Edwin and John: A Personal History of the American South

by James Sears

In Edwin and A Personal History of the American South, award-winning author James T. Sears interweaves diaries, letters and poems to craft an innovative first-person narrative history that details the hard realities of growing up gay in the South during the early decades of the 20th century. Set against the backdrop of World War II and the post-war South, Edwin and John , provides a unique and intimate approach to queer history by following the 50 year relationship between John Zeigler and Edwin Peacocke that carried them both from their roots in the conservative South, through service in World War II, and into a placid and loving literary life where they opened a bookshop in what was then the small town of Charleston, South Carolina. Edwin and John is a revealing look at queer history, detailing how these two men and their remarkable circle of close friends--which included some of the greatest writers and artists of their era including Prentiss Taylor, Carson McCullers, and John Bennett--endured war, intolerance, and jealousies, while living proud and public lives in far more conservative times.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Louise McCallum · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be a fascinating history of the times in which John Zeigler and Edwin Peacock lived. I knew both men personally. as I grew up in Charleston SC and shopped at The Book Basement all through my childhood. They were wonderful men, whose lives were rich and varied.

The reason I gave the review ONE STAR is because I honestly believe this book was written by John Zeigler and the idea that James Sears was able to be innovative and write from the first person is completely absurd. The details of sexual encounters, experiences, thoughts and feelings are clearly coming from John and from his written words about those experiences. I am SHOCKED that this book was allowed to be published under the false pretense that Mr. Sears wrote the book.

John Zeigler must have trusted Mr. Sears enough to let him take his words and claim them as his own. I do not think this was a wise choice though the book is worth reading, it should be clear Mr. Sears is not really the author.