- Hardcover: 480 pages
- Publisher: Metropolitan Books; First Edition edition (Aug 15 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0805045597
- ISBN-13: 978-0805045598
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 4.1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 839 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,184,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
"Antipathy, condemnation, loathing, fear and proscription of homosexual behavior" have taken many forms over the centuries. In this lucid history, Fone (The Columbia Encyclopedia of Gay Literature) charts the ways in which homophobia has induced legal, medical, social and ecclesiastical authorities to punishAand killAgay men. Drawing upon accepted classics of gay studiesAJohn Boswell's Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality, David F. Greenberg's Construction of Homosexuality and Jonathan Ned Katz's Gay/Lesbian Almanac, as well as other books and articlesAFone's compendium of social intolerance argues that, despite social progress, hating homosexuals is "the last acceptable prejudice." The litany of horrorsAbiblical condemnation, slander, whipping, imprisonment, drowning, garroting and castrationAis chilling, yet even more disturbing is the author's contention that violence against homosexuals has been central to Western culture. Nonetheless, several flaws keep the book from becoming more than a well-written primer. For one, Fone contributes little original research, instead relying on traditional lesbian and gay scholarship, yet he ignores some of the newest, most challenging work in the field (such as Carolyn Dinshaw's Getting Medieval). Most provocatively, while he addresses the differences between essentialist and social constructionist theories of gay identity, he declares that homophobia has a clear, unchanging, social and political character. Also problematic is the book's failure to address the violence perpetuated against lesbians. Still, at a time when the word "homophobia" is dismissed by many as politically correct rhetoric, Fone's work remains a powerful introduction to the undeniable historical impact of the attitudes it describes. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Recognizing that homophobia manifests itself in many forms over time, Fone (emeritus, CUNY), compiler of the definitive Columbia Anthology of Gay Literature and author of the highly acclaimed novel American Studies, suggests that a better term for the phenomena he seeks to explicate is the plural, homophobias, to indicate the variety of expressions of feeling: fear, contempt, disgust, hatred, and prejudice. His historical survey focuses on prejudice against male homosexuality in the West. Each section consists of several essays on particular eras (e.g., Antiquity, Enlightenment, Victorian) and aspects (legal, religious, psychological) of the topic in Western culture. Breathtaking in scope, Fone's work shines with his ability to synthesize vast amounts of material coherently and accessibly. This is not simply a chronology, since his interpretations are thorough and well documented. Recommended for all academic libraries and larger public libraries.DD.S. Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Nearly every age reinvents Greece in its own image. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Nearly every age reinvents Greece in its own image. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting (Though Often Horrific) Survey,
By
This review is from: Homophobia: A History (Hardcover)
Byrne Fone, in Homophobia A History, looks at exactly what the title states. It is the perfect book for those interested in a first look at the subject of homosexuality through the ages in European and American culture. It is neither particulary scholary or exhaustive and while each of the specific topics (such as literature) or eras (such as medieval) is covered more thouroughly elsewhere, this book provides a fascinating glimpse at the horrendous forces at play through homophobia, whether religious, civil or personal, as they have shaped society from ancient Greece to Stonewall. There are certain gaps, such as the absence of a discussion of Europe during the twentienth century. It is a horrifying glimpse into the history of a destructive mindset and the author handles the subject matter in an illuminating and interesting fashion.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting historical review,
By
This review is from: Homophobia: A History (Hardcover)
Fone presents in this work a very comprehensive, but readable piece of scholarship on attitudes toward homosexuality (mainly of the gay male variety) in the Western world. We learn a lot about Greek and Roman history, severe attitudes against gays in the middle ages, and a mixed view of homosexuality in the Renaissance era. My only complaint is not enough attention was given to the modern question of homophobia, with the last 30 years wrapped up in mere pages. A historical perspective is great, but only if it is related to how things stand today. I would have liked to have seen more about how AIDS may have set back gay rights in the 1980s, the successes and failures of legislative attempts to both enhance and take away from the rights of our g/l/b/t brothers and sisters. Maybe Fone is going to give us a part two?
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, eye-opening,
By A Customer
This review is from: Homophobia: A History (Hardcover)
I was enthralled by this lively, meticulous piece of scholarship, which draws from literature and history its often disturbing conclusions. An incredible work of research and application of findings. Full of interesting insights and details. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read something both educational and engrossing.
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