The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America

by David Levithan, Gabriel Duckels

A thoughtful, poignant look at the AIDS crisis in the United States that includes primary source interviews, history, medical research, and cultural touchpoints.

The AIDS crisis in America is complex and composed of countless individual stories of grief, love, and advocacy. Its history shows the power of youth activism, how creativity and community can be vehicles for social change, and how bigotry and misinformation led to inequality in care.

The early days of the AIDS crisis saw LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities making strides in the fight for equality. As many people in positions of power were slow to act or actively didn’t pay attention until their own communities were affected, the fight for equality turned into a fight for their lives. Grassroots efforts filled in gaps where mainstream medicine and politics failed, and over time, a cultural shift of awareness emerged, which led to more research and more treatments. And while the disease has transitioned from a death sentence to one that people can live full lives with, there are still people dying of HIV/AIDS today because they can’t access the care they need. The fight may have begun decades ago, but is not yet over.

Award-winning author David Levithan and University of Cambridge PhD Gabriel Duckels detail a brief history of the epidemic, touching on key moments and figures, such as Ryan White, ACT UP, Larry Kramer and Anthony Fauci, Pedro Zamora from MTV’s The Real World, and the Names Quilt. Threaded throughout are poems, essays, and other creative works, in addition to first-person interviews and narratives. The most important takeaway is that we must remember. We need to know what happened and why. Our voices are powerful, and they can make a difference.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, LGBT, Audiobook, Historical, Queer, Politics

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press.

Reviews

[Maia]

This an excellent intro to the history of HIV/AIDS in the US, the government neglect, the activism, and many personal accounts. Timelines are woven through with poetry, personal essays, memoir accounts. I've read other books and watched documentaries about the impacts of HIV (Pedro and Me by Judd Winick, Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt) but this collection filled in a lot of pieces I hadn't encountered yet. I learned about Ryan White, who became the teen face of HIV, about the combative friendship of Anthony Fauci and Larry Kraumer, the early journalism work of Sarah Shulman, and the voices of many people who worked in patient care including Ed Wolf. Despite its 450+ page count this book was a fast read, and the audiobook version is great as well (I traded off reading in print and audio).

[Kyle Lambros]

This book is an inimitable feat. I haven’t ever read a nonfiction YA text centered on the AIDS crisis. This book does magnificent work of showcasing the time, along with presenting a multifaceted examination of the ongoing fight against AIDS and for health equity. Levithan and Duckels do brilliant work here. Absolutely astonishing.

[Lyndsay]

An essential, sobering, and comprehensive account of the AIDS epidemic from 1978 to present day. There are chapters detailing key moments from specific decades, as well as chapters dedicated to specific key figures, and individuals who lived with AIDS or had family/friends impacted by the disease. The historic perspective, paired with first person accounts was a powerful balance.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Knopf Books for Young Readers for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Joyfully Jay]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

The Fight of Our Lives is ultimately a book of stories — stories about those who lived and died with AIDS and who fought, often to the last breath, for the HIV treatments and access that we so take for granted today. The reason that we, in America, (perhaps wrongly) no longer consider AIDS to be a public health crisis is because of the literal blood, sweat, and tears sacrificed by an entire generation of men, women, and children who were forced to endure the ravages of a horrific disease without governmental or societal support. The book is a blend of starkly brutal facts mixed with stories of survivors, victims, artists, poets, medical professionals, and others to provide a honest, multi-faceted view of how AIDS changed the fabric of American culture and our understanding of a global health crisis.

Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.

[Ashley]

A wide-ranging history of the AIDS epidemic in America. This book was written for a YA audience, but can be enjoyed by adults as well. The editors state at the beginning that "this book is a mix of narrative nonfiction, interviews, reprinted works from the 1980s and 1990s, and a few creative approaches to tell the story of what happened during the AIDS epidemic." I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and appreciated all the different perspectives that were presented. The history of the AIDS epidemic has been a subject that is close to my heart ever since I first read Randy Shilts' magnificent And the Band Played On. Shilts' book ends in the year 1985, while this book brings the story up to the present day. It's amazing to see all the progress that has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but there is still a long way to go. Even though HIV is successfully treatable now, there is still no cure. The fight goes on and the work continues.

[Paul]

Wow, very thoroughly researched book - so interesting (and frustrating) to see the timeline laid out like this. But the best part, that I haven't seen elsewhere, is the inclusion of writings that happened at the time, without the historic retrospective. So, it's a difficult book to read, but very worth it.

[Dysha Cole]

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me a copy of this book. This is a comprehensive recollection of the AIDS epidemic that included some very powerful narratives as well. I absolutely enjoyed reading this.

[Jacob Orlando]

A thorough, beautiful, devastating overview of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, starting with the golden age of post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS gay life in the 1970s through the present day. So much historical detail interwoven thoughtfully with real testimony, writing and art from those impacted by the virus and the indescribable devastation it brought to generations of queer people, among others. I’ve read and watched works engaging with AIDS and have learned about the crisis from queer elders, but still took so much away from this book. I particularly value the wide reach of representation included, on many fronts — notably, elevating the voices and experiences of queer people of color, as well as including significantly impacted groups beyond queer people, such as those facing extreme poverty, homelessness, addiction, other medical complications and other factors which can lead to people experiencing marginalization and erasure.

[Cassandra]

*An ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

It was quite the challenge to write an accessible but honest book that tackles all the nuances and heartbreak associated with the AIDS crisis for a young adult audience. Levithan and Duckels were up to the task.

Though a combination of interviews with survivors and the relatives of those lost to the epidemic, personal anecdotes and writing samples from Levithan’s own uncle, and the sharp probe of academic research I am sure should be credited to Duckels, this book manages to compassionately and fully cover a period of American history often left to the margins of history if mentioned at all.

Highly recommend.

[YSBR]

The Fight of Our Lives is an in-depth, comprehensive text that covers the AIDS epidemic in America, spanning from 1978 up until the present day. The book takes a non-linear approach to describing the AIDS crisis, breaking up the timeline of events with chapters that highlight specific figures or events, such as Ryan White or the emergence of needle exchange programs. Levithan and Duckels have created an engaging and detailed narrative history, covering everything from the Reagan administration and its lack of response, to the work of activists all over the country, to famous figures that were a part of this time in history: Rock Hudson, Magic Johnson, Princess Diana, Pedro Zamora, and more. Interspersed throughout the text are also primary source stories, essays, and poems by individuals who either had AIDS or who had friends or family affected by AIDS or HIV. An extensive “Notes and Resources” section at the end of the book provides references for all of the research and sources used by Levithan and Duckels. 

This book is a very important document regarding the AIDS epidemic. David Levithan tells us that he was inspired to write this book by  his uncle, who was diagnosed with AIDS. He does such a good job documenting not only the timeline and important figures from this time period, but also on the voices of ordinary people The first-hand accounts he includes managed to be inspirational and heart-breaking, occasionally even funny. I learned so much about what it meant to live through the AIDS crisis, and how much HIV management and care has changed since the 1980s. Throughout the book, Levithan includes personal essays and what appear to be diary entries written by his late uncle (Robert), which keeps the story anchored to Levithan’s personal experience with AIDS. While it is still crucial to include the oftentimes devastating statistics and anecdotes of the early responses to the discovery of AIDS, it is the personal stories and recollections of the activists recorded in this book that provide hope to the reader. Along with the historical background on AIDS, the authors also include an extensive section on the symptoms of HIV, stress the importance of using condoms during sex to prevent its spread, and dispel common myths about AIDS and HIV. I also appreciated how the authors still made sure to not only acknowledge the existence of Black and Brown folks who were affected by AIDS, but to critique AIDS coverage that disproportionately focused only on cis white males, ignoring the minority communities who were affected as well. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Theo]

Rather than relying on a single narrative approach, Levithan and Duckels weave together timelines, narrative nonfiction, interviews, primary sources, poetry, and personal accounts to create a multifaceted portrait of the epidemic. The result is both informative and emotionally resonant. Readers learn about the earliest years of the disease, the scientific efforts to identify HIV, and the devastating consequences of government inaction. The authors also highlight the activists who demanded attention, research, and treatment while thousands of Americans were dying. Well-known figures such as Rock Hudson and Magic Johnson helped bring public attention to HIV/AIDS, while people like Ryan White and Pedro Zamora became powerful symbols of the human impact of the epidemic. Equally important are the stories of those who never made headlines, but whose experiences reveal the fear, stigma, resilience, and loss that defined the era. The authors are also careful to broaden the narrative beyond the communities most often represented in discussions of AIDS. Particular attention is paid to Black communities, Latine populations, Asian Americans, Indigenous peoples, and transgender individuals whose contributions, experiences, and ongoing challenges have frequently been overlooked. By centering these voices alongside more familiar stories, the book presents a fuller and more accurate account of the epidemic and its continuing impact.

What makes the book especially effective is its ability to connect past and present. It’s not simply a history of a crisis that has ended, but a reminder that the fight for equitable healthcare, comprehensive sex education, affordable treatment, and global access to prevention and medication continues. While scientific advances have transformed what it means to live with HIV, the social, political, and economic inequalities that shaped the epidemic have not been defeated. It introduces young readers to a defining public health crisis while honoring the activists, caregivers, researchers, and people living with HIV who fought to create the world we live in today.

Thank you Random House Children's Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Priscilla]

This book should be on every high school student’s must read list. Even adults should have to read this book. I was born in the mid 80s and grew up throughout the 90s and 2000s. I remember growing up that I always thought that contracting HIV meant a death sentence. I didn’t even realize that there were drugs that could make the virus undetectable in your blood until very recently.

Growing up, I knew of at least two people who had AIDS and died from it. It was hush-hush, a stigma. The adults that knew them were ashamed to associate with them.

This book opened my eyes to having a better understanding of the AIDS epidemic. I developed more empathy for those who suffered as a result of contracting the virus or knowing someone who died from it.

I appreciated the stories about individuals who were part of the fight for drugs to combat the virus, people who stood up for their rights, etc.

This book was very inspirational to me and taught me so much. I found myself constantly stopping to research and learn more and even seek out documentaries about it.

There were so many times I read excerpts to my husband.

The authors did a really good job of researching and wrote the book in such a way that it really pulls you in to that time, the desperation, the anger, the frustration and loneliness that this illness caused. But it also revealed hope in how people fought for a cause they believed in and helped to bring change about in our country.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance for my honest review.

[Alicia]

Being published by Knopf Books for Young Readers it is being marketed toward teens however it reads more adult than teen. It's a thicker title with over 400 pages. Levithan does focus on cultural touchstones such as Pedro's Real World casting for MTV (do teens know the classic MTV and what the Real World is/was?) and uses personal storytelling from people in the community who do drag story times and are on RuPaul's reality drag show which might be more contemporary. If teens paid enough attention during the pandemic they would recognize Fauci's name and the connection between "lessons learned" during the AIDS epidemic and the COVID pandemic. And a focus on the marginalization of BIPOC people in direct contrast to the bigger conversations about AIDS when Ryan White was diagnosed as a teen through a blood transfusion. So I know it's trying it's hardest to make parallels and understanding AIDS in America from a social justice angle as well as a scientific one and humanizing it all along the way. It's spectacularly researched and provides first-hand accounts. However it does circle back quite a bit to topics already discussed which might lose some readers.

I'm undecided yet about it's teen audience designation. I know teens in our AP would likely pick it up, but there is an academic angle that walks the line of a narrative nonfiction (included with the numerous first hand accounts) and in the audiobook actual audio from committee hearings or Reagan's address which is a fantastic inclusion.

[Sarah Miller]

A scrapbook, a compilation, a history, a call to action, a love letter. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this book before! And while the book’s arrangement could be a bit confusing (potentially since I read an ARC) the content is very important. I read it start to finish but it doesn’t follow a rigid linear structure so you could easily dip in a pit.

The book tells the history and personal stories of the effect of AIDS and HIV in America from the 1980s to the present. It highlights the raw stories of those who lived and died through it. It chronicles the activism, politics, research, and money that influenced all of the responses to this epidemic over time. It shows the absolute necessity of community and compassion for fellow humans to thrive.

I remember a few things about the trajectory of AIDS in our culture growing up, but the book is a testament to how easy it is to miss the most important parts of something like this. How certain voices and truths are ignored or suppressed. I learned a lot and am humbled by the experience.

[Desmond Brown]

I'm in favor of any book that preserves memories of when AIDS was just starting to happen, and when it was everywhere but there was no treatment. This book has a lot of first-person descriptions of what life was like then; some are good, particularly the contemporarneous descriptions of what was happening. Some of the later ones are heavy on cliches, platitudes, and acronyms, but that is how much the world was changed by HIV and AIDS. There is a great essay about the stormy relationship between Larry Kramer, an outspoken early AIDS activist, and Anthony Fauci. If you need another reason to admire Anthony Fauci, that essay is for you. The quality of the writing is mixed, and perhaps because of that my sympathy and admiration were greater for some writers than for others. This is an episode of medical and cultural history that should not be forgotten.

For those who want a detailed contemporaneous take on the early days and years of the AIDS epidemic, read And The Band Played On by Randy Shilts, from 1987. A gut-wrenching classic.

[Ashleigh Carter]

An in-depth look at the rise of AIDS in America, how it was handled, the stigma, the early treatments. Hope, loss, devastation. Heartbreakingly told from the viewpoints of both victirms and survivors. Direct entries from diaries, newspapers, media coverage, and interviews lend itself to authenticity. No holding back. There’s little obvious bias. Both sides of the aisle are criticised for a lack of response. The definition of found family. The past, the present, and the endangered future told with unflinching honesty. Beautifully done.

I learned SO much reading this book. I was born during the AIDS epidemic, but it had become endemic in the US by the time I was aware of it. This book is so unique for nonfiction. It covers so many different sectors involved in or touched by AIDS, and each time it presents the time line again, but shows how that sector was responding to AIDS. I love that change in emphasis for relevance. It gave me a much better understanding of this illness, how people failed people, and the racism and bigotry inherit in the system.

A valuable read not just for AIDS, but to also highlight current problems in the healthcare system and bring warning about its future.

[Francis]

4.5*
Recently my community gave out free HIV home tests. I took a test immediately, and thankfully it was negative. Reading this book though, I realize how lucky I am. How lucky I am that taking this test was an afterthought and I had no real concern of a positive result. How lucky I am to have received comprehensive sexual education in school that did not preach abstinence.
I really loved how this book grounded itself in real life testimonies. It makes the book accessible to everyone regardless of their history and knowledge of AIDS - even if you're well researched, you learn about people's lived experiences.

Without being overly preachy, this book tells people's stories and grounds itself in a timeline of one of history's biggest public health failures. I am grateful to have learned what I did, and I am grateful for those who shared their stories with the author's I won't forget them soon.

[Kim]

The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America is one of the most important non-fiction texts for youth today. Authors David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels have created a comprehensive, accessible, and informative text documenting a great deal of history of AIDS in America, a topic often unfamiliar to younger people today. As a heads up, the book is 512 pages long, so it will be difficult to hand to just any student, but for the students who it will impact, it will greatly impact them. The chapters are short, featuring notable people, poetry, visuals from elements such as the AIDS quilt, timelines, and more. The topics and acronyms are all explained in an accessible way. The authors share a variety of angles to many topics, highlighting the complexity of the topic with care, seriousness, and, yes, optimism. I am thankful to have read this ARC offered by Net Galley and the publishers.

[Rachel Buckley]

This was a stunning account of AIDS history in the United States. David Levithan is a master storyteller, and these stories blend so well into the timeline provided. Not that we should need an additional human element to understand how tragic this epidemic has been and continues to be, but these real accounts also provide a good break from the solid information we're being given to prevent this book from appearing too "textbook." This is a fantastic blend of poetry, stories, and fact that makes this digestible for any type of reader. I found myself b0okmarking so many pages to go back to later and share with others, and I can't wait to buy this book in print so I can do just that. This is such a necessary, timely read, and I'm so thankful to have gotten to read it in advance so I can sing its praises all the way to its publication date.

[Sunny]

As someone who was a young teen during the ‘90’s, I was especially I touched by this book. I’ve read a lot of AIDS memoirs over the years, so it’s nice to see something modern and relevant come out for the younger generation. This is an important time in our history and I feel like the struggles that people went through are being forgotten, and they should not. The author does a beautiful job of telling people’s stories and reminding us of how hard so many people fought for their rights. So many lives were lost before their time, they should not be forgotten and their stories should remind us of how hard the queer community worked to achieve the basic human rights they deserve. Powerfully and beautifully written, I highly recommend it. I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Renata]

This is such an impressive and compelling work of history, wow. I loved the wide mix of primary sources, the personal voices, the historical context.

One small note is that since this is aimed at teens I wonder if there were a few things that could have used a little more context/explanation but also maybe not--I'm thinking of like, mentions of S&M...like maybe teens reading this already know what S&M is (thanks, Rihanna)? Whatever

Anyway I would def recommend to adults, too. And I also appreciate how ultimately hopeful it was--I told a friend I was reading a history of the AIDS epidemic and she was like "wow a little light reading" and like...no but also it wasn't as much of a downer as it could have been, just thanks to covering enough of a time period to read PrEp and modern treatments (while still acknowledging that access to these is not universal).

[Katrina]

Well, it's obviously not a cheery read. Due to the importance of the topic it feels insulting to give it less than 4 stars, although I can't say I necessarily enjoyed it. It can be a little repetitive at times, but this is also due to the nature of shared experiences in a crisis. There is a lot of valuable information that is well-researched and presented in an accessible way. I appreciated the many perspectives highlighted as well as the use of different formats such as poetry, personal reflections, newspaper articles, and timelines. I would not be surprised if this won some type of award, as I do think it effectively addresses a gap in nonfiction for young adult audiences about this topic. I certainly learned a thing or two, and for that I am grateful.

[Zac Green]

I can’t lie, I was hesitant to read this book because I typically don’t like to read non fiction because I read to escape reality. With that being said I’m so glad my book club chose this book for pride month. It was easily digestible, I learned sooooo much! It really fired me up and made me want to connect with my community. The pacing is a little weird and I wish it didn’t jump around so much. I know that was the intended purpose because of how information about HIV and AIDS was back in the day, but it did make it a little convoluted and certain parts repetitive. Other than that though amazing.

[Brittany E.]

I had a very basic knowledge of the history of AIDS and this book did an amazing job of giving me a more thorough understanding. Beyond the facts of how the law, medicine and society took way too long to catch up, it also gave a personal insight into the epidemic. The personal anecdotes were my favorite part of this book, it does the important job of humanizing the epidemic and making sure the reader can see the real life detriment caused by backwards laws and medical practices. Highly, highly recommend. Six stars.

[Tumyd]

Wow. I am gobsmacked.

I had read Randy Shilt's book and was very angry. This just blows that out of the ball park with more details about the homophobia around gays & HIV. Also the misogyny with getting women treated.

This is a very detailed account up to 2025.
I highly recommend anyone who was on the periphery of these events to read it. To those who lived it, I am truly sorry for your loss.

[Christa Van]

A wonderful history of AIDS and the social disruption it caused. Politically ignored until it killed more than just gay people, the fight to make it a national focus was extensive. So many lives needlessly lost.

[Rachael]

Haven’t read this yet but hard to believe the other reviewers have either since it’s only being released as an ARC this week.
——-
Will update review when I finish the review copy of the book

[Kimberly Allen]

It covered a wide range of topics in a lot of different voices. I highly recommend the audio version. I learned a lot.

[Allison]

Interesting and informative reports regarding the AIDS epidemic mixed with first-hand accounts of people who lost their lives, lost their loves, and fought on the frontlines.

[Joe Giordano]

Great book on the AIDS crisis in America, then and now. Highly recommend!