A Little Gay History: Desire and Diversity Across the World
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.86 (510 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 023116663X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 128 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-02-01 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
B. Consulting ancient Egyptian papyri, the Roman Warren Cup's erotic figures, David Hockney's vivid prints, and dozens of other artifacts, R. The first of its kind, A Little Gay History builds a complex and creative portrait of love's many guises.. When was the first chat line between men established? Who was the first "lesbian"? Were ancient Greek men who had sex with each other necessarily "gay," and what did Shakespeare think about crossdressing?A Little Gay History answers these questions and more through close readings of art objects from the British Museum's far-ranging collection. Parkinson draws attention to a diverse range of same-sex experiences and situates them within specific historical and cultural contexts
A True Treasure There are few LGBT History Books out there – and I have read quite a few of them – that are more heart-warming and charming. For one thing, the compactness of this little book makes it unique; yet, even though everything here is obviously condensed and reduced to a few examples taken from 9,000 BC to the present day, you never feel the story being told is superficial or in any way lacking. What I personally really loved is the fact that it’s the British Museum London that issued this book as a sort of catalogue for their visitors, guiding them to the “gay” goodies. Parkinson does a great job of describing each artwork A survey of art featuring homoerotic themes and general same-sex desires. Parkinson does a great job of describing each artwork, but also the place of same-sex desire in each society that produced the works. It makes a brief survey of the changing opinions of same-sex relationships, from nigh-institutionalized in ancient Rome and Greece, to villified in the dark and middle ages, and finally nearing acceptance in the modern day.The "Little" in the title is right, though. The book goes fast, and it leaves you wishing it was a bit longer. It's short to go along with other little history books, th. "Little Can Be Good" according to Gary L. Magruder. If you are well read , aware of history and the arts , this may be pleasant diversion-- but brief. This is a book to give to a non gay friend who would appreciate or need a touch of education on same sex love. It is dipping one's toes in calm waters giving one a smile .If you are an academic in the realm of GLBT history ,you may feel a bit drowsy and learn little . So much is relative in this case--- a little may be good for Mother or Aunt ; for the more sophisticated, one might long for bigger guns to be fired into the depths of history.
The book also includes brief, captivating profiles of gay and lesbian artists, including the sculptors Hedwig Marquardt and Augusta Kaiser, and novelist Virginia Woolf. The long history of intolerance is interwoven through the artwork as well, and while facts surrounding the persecution and execution of sodomites are unsettling, the book is not overtly political. (Sept.) . Other pieces are more ambiguous: artistic renderings that suggest love between Samurai warriors; an Ancient Egyptian tomb that may have been made for a same-sex couple; and Shakespearean sonnets that allude to bisexual relationships. Parkinson successfully shows that same-sex love and desire are an integral part of human history: On a long view, no one occupies the centre. From Publishers Weekly Through meticulous research and compassionate narration, British Museum curator Parkinson (Voices from Ancient Egypt) brings to light a collection of art objects from the British Museum's collection that illustrate