Bert & Lori [Hardcover]

Robert J. Rowe (Author), Vern L. Bullough (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

Though Robert J. Rowe has disguised his true identity, this is the true story of a college history instructor and writer who leads a altogether alternative life at home, with his loving and understanding wife. This unapologetic fetishist reveals how he became interested in women's clothing, explores his sexual development, and details a personal interest that turned into a private lifestyle, as well as a new area of study for the scholar. More than just a straightforward autobiography, Bert & Lori reaches beyond the personal to include thoughtful psychological and behavioural issues imbedded in cross-dressing.Helping to make this book a one-of-a-kind are the additional writings by Jill Rowe, the author's wife, an experienced journalist who adds her unique perspective on the secret life she shares with her husband. Mrs Rowe's candid yet moving and exciting reflections stand as the only systematic discussion to date of the experiences of a cross-dresser's wife. "Bert & Lori" is highly personal and frank regarding sexual issues; a story that others dare not write. Yet it also contains virtually all available research on cross-dressing, the philosophy that inspired the author, and recollections of his first failed marriage. Written clearly and convincingly, the book allows the public to look at transvestism with open eyes and with understanding.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cross-dressing, the self-identified heterosexual author argues, is a fetish rather than a sign of confusion about one's gender, at least for him. Married twice and a father, art historian Bert Rowe--called Lori by his wife when he dresses up once a month to do the housework and engage in extended sex play-smoothly incorporates extensive research into his personal narrative, going so far as to include an appendix of his analysis of cross-dressing fantasy fiction. Unfortunately, Rowe does not restrain himself from going off on tangents or including large portions of his life experience that bear little direct relation to his cross-dressing. As a result, this book will be of greatest interest to researchers looking for raw material--the life story of a cross-dresser--to incorporate into their own studies. Rowe's wife contributes a less than gracious postscript on being the spouse of a cross-dresser.

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 388 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573921491
• ISBN-13: 978-1573921497
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Biographies & Memoirs > Transgender

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst CD book ever, May 6, 2009

By 

M. A. Gilbert "Miqqi Alicia" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bert & Lori (Hardcover)

This is a terrible book. It is written by someone who has never left his back yard cross-dressed, never been involved in a CD club, never been to a CD event. The book is primarily a diatribe against his wife - one long boring argument about how everything was her fault. Don't waste your money.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bert & Lori : The Autobiography of a Crossdresser, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bert & Lori (Hardcover)

THe Autobiography of a cross-dresser was a unique book, It gave the reader a unique understnading of cross-dressing from the cross-dresser and from his own words. It also gives a history of when the author started and How it affects his life now, All in All it was a good book

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book, very informative!, January 14, 2002

By 

"devilcakes" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bert & Lori (Hardcover)

Bert does not fit the typical "stereotype" I'm sure many people have. He's not gay for one thing. Most cross-dressers aren't, but there is so little information in the "real world". This book is a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend it for married couples dealing with these issues. Bert is basically your average guy, except for the fact he likes wearing dresses!