Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America

I'm learning so much about lesbian history in the US from this book! I would definitely recommend it.The author seems unbiased and cautious when claiming that historical figures were gay. And unlike many scholars today, she avoids labeling lesbians from history (even gender-nonconforming ones) as trans men. She understands that to dress up as a man meant something different in a world that gave women very few options.The one thing I disagree with her on is that she holds a culturally-based view of lesbianism, claiming that people are not necessarily "born gay". Even though I disagree, I understand where she's coming from, and it doesn't keep me from enjoying the book.

I wanted to learn more about my history and lesbian culture and I definitely found it in this book. Though Faderman doesn't do very well with hiding her biases at the same time it wasn't too difficult to treat the book as a part of history and not a tell-all authority on it.It's important to note that Faderman seems to purposefully leave out trans men and trans women from her histories, and some of her views on lesbian movements in the 70s and 80s (the times, I would think, that most effected her present while writing the book) are strikingly biased. But, none the less this book is now almost 28 years old which makes it more a part of history than an authority on it, and it's well worth the read - as long as you make an effort to read other histories and do your own research.

Informative, but intentionally erases trans men and women's experiences. Apparently the author writes for general LGBT things though nowadays.

I enjoyed reading this book. It gives a thorough history of queer women that was interesting to see how we got to current day events, how far we've come, and how history goes in waves. It is jammed packed with information.

I had to delete this review due to mistaken information. Since I have canceled the purchase, I cannot read it to give an accurate review.

No one ever told me about all this stuff. I'm so glad there is a book laying it all out. A very great read.

If you haven't read it, and you read any nonfiction at all and are LGBT- YOU WILL LOVE IT!

not a fan of the book

Excellent writer, mesmerisingly interesting book.

very informative

Excellent historical coverage. Highly recommended.