The Book of Pride
Books | Biography & Autobiography / LGBTQ
4.2
(59)
Mason Funk
“A dignified tapestry of trailblazing pioneers who have contributed to the gay liberation movement . . . A significant educational and motivational tribute.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewsThe Book of Pride captures the true story of the gay rights movement from the 1960s to the present, through richly detailed, stunning interviews with the leaders, activists, and ordinary people who witnessed the movement and made it happen. These individuals fought battles both personal and political, often without the support of family or friends, frequently under the threat of violence and persecution. By shining a light on these remarkable stories of bravery and determination, The Book of Pride not only honors an important chapter in American history, but also empowers young people today (both LGBTQ and straight) to discover their own courage in order to create positive change. Furthermore, it serves a critically important role in ensuring the history of the LGBTQ movement can never be erased, inspiring us to resist all forms of oppression with ferocity, community, and, most importantly, pride.
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Author
Mason Funk
Pages
284
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published Date
2019-05-21
ISBN
0062571699 9780062571694
Community ReviewsSee all
"Man, I wanted to like this a lot more than I did.<br/><br/>I think the importance of the Outwords project can not be overstated. Getting oral histories from some of the early pioneers of the movement to grant rights to the LGBTQ+ community is essential and its clear that Mason Funk takes the responsibility very seriously. I also appreciated the numerous editorial notes throughout the book which explained certain people/events/places with which some readers may be unfamiliar. Unfortunately, I had two problems with this book.<br/><br/>The main problem is that I didn't find all of these stories very interesting. I would argue that this book contains a lot of "raw data", much like the diaries and letters of other important historical figures from our past. And raw data is important, as it enables us to know these figures as well as the things that they did. However, as someone who reads a lot of history, rarely do publishers publish that sort of raw data because so much of it isn't that interesting. Normally the author sorts through it and uses bits and pieces of it to craft a more compelling history. I wish that had been done here.<br/><br/>My other problem is that I have personal knowledge of one of the people this book spotlights and he uses his position to belittle and hurt members of the LGBTQ+ community with which he disagrees or who do not conform to what he believes they should be. Knowing that one of the people described in the book is certainly not a "hero" to the community made me wonder if others in the book are the same.<br/><br/>I appreciate the passion and agree with the importance, but unfortunately, it just didn't really work for me as a reading experience."
John Detrick