Amazons: The Forgotten Tribe [Paperback]

Martha Mattson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

Amazons the Forgotten Tribe tells the secrets of sexual attractions and the truth about being gay. This nonfiction book is a HETEROSEXUAL'S JOURNEY into the gay and lesbian world to understand sexuality in all its complexity, and, surprisingly, simplicity.

Includes twelve personal stories, the author's journal, a TIME LINE social and legal history of homosexuality and the prejudice against it. The biology and genetics of sexuality, the BIBLE and sexuality, and more. Eleven charming full-page ink drawings by Chris Briscoe illustrate the stories. Includes a GLOSSARY of the vocabulary of the gay community. Why are men fascinated with Amazons? Do they exist? What does a man want in a woman? Why are heterosexual men attracted to lesbians? Learn about the mysterious relationships between the sexes -- heterosexuals and homosexuals. What is it like to find out you're married to a gay man? How many sexes are there? Read about GENDERBLENDS. Lesbian women and gay men tell their stories: how they discovered their sexuality and their private lives and feelings. Meet the tough CEO of her own company, the ex-Mother Superior, the grandmother, Sally who's painfully in the closet, and Ted who finds true love after a disastrous year. This book tells the real causes of homosexuality (not your relationship with your father) and the pain of being without a family. Understand your lesbian daughters and gay sons. A new look at the Bible and homosexuality. We all relate to each other sexually we need to understand the truth about sexuality. All your questions answered. Mattson asks the questions you want to ask. This positive and objective book has been enthusiastically received by both heterosexual and homosexual readers, clergy, and the full age-spectrum of readers from teenagers to people in their nineties.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have to finish a chapter when I start one. My roommate stayed home all day reading it." -- UCLA, college student

"The strongest book I've read on this subject, and among the top fifty books I've read on any subject ever." -- Catherine Randolph, The Experience, Santa Fe, New Mexico

A beautiful and enlightening book; it makes everything seem normal." -- A letter from the mother of a lesbian daughter

About the Author

Martha Mattson grew up in western Michigan and received an M.A. in literature from the University of Michigan in 1968. She lives in Southern California. Illustrator Chris Briscoe lives in Malibu, California, and talented 22-year-old cover artist and designer Andrew Gill lives in San Diego, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Amazon Pr; First Edition edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965894746
• ISBN-13: 978-0965894746
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,087,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, November 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Amazons: The Forgotten Tribe (Paperback)

This book should be required reading at every college and university. I graduated from UCLA two years ago and I knew nothing (nothing true) about gay people. I am a conservative Christian and had been taught that gay people are sinning against God. Now I know different. This book was fun to read -- I laughed and cried -- and I loved the people I met in it. I now feel more comfortable about homosexuality because I see it as a natural part of the natural world. I really enjoyed the parts about the Bible, and I agree that Jesus wants us to love and not to judge. This book makes so much sense.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cuts Straight to the Chase About Homosexuality, November 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Amazons: The Forgotten Tribe (Paperback)

This book is a wonder - a landmark of research and insight into the generally misconstrued world of gay people. Up close and personal, this book will lead you to view gays in a brighter light. Particularly for heterosexual readers, it will make the other sexual orientation seem understandable and non-threatening, you'll even come to realize how valuable their contributions are to society as we know it. That old feeling of guardedness (that I've learned comes with ignorance) will fall away when you gain knowledge of the truth from reading Amazons the Forgotten Tribe.

One of the biggest pluses you get from reading this book is that there is no propoganda involved like there often is when a lesbian or gay man writes a book about this subject. Many lesbians that lack perception don't understand that other people simply don't want to read a book that caters fawningly to their segregated lifestyle. This book is different in that it is honest and pulls no punches for anyone. It also seems to effortlessly convey life truths to the unbiased reader. I can see why some lesbians may respond in emotionally-loaded anger -- the book strikes a little too close to home.

A powerful read. If you are in the mood to be enlightened on a subject that is still a mystery to most of the world (even at the 21st century mark!), check this book out. A truly elevating work. . .

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Pastoral Tool, March 31, 2000

By 

Father Wayne Sanders (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazons: The Forgotten Tribe (Paperback)

I've given the book Amazons the Forgotten Tribe to many people at church to read and then I discuss it with them. I have been pleased with the positive response the book brings from the parishioners and their willingness to read this book (often when they would read no other book on the subject of gay people). After reading the book they have great willingness and openness to discuss the issues Martha Mattson's book addresses.

I have recommended this book to other pastors and counselors I know, and they too are finding it a most helpful pastoral tool.