Book Review; A Little Gay History

A Little Gay History: 

Desire and Diversity Across the World

 

 

Authors:                                R. B Parkinson

Contributors:                                   Kate Smith
                                               Max Carocci
Design:                                  Will Webb Design               

Publisher:                             The British Museum Press           

Type:                                     TPB

Pages:                                   128

Genre:                                  Non fiction

Published:                            2013

ISBN:                                    978-0-7141-5100-7

Source:                                 Independently purchased 

How old is the oldest chat-up line between men? Who was the first lesbian? Were ancient Greek men who had sex together necessarily gay? And what did Shakespeare think about cross-dressing?


These questions start of the book and the readers journey into a history that has been hidden from the mainstream world for far too long. 

The book itself is a smallish thing about 7" by 7 1/2 ". It has an odd double cover, that is to say that the cover is folded over to make the cover thicker. The effect is nice and might add to the durability of the book. The pages are high quality and glossy pictures are lavishly portrayed on almost every page, in full vivid colour, where that is appropriate.

The book is an cautious introductory evaluation of some historic artifacts and what they may imply about the history of same sex love and attraction. It is the perfect starting place for any avid historian or curious person. The book is careful not no go out on any limbs and only state the facts, if an object is open to even the smallest interpretation this is clearly stated in the text.

I found this book to be an interesting read and a copy should be found in every high school library and counselors bookshelf. It is highly important that we put a stop to the straightening of history. And give support to homosexual youth.

I myself have noticed just recently that Wikipedia has had almost every reference to gay marriage deleted or replaced with the term 'civil union', despite in a lot of cases marriage being the correct term.
We also have the movies rewriting history making the heroes of old straight and dishonouring their memory. 

I feel books like this one are important so that we do not allow bigotry to foster ignorance.

This book itself is not as heavy as all that and is easily approachable and readable by the average person.

 

* A version of this review originally appeared on Monkeys Book Reviews.