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Coming Out Under Fire |  | Author: Allan Berube
Publisher: Free Press
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy Used: $4.45
as of 9/7/2010 08:57 CDT details
You Save: $21.50 (83%)
Seller: belltowerbooks
Rating:  reviews
Media: Paperback
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 0743210719
Dewey Decimal Number: 305
EAN: 9780743210713
ASIN: 0743210719
Publication Date: April 1, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Allan Berube chronicles the story of the thousands of gay men and lesbian women who were among those proudly serving their country during the World War II years. Coming Out Under Fire is an invaluable contribution not only to gay history, but also to an aspect of our military history that is often ignored yet still affects thousands of GIs and veterans.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Ok book. October 26, 2009
C. J. Vazquez
I purchased this book for a class in college and found it an easy read. The subject matter is not one that generally interests me but the author keeps you engaged. The book has a good historical summary and does a good job at tying the issues it brings up to the world of today. An easy to enjoy book.
 Valuable source of gay veterans' stories June 19, 2008
Jay Gambol (Manila, Philippines)
The value of this book lies in its compilation of first-person, firsthand stories from WWII veterans about being gay or lesbian and in the service during the worst war ever fought. From how they answered the single psych screening question at induction: "Do you like girls?"; to the gleeful sneaking around in basic or on base; to the heartbreaking stories of lovers losing each other on the battlefield, and the shocking humanity of straight comrades who found out; to the awfulness of being outed and the shame of the blue discharge--the vets' stories make this book worthwhile. When the book delves deep into policy discussions, or asserts its thesis that the GLBT experience in WWII helped structure the gay liberation movement of a generation later, it loses impact. Still, a worthwhile and necessary addition to any library about gay history, or World War II.
In-Depth, Scholarly, yet Engaging January 30, 2008
Gregory C. Eaton (New York, NY USA)
This is a very well-researched study of a subject that has long been hidden and ignored. In addition to being a top-quality study of America's treatment of gay & lesbian citizens in the WW II era, it is also important to help understand today's attitudes and problems. Most revealing is how the military's post-war changes in attitude propelled America's evolution into a homophobic nation.
Coming Out Under Fire November 2, 2007
Frederic A. Walker (Saskatoon, Sk, Canada)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This work is of sole academic interest. It would be particularly so to students of WW11, or the social history of the USA. It is a good read and quite informative regarding the lives of citizens who were to give us the modern society in which we live today.
A valuable perspective on World War II March 29, 2005
Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
"Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II," by Allan Berube, is a fascinating and well-written piece of American history. The author draws from a rich variety of sources in order to tell this story. Among the topics he covers are the following: the process of being inducted into the armed forces in that era, the experiences of gay people in the training phase, gay social life stateside (particularly in the major port cities), the threat of harassment by military police, the role of military psychiatrists in our culture's evolving understanding of homosexuality, and the experiences of gay soldiers in combat.
Berube also reveals the tensions that occurred within the military establishment as efforts were made to refine and reform policies dealing with homosexuality. He discusses the interrogation and imprisonment of gay troops. Other interesting topics covered are gay slang and coded language, and the use of female impersonators in GI shows like "This Is the Army."
The book includes a number of black-and-white photographs and reproductions. There is also a note on sources used, such as interviews, letters, and government documents. There are also extensive endnotes. Throughout the book, Berube brings forth the voices of many WW2 veterans. Ultimately he looks at the impact of WW2 on the evolution of gay culture and political activism. I consider this book to be an essential companion to Randy Shilts' monumental "Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military," which focuses on the post-WW2 era. "Coming Out Under Fire" is a remarkable achievement: poignant and inspiring, it is a valuable addition to the fields of both lesbian and gay studies and military history.
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