Uncovering the lost history of gay; lesbian; bisexual; and transgender artists in New York City. Queer people have always flocked to New York seeking freedom; forging close-knit groups for support and inspiration. Gay Gotham brings to life the countercultural artistic communities that sprang up over the last hundred years; a creative class whose radical ideas would determine much of modern culture. More than 200 images—both works of art; such as paintings and photographs; as well as letters; snapshots; and ephemera—illuminate their personal bonds; scandal-provoking secrets at the time and many largely unknown to the public since. Starting with the bohemian era of the 1910s and 1920s; when the pansy craze drew voyeurs of all types to Greenwich Village and Harlem; the book winds through midcentury Broadway as well as Fire Island as it emerged as a hotbed; turns to the post-Stonewall; decade-long wild party that revolved around clubs like the Mineshaft and Studio 54; and continues all the way through the activist mobilization spurred by the AIDS crisis and the move toward acceptance at the century’s close. Throughout; readers encounter famous figures; from James Baldwin and Mae West to Leonard Bernstein; and discover lesser-known ones; such as Harmony Hammond; Greer Lankton; and Richard Bruce Nugent. Surprising relationships emerge: Andy Warhol and Mercedes de Acosta; Robert Mapplethorpe and Cecil Beaton; George Platt Lynes and Gertrude Stein. By peeling back the overlapping layers of this cultural network that thrived despite its illicitness; this groundbreaking publication reveals a whole new side of the history of New York and celebrates the power of artistic collaboration to transcend oppression.
#3594069 in Books 1990-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 6.00 x 1.00l; #File Name: 0842023755250 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy bierhausserexcellent book.12 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A Little DisappointingBy Kostya_2000I started out very involved and interested in Connelly's premise; but as the book went on; he strained his credibility.With such misleading statements as; "Massena scored a victory over [Wellington] at Bussaco in September 1810;" Connelly made me wonder just how strenuously he had checked his facts and just what he may have twisted to suit his argument. Bussaco was a clear defeat for Massena; who had thrown five assaults at the British/Portuguese troops and been repulsed in every case. The allies were not only left in possession of the battlefield but had lost approximately 1;000 men to Massena's 4;000. How Connelly could count that as a victory for Massena is beyond me. Unless; of course the fact that; two days AFTER the battle; Massena's drive to outflank the allies caused Wellington to start his strategic withdrawal toward the Lines of Torres Vedras; is what Connelly calls a "victory."And it made me wonder; what else did Connelly change or leave out...what may he have glossed over because it didn't suit his argument? One reviewer here complained that Connelly covered Napoleon's early battles extensively but barely covered what some consider to be Napoleon's most brilliant display of genius: the battles of 1814. Was 1814 glossed over; perhaps; because it was damaging to Connelly's argument? Who knows? It's too bad; really. This book had great promise; but it lost me through sheer sloppiness. My recommendation: Read it for its interesting approach; but don't expect to be convinced by the end of it.12 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Napoleon in a NutshellBy Jan JeffI first read this little gem in 1992 I've just finished my 4th enjoyable reading. Personally; I can't think of a more readable; economical; introduction to the Napoleonic wars. Following an introductory chapter on Bonaparte; each chapter examines a separate campaign (Italy; Austerlitz; Spain; Russia etc). Professor Connely's lifetime of scholarship in this field is well reflected throughout to include a comprehensive bibliography and a very good bibliographic essay examining works published since the first edition of this book. Whether you agree or disagree with his thesis (Napoleon the opportunist) this work is well worth the price. I also recommend Connelly's FRENCH REVOLUTION/NAPOLEONIC ERA; a short but well-done college text examing the military; political and cultural events of that period. Prior to attacking David Chandler's massive opus The CAMPAIGNS of NAPOLEON; also seeDavid Gates' The NAPOLEONIC WARS; Charles Esdaile's Thr WARS of NAPOLEON Gunther Rothenberg's ART of WAR in the AGE of NAPOLEON.All three are available in paperback. Happy reading!
