Men Like That : A Southern Queer History

Rating:
Summary: A Humane and Surprising Queer History
Review: "Men Like That" takes us on journeys to places that have rarely been written about before--to sites of queer culture, to places in the heart and mind, to relationships that defy categorizing. Anyone--gay, straight, or otherwise--who has felt isolated because of their sexuality, and whose isolation was lessened by an unpredictable connection with someone else, will benefit from this well-written, well-researched, and fascinating book. Perhaps Howard's most important contribution to the history of queer life is the fact that he questions identity as the primary category for queer folk to attach to, and he makes that challenge with historical evidence, not ideological platitudes or post-modern LitSpeak. The deeply humane premise--that desire links us, one and all, to create connections with others and so to make communities that may not be mappable--asks readers to consider desire at once on its own terms, and as embedded in the curious and mundane stuff of daily life. The book aims most of all to contribute to a better understanding of the human condition, which is, in my view, a relief.

Rating:
Summary: A Humane and Surprising Queer History
Review: "Men Like That" takes us on journeys to places that have rarely been written about before--to sites of queer culture, to places in the heart and mind, to relationships that defy categorizing. Anyone--gay, straight, or otherwise--who has felt isolated because of their sexuality, and whose isolation was lessened by an unpredictable connection with someone else, will benefit from this well-written, well-researched, and fascinating book. Perhaps Howard's most important contribution to the history of queer life is the fact that he questions identity as the primary category for queer folk to attach to, and he makes that challenge with historical evidence, not ideological platitudes or post-modern LitSpeak. The deeply humane premise--that desire links us, one and all, to create connections with others and so to make communities that may not be mappable--asks readers to consider desire at once on its own terms, and as embedded in the curious and mundane stuff of daily life. The book aims most of all to contribute to a better understanding of the human condition, which is, in my view, a relief.

Rating:
Summary: The first of its kind--and more can be done!
Review: A wonderful book, a revolutionary book, a truthfully human book. Make no mistake: this is not a dense sociological-historical work distanced by academic patois one plows through for what insights might be obscured therein, but a scholarly work marked by clean prose and a clean treatment of male-to male sex, employinging the language that most often informs such experiences as they are experienced. John Howard's oral and regional histories, insights and analysis extend in so many directions, opens up so many spaces that extended and opened up this reader's awareness, not the least of which was how mislead conventional concepts of male sexuality have been.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting yet mired analysis
Review: Having spent a portion of my youth in Mississippi, I was certainly
interested in the notion of a study devoted entirely to the state's
gay 20th century history. Unfortunately, I felt that the book lacked
focus and organization in the presentation of material. Sub-headings
of the book began focused but digressed into unrelated topics. The
shifting of person was bothersome as well. In first person, the book
was intimate. In third, it was analytical. Swinging both ways jarred
the flow terribly. Howard seemed bound by awkward ... All told, the
subject material was fascinating but lacking in a cohesive and
professional layout.


Rating:
Summary: An interesting yet mired analysis
Review: Having spent a portion of my youth in Mississippi, I was certainly
interested in the notion of a study devoted entirely to the state's
gay 20th century history. Unfortunately, I felt that the book lacked
focus and organization in the presentation of material. Sub-headings
of the book began focused but digressed into unrelated topics. The
shifting of person was bothersome as well. In first person, the book
was intimate. In third, it was analytical. Swinging both ways jarred
the flow terribly. Howard seemed bound by awkward ... All told, the
subject material was fascinating but lacking in a cohesive and
professional layout.


Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and Attention Keeper
Review: Men Like That is a wonderful book about Mississippi gay history. It is written by Dr. John Howard, whom himself is a gay Mississippian. Dr. Howard delves into history of gay Mississippi, something even gays in Mississippi have no idea exists, providing a sense of pride in our own community that no other person, author or otherwise, has been able to do, or tried to do. Often is the case, the Southern states are overlooked in their roles in gay history. It took a gay man from Mississippi, to bring to light Mississippi gay history. Thank you Dr. Howard.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and Attention Keeper
Review: Men Like That is a wonderful book about Mississippi gay history. It is written by Dr. John Howard, whom himself is a gay Mississippian. Dr. Howard delves into history of gay Mississippi, something even gays in Mississippi have no idea exists, providing a sense of pride in our own community that no other person, author or otherwise, has been able to do, or tried to do. Often is the case, the Southern states are overlooked in their roles in gay history. It took a gay man from Mississippi, to bring to light Mississippi gay history. Thank you Dr. Howard.