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Rating: 
Summary: Under the Rainbow
Review: Arnie Kantrowitz was my College Professor, and it was there that he told us about his book. I purchased it, and I was floored. I am a heterosexual female, and I felt like I knew what he was going through. His memories; funny, sad, and always vivid, touched me as few books ever have. Though I have not seen him in several years, the lessons I learned in his class, and his book, guide me today. His book is about tolerance, acceptance, and self-love, something we can all use a little of. Wherever you are, Professor Kantrowitz, I love you!
Rating: 
Summary: a Great Teacher, a Great Author
Review: Arnie Kantrowitz was my College Professor, and it was there that he told us about his book. I purchased it, and I was floored. I am a heterosexual female, and I felt like I knew what he was going through. His memories; funny, sad, and always vivid, touched me as few books ever have. Though I have not seen him in several years, the lessons I learned in his class, and his book, guide me today. His book is about tolerance, acceptance, and self-love, something we can all use a little of. Wherever you are, Professor Kantrowitz, I love you!
Rating:
Summary: Best personal insight
Review: I had Professor Kantrowitz as my English teacher in college and I was glad I took his class. He mentioned during class that he wrote a book dealing with his sexuality. I think I might have been the only person to read it. Arnie makes the book his and flies with it. I am amazed that he is as bright and cheerfull as he is today considering. I spoke with him in office about the book and a brief shadow of sadness reflected on his face. I give due credit to him for the strength he has and the obstacles he overcame.
Rating:
Summary: Best personal insight
Review: I had Professor Kantrowitz as my English teacher in college and I was glad I took his class. He mentioned during class that he wrote a book dealing with his sexuality. I think I might have been the only person to read it. Arnie makes the book his and flies with it. I am amazed that he is as bright and cheerfull as he is today considering. I spoke with him in office about the book and a brief shadow of sadness reflected on his face. I give due credit to him for the strength he has and the obstacles he overcame.
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly honest...I identified with every page!
Review: This coming out story should be required reading! To all those who thought the "classic" coming out story was John Reid's BEST LITTLE BOY IN THE WORLD, all I can say is, you must read UNDER THE RAINBOW. Arnie Kantrowitz is open and honest about his life in a way Reid never attempted. Reading this book, I was frequently moved to tears as I recognized in his story the same experiences I had had in my own coming-out process. It is a shame that this book is not better known; it is the best book of its kind that I have ever read. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Under the Rainbow
Review: This is a sweet, wonderful, easily readable book about one man's life before and after Stonewall.First-person stories about being gay can be boring, especially if they've very confessional in nature. Kantrowitz thankfully avoids that. He speaks about the inside politics of gay rights organizing, and relationships with family, lovers and friends, without bitterness.... One of things I found most interesting in Under The Rainbow was the portrayal of Arnie's mother. Like Arnie, I'm Jewish, and personally, I've come to find the doting, ...nurturing "greenhorn" yiddishe mama figure in literature two-dimensional and unrealistic. In contrast, Arnie's portrayal of his mother is that of a complex, intelligent, resourceful woman tormented by being of two mindsets, that of New York City and "the shtetl". ... Under the Rainbow also explores the dynamics of poverty in the Jewish community, which is a refreshing change from the usual first-generation-tailor-second-generation-doctor immigrant success story. I'm also gay, and this book make me grateful for the freedoms I have now. I hope that more gay people in their twenties read this. Knowing one's own history is important. I don't have any harsh criticisms of this book. Would every gay person see themselves in this book? Probably not, but it's ridiculous to presume that all gay people should. Some readers would probably be rankled by Kantrowitz's left-wing politics (though others would say he isn't radical enough), others by the S and M, others by not seeing their specific ethnic groups represented. You can't please everyone. How much can you fit in one book that you can still carry around? The only reason I don't give it more than four stars is that I'm not sure any book is perfect.
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