edelman seems to have become enchanted as much by his own linguistic cleverness as by the important ideas he sets out to explore.
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Subjects:  1. Gay & Lesbian    2. Gay Studies    3. Gender Studies    4. Homosexuality    5. Philosophy    6. Political aspects    7. Queer theory    8. Semiotics & Theory    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Films, cinema    12. Gay & Lesbian studies    13. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory   

Reviews (1)

Overpowering Foucault...
Sara Mills' text on Michel Foucault is part of a recent series put out by the Routledge Press, designed under the general editorial direction of Robert Eaglestone (Royal Holloway, University of London), to explore the most recent and exciting ideas in intellectual development during the past century or so. To this end, figures such as Martin Heidegger, Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jacques Derrida, Paul Ricouer and other influential thinkers in critical thought are highlighted in the series, planned to include more than 21 volumes in all.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1926-1984    2. European - French    3. Foucault, Michel    4. Foucault, Michel,    5. Gay & Lesbian    6. History & Surveys - Modern    7. Literary Criticism    8. Philosophy    9. Semiotics & Theory    10. French    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / French    12. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Reviews (1)

recommendable book
This is an interesting and readable book, but mainly concentrated in the yearning & admiration of Northern Europeans for Italia et Graecia. I was expected from the title a more comprehensive survey-book on themediterranean male/male love relationships. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. European literature    2. Gay & Lesbian    3. History and criticism    4. Homosexuality in literature    5. Literary Criticism    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Mediterranean Region in litera    8. 20th century    9. Cultural studies    10. Europe    11. Gay & Lesbian studies    12. History / General    13. Literary studies: general    14. The Arts    15. c 1700 to c 1800    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Gender Bender Fun (and race, too)
I have a confession - I have not actually read the book yet, merely heard Prof. Doniger present the topic at Radcliffe.But if it's anything like her other ones, I expect an open, intriguing, and profound look at people pretending to be people pretending to be who they are.(those are her words, not mine!)
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Ritual & Practice    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. Impersonation in literature    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Self in literature    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    11. Literary studies: general    12. Religion & Theology | Mythology & Folklore    13. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (5)

Stories of Transformation
This book is a marvelously well selected collection of brief personal accounts of women who have loved both men and women, and who explain why they have felt more comfortable loving women.
A Great Resource Full of Heartfelt Stories
This is a book I have been telling people about for the last couple months. As a writer of lesbian novels myself, I have been constantly surprised to discover how many women seem to be living double lives: wife and mother by day--secret, internet-accessing, coming-out lesbian by night. When women email me to confide and ask advice (which I feel inadequate at giving!), I refer them to this book knowing that the stories of the women in FROM WEDDED WIFE TO LESBIAN LIFE will give them hope and ideas. This is a great help....
I was leaving my husband and starting a relationship with a woman when I met Deb Abbott online about 5 years ago. She told me about her book and I ran out to buy it. I saw myself in so many of the stories, and found that I wasn't the only one going through my situation. That relationship ended badly after 4 years, and I am now with a woman that is in the same position I was. I am re-reading Deb's book, and my girlfriend is also reading it. It is a bible to us. I can't thank Deb enough for writing this amazing book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family    2. Family relationships    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    5. Lesbian Studies    6. Lesbians    7. Literary Criticism    8. Psychology    9. Social conditions    10. Sociology    11. United States   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Gay men in mass media    4. Gender Studies    5. Lesbian Studies    6. Lesbians in mass media    7. Mass media    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian   

Editorial Review

The history of gay male erotic images is largely undocumented. Even when the material has been available, "good taste" and "common decency"--those concepts used to stop all talk about sex--have prevented their display. Thomas Waugh's full-length, profusely illustrated study is a breakthrough book that has information and analysis enough for three books. Thoughtful, smart, and well-written, Read more

Reviews (2)

Amazing Book
This book collects the amazing research the author has done on physique photography, magazines and gay porn of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. It is great stuff, presented with a smart and detailed analysis. The only downside is the format, a weird and pricey mix of scholarly tome and coffeetable book. With the boom in "visual culture" and gay studies, it's a pity Cambridge has never brought this out in paper: it would be a surefire hit.

WOW
This is truly a great book..especially for vintage gay porn buffs...Its written and produces with an college text book feel.... whichon one hand.. is good.. gives it a lot of depth.. and smarts.. but.. with the $75 price tag.. i was a bit dissapointed.. was hoping for some really great quality photos.. while the photo's quality arent bad at all. quite clear and sharp. was hoping for something along the lines of art book quality...so ifyou looking for an art coffee table book.. this really isnt one.. but if you r looking for indepth analysis (still with loads of pictures) of early gay porn.. then this is for U!!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cinema/Film: Book    2. Film & Video - General    3. Gay Studies    4. Gay erotic photography    5. Gay men    6. General    7. History    8. Homosexuality in motion pictur    9. Homosexuality in motion pictures    10. Photography Of Specific Subjects    11. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    12. Portraits    13. Special Subjects In Motion Pictures    14. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    15. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (1)

A difficult read
The most interesting sections of this work are the earliest chapters; Kristeva seems to run out of steam and stop abruptly once she begins to discuss foreignness and strangeness in contemporary culture. The writing is also very abstract (perhaps more so because it is a translation); this particular book is probably only interesting to a student of literature who is critically concerned with the figure of the Stranger in fiction and legends.I don't recommend picking this book up simply out of curiousity. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay & Lesbian    2. General    3. History & Theory - General    4. Psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychoanalysis   

Reviews (8)

2 in 20 is a Must
This book is a MUST for any teen who is questioning, just coming out to themselves, or don't have many other GLBT friends to relate to. I read this when I came out to myself almost 2 years ago, and it was an enormous breath of fresh air. FINALLY- some thing I could relate to. I've shared this book w/ my other gay and bisexual friends, and they love it too. It's a perfect "coming out" gift. :)It's worth every penny and share it with your friends!

You are not alone
A friend of mine was going through a tough time in college because he was starting to "come out" for the first time.He was terrified that nobody would accept him anymore.I ordered this book for him and he really enjoyed reading it (I read it as well).It helps to read about people who are going through the same thing you are.The stories are all real; some are happy & some are not, but that's true life.This book had a positive effect on my friend & I'm sure it will have a positive effect on you as well!

One of the best books for GLBTQ youth
This is a must read if you are questioning, or you know that you are lesbigaytrans.The positive outcome stories are reassuring, and there is a list of more resources at the end of the book. The list includes similar books, and I think there also is a list a groups that would be usefull. If this book sounds like it could help you, BUY IT!! You'll be GLAAD you did. (Pardon the pun) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. Gay teenagers    5. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    6. Homosexuality    7. Juvenile literature    8. Lesbian teenagers    9. Life Stages - Adolescence    10. Literary Criticism    11. United States    12. Gay & Lesbian studies    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Social Constructionist Delusion
Halperin's book highlights the absurdity of social constructionism.If homosexuals first appeared in the English speaking world when the word was first attested in 1892, then they must by that logic have appeared in the German speaking world in 1869, when Kertbeny coined the German equivalent.We homos also must have not yet appeared among speakers of such languages that do not yet have the term - even if some of those speakers know English.This exaggerated form of social constructionism ignores the habitual, exclusive sodomite known to medieval and early modern Europeans, as well as to the Greeks and Romans whose authors often satirized such queens in terms all too familiar today.
Academically Excellent Reference Book
David Halpern "is Professor of Literature in the School of Solid Compendium
This was given to me by a friend. I have found it to be indespensible in my readings as a great place to start looking for information on Greek Homosexuality. The bibliography is top-notch. Highly recommended for any historian or philosopher of the Greek era, and any gay person interested in the history of homosexuality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Gay & Lesbian    3. Gay Studies    4. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    5. Greece    6. History    7. History - General History    8. Homosexuality, Male    9. Social Science    10. Sodomy    11. Ancient Greece    12. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    13. Gay studies (Gay men)    14. History / Ancient / General    15. Social history   

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. History and criticism    5. Homosexuality and literature    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literature - Classics / Criticism    9. Social Issues - Homosexuality    10. Teenagers    11. United States    12. Young adult fiction, American    13. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    14. Literary studies: from c 1900 -    15. Literature of special Gay & Lesbian interest   

Subjects:  1. Gays    2. Homosexuality    3. Lesbians    4. Psychology    5. Social Science    6. Social Work    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. United States    10. Gay & Lesbian studies    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    12. Sexual behaviour    13. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (4)

Always the Novelist
The precursor to the, in comparision, pithy 'Lost in the Cosmos,' Message in a Bottle is less accessible than his later, more famous, book. However, Message... provides all of the necessary academic rigor that 'Lost in the Cosmos' lacks (not that LC is not a great book, it is). Essential Percy
A few of the essays in this collection make for somewhat dry reading (Percy even says so himself), but if wonder and enlightenment are your goals, then this is an extremely rewarding book.His insights on symbolicreasoning, the origins of mankind, Hellen Keller, Semioticism, and theincredible Delta Factor are invariably fresh and thought-provoking.Percyis really onto something here; he may have only scratched the surface, butwhat he has revealed has powerful implications for all of us.

A brilliant and relatively unknown work
This dense, well-written and extraordinary book is an excellent introduction to the works of a great 20th century thinker.In this collection of essays, Percy manages to confront some difficultphilosophical questions in an exciting and readable context.Percy wasfirst a novelist, and his writing is seldom inaccesible. He deals ineverything from religion to science, from literary theory to travel.Hisbest writing relates to theories of language and the human being.Yet likesome of the greatest X-Files episodes, Percy leaves many things unresolved,liminal, only suggested.Message in a Bottle is designed to stimulate thereader rather than fill them with useless information. I finished readingthis book with the desire to read it again, and whenever I see it on thebookshelf I am comforted by the thought that there are people in the worldwho think for themselves, and who have the courage to print what theythink. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Gay & Lesbian    3. General    4. Language and culture    5. Literary Collections    6. Literary Criticism    7. Literature - Classics / Criticism   

Editorial Review

When Daniel Mendelsohn was growing up, he "secretly imagined a place where all the people were other boys, and where all the stores and books and songs and movies and restaurants were by boys, about other boys. It would be a place where somehow the outside reality of the world that met your eyes and ears could finally be made to match the inner, hidden reality of what you knew yourself to be." And while he's found that place in Manhattan's Chelsea district, Mendelsohn has only one foot there--his other foot is in suburban New Jersey, where he acts as a masculine role model ("not exactly a father but a man who would be present") to the young son of a close friend. Read more

Reviews (30)

Dull and Pretentious
I'm always reluctant to write a nasty review as the reviewed book usually represents years of work for the author, but after suffering through this book I feel little sympathy. Mr. Mendelsohn wears his learning heavily and forces the weight on his innocent readers. The result is a bit like being forced to listen to the nasal blatherings of NPR's Michael Silverblatt for hours on end. Tedious, precious, and ultimately pointless, find a better use for your time.

An academic who writes.... and writes....and
This is in some ways a notable book, but to be brief (if blunt)- Mendelsohn resembles the sort of person who doesn't realize that his smooth chatter isn't the most fascinating of disquistions for his auditors, and while not exactly a bore he isn't really even the most fascinating person in the room. I suppose my unenthusiastic reaction to the book is due to the rather clumsy unfolding of his ideas, and the gloss he imposes upon them in order to make them seem less "studied" yet still worthy of a genuine scholar. Sometimes he seems merely shallow, and as a child of priviledge he can make one grow tired of some his rants, such as the one about his ancestor's experiences prior to the Holocaust that was published in the NY Times magazine. This is a man who will never tire of writing about himself- not a bad thing, but economically priviledged people in the heart of the establishment never seem quite so dynamic as they believe us to believe them. Not a towering intellect nor quite a great stylist, he is nevertheless an entertaining writer and, in small pieces, a charming guide through his own life. If only he were a bit more interestingly "elusive"...

SEDUCTIVE IN STYLE, CHALLENGING IN CONTENT
Perhaps the best thing I can say about this gorgeous and provocative book is that the author has crafted such movingly expressive arguments for his beliefs that even when I disagreed with those beliefs (for instance, his sense that sexual fidelity not worth making any personal sacrifices to maintain), I found myself taking a moment to question myself because I was so seduced by the beauty of his writing style that I almost felt compelled to agree with his content. This is a challenging work of art that, in the end, is less a broad social argument than one man's highly personal search for meaning in his own life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Gay & Lesbian    3. Gay Studies    4. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    5. Historical - U.S.    6. Homosexuality    7. Literary Criticism    8. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    9. Modern fiction    10. Social Science / Gay Studies   

Reviews (4)

A scholarly work for professionals, parents and friends.....
This brilliant work by 2 practicingManhattan psychoanalysts provides a comprehensive and integrative viewpoint on the controversial area of study. In a spirit of empathy, understanding and acceptance, the authors provide a scholarly piece on the biological and psychological perspective of homosexuality. Overall a very unique and informative book
I read this book with some anxiety being a college junior and not a psychologist or psychiatrist.I learned of it from my dad, a philosophy professor.I thought it was really superb and answered many question I had about homosexuality.For example, I am not gay and ever since the Matthew Shepard incident, I have been trying to understand why gay and lesbian people are the targets of hate crimes.It didn't seem to me that the motivation for hatred of gays is exactly the same as hatred for other minority groups."Sexual Orientation and Psychoanalysis" explains the way that the homophobia-particularly in men has its roots in childhood- particularly the last part of childhood.One point it stresses is that it often seems to be traced back to middle school years and is a special type of bullying.Going back to my own experience with schoolyard bullies when I was in 6th grade-this made a lot of sense.I also learned a lot about the different pathways for sexual development in men and women.I now understand why "homosexuality" is not just one "thing" and how different gay and lesbian people are from each other.I was surprised to learn how similar the sexuality of lesbian is to heterosexual women, and gay men- to heterosexual men (even though there are also differences of course).Not all the material discussed in this book had equal interest for me.For example, I wasn't all that interested in the last chapter which is about the way psychoanalysts have thought about homosexuality over the years, but it was enlightening to better understand why they used to think that homosexuality was a mental illness.I did read some Freud and some of my teachershated him and some admired him.At least with respect to sex-I appreciated knowing which of his theories are simply out of date.Friedman and Downey think that some of Freud's views are still helpful as well.All in all I give this book an "A" grade- and -even though it is demanding-it is worth the effort to read it.One good thing about it is that it is very clearly written and without psychobabble or jargon.

a Clinical Tour de Force
Friedman and Downey bring an extraordinary level of scholarship combined with accessible gems of clinical wisdom to the critical field of sexual development and sexual identity. Theoretical revisions, integration of material across fields, and clinical case material make this an essential book for therapists of all disciplines. As a therapist and educator with expertise in family therapy I believe clinicians will find the material on internalized homophobia riveting, and the chapter on intervention with homophobic parents especially valuable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diseases    2. Human Sexuality    3. Medical    4. Movements - Psychoanalysis    5. Practice    6. Psychoanalysis    7. Psychology    8. Psychotherapy - General    9. Sexual Disorders    10. Sexual orientation    11. Sociology    12. Gender studies    13. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian    14. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory    15. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gender Studies    3. Jewish gays    4. Jewish lesbians    5. Judaism - General    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Queer theory    8. Sociology    9. Gay & Lesbian studies    10. Jewish studies    11. Judaism    12. Literary Criticism & Collections / Gay & Lesbian   

Reviews (1)

On Suicide- insights through Philosophy and Literature
This collection of essays, short stories, and poems all deal with the "Ultimate Question": to be, or not to be.Each philosopher, writer, or poet has contributed his or her own thoughts regarding suicide. Some of the selections are whimsical, such as a poem which discussesdifferent ways of "doing it".Others are thought-provoking andemotional pieces, which bring up thoughts about why people commit suicide,and the feelings felt by those they leave behind.This book is suitablefor scholars, teachers, professionals of all sorts, and especially thosewho may think twice before answering their own "UltimateQuestion". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay & Lesbian    2. General    3. Health/Fitness    4. Literary collections    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Special Subjects In Literature    7. Suicide    8. Suicide in literature    9. Collections & anthologies of various literary forms    10. Death & dying    11. Fiction / Anthologies (multiple authors)   

Reviews (4)

brilliant beginning but better stuff to follow
At the time of its first appearance in 1985 Between Men was viewed as an important intervention into Feminist as well as Gay and Lesbian studies. It was an important book because it argued that "sexuality" and "desire" were not ahistorical phenomenon but carefully managed social constructs. This insight (that actually originated with Michael Foucault) is often viewed as anti-humanist or post-humanist because it argues that men and women are simply the products of patriarchal power relations over which they have no control. By mobilizing Foucault's theories of the history of sexuality Sedgwick re-fashions Feminism and Gay and Lesbian Studies to make it seem as though Feminism and Gay and Lesbian studies are ideally situated to continue those interventions into the history of sexuality begun by Foucault. Sedgwick's own concern in this book is homosocality and this book's contribution to that topic is invaluable and still provides an excellent starting point for any foray into that topic. Her views on homosociality were groundbreaking, however, Sedgwick's book is famous mainly for its introduction which critiques current research agendas (including radical feminist agendas)as well as spells out the research agendas that she feels Gay and Lesbian studies should pursue.Its a twenty page introduction that to this day remains the best synopsis of academic feminisms (especially radical feminism) as well as the best articulation to date of the need for a new kind of discipline that can make use of the best part of existing feminisms and continue to evolve Gay and Lesbian Studies in productive directions. In that twenty page introduction Sedgwick lays out an academic template that has retroactively been labeled Queer Studies. For that introduction this book deserves five stars. The rest of the book is dedicated to new readings of classic Eng Lit texts and will only be of interest and of use to students of English literature.
The origins of queer theory
This book is an essential antecedent to contemporary queer theory, arguing that the development of the public sphere depended upon a sublimated yet necessarily erotic "male homosocial desire."Once we have finished encountered that stunning and revolutionary idea, this is a work of literary criticism that will be of little interest to non-scholars.Sedgwick has proven herself more than adequate to the task of adapting her ideas to a larger academic and educated general audience; indeed, she is one of the most provocative cultural critics of our generation.But not here. I suggest some of Sedgwick's later work, especially "The Epistemology of the Closet" and "Tendencies."

Important, compelling, enduring.
Sedgwick brilliantly transformed gay and lesbian studies with this book, a text whose import has not diminished with the transition of gay and lesbian studies from the margins of academia to (at least closer to) themainstream. While she uses as her framework here English literature, thisframework does not bound her theories conceptually. Look, for example, atch. 1, "Gender Asymmetry and Erotic Triangles". Consider thetriangulation of rapist, victim and spectator in representations of rape,such as in Kaplan's film "The Accused" - while she does notexplicitly deal with contemporary media and textuality, it can certainly beapplied. Certainly, the text could now be updated - there are literallythousands of contemporary examples which could apply, and which could,perhaps make for more accessible reading. However, such a rewriting wouldnot substantially change Sedgwick's ideas, and the challenge of reading andabsorbing SEdgwick is something which I have come to enjoy time and timeagain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English Literature (General)    2. English literature    3. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    4. Gay & Lesbian    5. Gay Studies    6. Great Britain    7. History    8. History and criticism    9. Homosexuality and literature    10. Literary Criticism    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Male authors    13. Masculinity in literature    14. Sexuality In Literature    15. English    16. Gender studies    17. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    18. Literary studies: general    19. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (1)

Barely worth it
You'd think that it would be impossible for an essay-compilation on perversion to crash and burn, but this one pulls it off! I own and enjoy the three other installments in the 'Sic' series ("Gaze and Voice as Love Objects", "Cogito and the Unconscious", and "Sexuation"), so the incredible awfulness of this offering came as an unpleasant surprise. You can't blame me for looking forward to a book on perversion, especially since it belonged to a decent series and was co-edited by one of my favourites (Slavoj). Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American fiction    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. General    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Psychoanalysis and literature    7. Sexual deviation    8. Sexual deviation in literature    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Cultural studies