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brookslikesbooks's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
5.0
A beautiful and important piece of trans history
jackmeraxes's review against another edition
4.0
This is an historically and artistically important book into lives that until quite recently were invisible to the cishetero world. For myself, as a transmasculine person, it is at once deeply triggering and empowering. Hearing and especially seeing trans men going through the same struggles I have prior to, during, and after transition opens a sense of community and continuity that is lacking in my daily life as someone living in a rural area.
A note for readers, particularly trans folk: this book was published in 1996, & depicts the lives of trans men from the 1950s up until that time. Some of the language used--particularly the difference between transsexual and transgender--has evolved since then. The surgical options have likewise evolved, and a reader considering bottom surgery especially should not be daunted solely by the discomfort expressed by certain subjects here.
A note for readers, particularly trans folk: this book was published in 1996, & depicts the lives of trans men from the 1950s up until that time. Some of the language used--particularly the difference between transsexual and transgender--has evolved since then. The surgical options have likewise evolved, and a reader considering bottom surgery especially should not be daunted solely by the discomfort expressed by certain subjects here.
zoolmcg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
I remember encountering this book about a year or so ago while loking for trans books in my uni library. Until now, I never checked it out, and I'm so glad I did. Cameron gives us beautiful, meaningful, first of their kind documentary images of FTM life that genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
It's hard to discern which series is my favourite, but based on how powerful they were, I'd have to mark out God's Will as a few of the best. The third image, where the flash bulb is in one hand and the T-shot is in the other is one of the most genius compositions I've come across. I could quite literally stare at these three photos for hours and discover more about myself and what it is to be transsexual. It's a wonderful way of showing our lives.
My only criticism of this book is in the way its writing could've been improved. Certain sections in the into could've been edited or even expanded on. I am totally gripped by the FTM community in 1990s San Francisco, and I almost felt cheated that I couldn't learn the whole story. It's wonderful to see the same men's names crop up in all of the texts I'm reading, but again, I want more from them! I wish their interviews and portraits were multiple pages long. I wish I could glean even more from Cameron's analysis of his own upbrinigng and work. It's stunning.
I'd definitely recommend this book (if you can find it physically, the experience is unparallel to PDFs I've seen online), and that would go twofold for transsexuals. I'd say this is an essential piece of art we must all study for the betterment of our own understanding. I have immense respect for the transmen that came before me. I am in awe of this book and all of the men involved with it.
It's hard to discern which series is my favourite, but based on how powerful they were, I'd have to mark out God's Will as a few of the best. The third image, where the flash bulb is in one hand and the T-shot is in the other is one of the most genius compositions I've come across. I could quite literally stare at these three photos for hours and discover more about myself and what it is to be transsexual. It's a wonderful way of showing our lives.
My only criticism of this book is in the way its writing could've been improved. Certain sections in the into could've been edited or even expanded on. I am totally gripped by the FTM community in 1990s San Francisco, and I almost felt cheated that I couldn't learn the whole story. It's wonderful to see the same men's names crop up in all of the texts I'm reading, but again, I want more from them! I wish their interviews and portraits were multiple pages long. I wish I could glean even more from Cameron's analysis of his own upbrinigng and work. It's stunning.
I'd definitely recommend this book (if you can find it physically, the experience is unparallel to PDFs I've seen online), and that would go twofold for transsexuals. I'd say this is an essential piece of art we must all study for the betterment of our own understanding. I have immense respect for the transmen that came before me. I am in awe of this book and all of the men involved with it.
chlorentine's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Things weren't all that different then, though in other ways they were. Max Valerio once again making unwelcome quips and being a pain in my ass.
blackberryjambaby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
unnamedcryptid's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Had the chance to check this out for a little while at my school library (very awesome, since the book is out of print and way too difficult to find now) and so glad I did. A really amazing and interesting piece of trans history and such great trans stories!