Queers in History: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Historical Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals

by Keith Stern, Ian McKellen

Everybody loves secrets. We're all fascinated by celebrities, the rich, the powerful, and the famous. When scandals break out we want to read all about it. And the surest way to get anyone's attention is to start talking about sex. Now there's a book that has all this and much more, with over 900 amazing stories about prominent people from ancient Egypt to today who, in their personal lives, all had one thing in common. They were all gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Movie stars, musicians, kings, queens, soldiers, athletes, scientists, and even religious leaders from all over the world. The book is called Queers in History. It's a funny title and definitely a fun read. But there's also tons of serious useful information revealing a secret side of these famous personalities. Queers in History reveals the compelling stories about some of your favorite folks that are usually left out of their official biographies. Did you know that, for instance: * Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe had a one-night-stand? * Leonardo da Vinci was imprisoned twice for same-sex affairs? * Leonard Bernstein had an affair with an Israeli soldier? * The lesbian wife of a gay actor accused Howard Hughes of having an affair with her husband shortly before his mysterious murder? * The founder of Shinto Buddhism also founded a tradition of male-male love in Japan? * Angelina Jolie wanted to marry her "Firefox" co-star Jenny Shimizu? * The wife of one US president moved her girlfriend into the White House, and another US President shared his White House bed with the male chief of his security detail? * An heroic soldier in the US Revolution was actually a woman in disguise, who "married" another woman after her service in the Continental Army? * And in 1886, when US officials asked an Indian tribe to send "their best woman" to visit Washington, DC, the tribe chose instead to send a man in a dress?These are just a few of the historical facts you'll learn from Queers in History. It took 17 years to gather the information that fills over 500 pages in this trade paperback. One of the most amazing facts is that Queers in History is only $13.67 if you pre-order on Amazon.com . That's a lot less than a penny per fact, all from reliable sources.But Queers in History is much more than a collection of facts. Each person's life is presented as an entertaining short story, showing how their sexuality affected their lives and their work. And though it's about gay people, it's something everybody will be interested in, especially straight people who may not know as much as they think they do about some of their favorite celebrities. The previous edition got rave reviews in USA Today, Wired magazine, The Village Voice, and many others.Put this book on your coffee table before your next party and a few minutes later it will be the main topic of conversation. Just don't put it in the bathroom because the first person in there may lock the door and not come out until they've finished reading it. My name's Keith Stern, I wrote Queers in History, and I've produced some of the most popular biographical websites on the Internet. Sir Ian McKellen, better known as Gandalf and Magneto in the movies, has contributed an inspirational foreword to the book. Visit www.queersinhistory.com for more information.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, LGBT, Queer, Biography, Reference, Gay

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[library lola · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this book was mildly interesting, but clearly flawed in research and well-roundedness. When one lists some of their sources as Wikipedia we know there's a problem.

It was very interesting in bits and also heartbreaking. An excerpt from a letter from Hans Christian Anderson to a lost same sex love was particularly sad for me to read. Social pressure inducing a life of secrecy is needless suffering, but is so often necessary, such as in this case.

While the premise was good, the book itself was flawed in execution. It's credibility was definitely questionable and having some passages be lengthy and others quite brief was odd. A mildly interesting read, but should not necessarily be considered 100% fact based.

[Michelle Hoogterp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reference book and not a cover-to-cover book, at least not for me.

I am very disappointed that for further reading under each entry only one book or website, such as Wikipedia, is listed. The books that make it into inclusion for further reading are such that have a clear homosexual agenda for promoting the idea that a certain artist or politician, etc. is indeed gay. The problem with that is that there should be biographies, autobiographies, letters, and other more reliable resources.

I still think this is a good book and as Sir Ian McKellen says in his foreword: "But if one or two names entered in [the author's] engaging list are doubtful about their inclusion, perhaps they won't, on reflection, object much to being between the sheets with Michelangelo and Armistead Maupin--what could be cozier?"

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great project, but the resulting book is of at best medium quality. The brief portraits of figures historical and contemporary included here cover a wide range and are generally entertaining, gossipy and quite shallow, including rather a lot of speculation and rumour in some cases that ought to be taken with more than just a grain of salt. Evidently, a fairly substantial part of the research largely involved Wikipedia.

[Erin Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like reading a wonderful, giant gossip rag. Entertaining as all get out as long as you don't take all of the speculation in the book (and there is lots) as gospel truth.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learning about some very fascinating queer individuals throughout history. Most I had never heard of, or I did know them, but did not know they were queer. I was also able to learn about a few more books that look interesting.

[Lenore Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

College Girl recently was visiting with family here at our home this weekend. A wonderful couple that are raising their interracial granddaughter. Here on our front porch we share their lives for a lil while. The struggles of these two men who have served in quiet retrospect while giving their all to provide for the communities they have lived in. Many times having an uphill battle to just be allowed to have the right to be part of that community. Some our greatest citizens of the world have had that same battle. "Queers in History" (an encyclopedia style book) shares that many people have lived the DADT policy. In this book we saw so many people in history that gave to our world experience while also having a different sexuality than those around them. College Girl was thrilled to share this book with her "cousins". Here we learned that many politicians and military along with artist, writers, musicians and entrepreneurs shared the same history.

For example:
An heroic soldier, Deborah Sampson, in the US Revolution was actually a woman in disguise, who "married" another woman after her service in the Continental Army? When Deborah's true identity was discovered she was denied here veterans pension.

James Buchanan, U.S. President, had a male roommate that was so close that they were called the "Siamese Twins". In 1994 Bucahanan's grave was vandalized with words about his sexuality.

[A. Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to flip through. I've learned about historical figures and some entries surprised me. I'll admit that at times I was a little unconvinced but it's always nice to think about the possibility of people being a member of your community. That said, it is a really great look at queer figures in history and it has a couple tables in the back, organized by name and by year which were a great help in browsing through names.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not only fascinating but also constantly surprising! I'd recommend it to anyone, and especially any LGBT teen who is struggling, or not, with defining themselves, without the least hesitation. It not only shows the history of the LGBT community but also the breadth of its contribution to civilization across history.

[JaNel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an encyclopedia of gays, lesbians, etc. just like it says. It also includes why they believe/know they were/are homosexual. Very interesting reading.

[Oriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously it'd be impossible to write a truly comprehensive book like this, but this one definitely covers a lot of ground.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly thorough (at nearly 600 pages!) - some of the entries came as a surprise. Impossible to go into much depth for each person, but many listings have a "for further reading" reference.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any young GBLT person, this would be the gift to give! I loved it; many of my heroes were/are gay or lesbian
and I didn't know it. It's gossipy but in a juicy, harmless way :)

[Radclyffe U-Haul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far from exhaustive but still pretty great. Rather lacking in trans people.
Willed to me by Anne, so obviously sentimental.

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend to every homophobe obsessed with famous people so maybe they can change their minds.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while to read this, and yes, there were people who surprised me in it. Very, VERY good book, and useful as a reference and a teaching tool.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of speculation and fact.