Closet Queens: Some 20th Century British Politicians
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.19 (924 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1408704129 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-04-19 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Michael Bloch was born in 1953 and trained for the law. From 1979 he assisted Maître Suzanne Blum, the Parisian lawyer of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. . He is the author of several books on the Windsors as well as other acclaimed works of non-fiction
Jill Meyer said "Sir Norman Fry" really exists!. British author Michael Bloch has written "Closet Queens" an interesting look at gay British politicians in the last 150 or so years. However, Bloch seems to include some well-known politicians - Winston Churchill, for example - in his book, who was not sexually gay, but rather enjoyed the company of men, over the company of women. And others who were asexual and didn't have sex with ANYONE, let alone another man! But there were plenty of other men who were either bisexual or homosexua. "And so what ?" according to Sascot. I was not sure what to expect of this book before reading it and having done so, am not certain that I have gained anything from it. There is no doubt that the author has gone to great lengths to research detail but I was heartily disappointed to find passages lifted from another publication. Names cascade out of the pages of this book as does the technical detail of the politics of the times, which really were of no interest. So is this book really just made up by simply putting the . Excellent reading. S. Murphy Excellent reading.
This is a serious historical subject Bloch shows that there was a far more extensive network of covert homosexuality than has hitherto been recognised, and there is no longer any need for reticence in admitting it -- John Campbell Independent The tales of secret love affairs and repressed emotions of some of Britain's past and (slightly) present MPs are told with an absorbing and gossipy literary tone, shining a light on some fascinating characters The cunning required to avoid being caught seems to have played a significant role in the successful careers outlined in Closet Queens The book gives a fascinating insight into the political times in which these men operated,
An entertaining and insightful account of some extraordinary personalities, Closet Queens opens doors into a hidden world.. As all homosexual activity was illegal until 1967, and exposure meant ruin and disgrace, such men were obliged either to repress their sexual feelings or else lead double lives, indulging their tastes secretly while respectably married with children.The need to cover up their sexuality, while causing problems and disappointments, often sharpened their skills as politicians - they were masters of secrecy and subterfuge, and knew how to take calculated risks. Closet Queens is a fascinating study of gay men in twentieth century British politics, from Lord Rosebery and Lord Beauchamp in Edwardian times to Michael Portillo and Peter Mandelson in our own era