Review by Choice Review
Murphy, who writes frequently on gay topics, focuses this guide on academic literature important to gay and lesbian studies. Each of approximately 500 alphabetically arranged, signed essays on a broad range of topics (bisexuality and transgenderism are touched briefly) runs one to five pages in length, briefly discussing the topic before providing short critical paragraphs on five to ten significant works (primarily monographs). Since the articles are written by a wide range of scholars, quality varies, but most are surprisingly readable and could be understood by nonacademics. Bibliographies are generally up-to-date and include the most significant works, although knowledgeable readers might discover occasional omissions. The handy "Booklist Index" and general index conclude the volume. More than a few of the reviewers are graduate students, but many have gay/lesbian writing credentials that validate their authority. Murphy's guide updates Wayne R. Dynes's essential Homosexuality: A Research Guide (CH, Jul'87), anthologies like The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader, ed. by Henry Abelove et al. (1993), and the fine St. James Press Gay & Lesbian Almanac, ed. by Neil Schlager (CH, Mar'99), which features extensive unannotated bibliographies. Highly recommended as a collection aid for all libraries supporting lesbian and gay studies. A. J. Adam; Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
