The Construction of Homosexuality [Hardcover]

David F. Greenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 1988

"At various times, homosexuality has been considered the noblest of loves, a horrible sin, a psychological condition or grounds for torture and execution. David F. Greenberg's careful, encyclopedic and important new book argues that homosexuality is only deviant because society has constructed, or defined, it as deviant. The book takes us over vast terrains of example and detail in the history of homosexuality."—Nicholas B. Dirks, New York Times Book Review

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This sociological history seeks to understand societal response to homosexuality. Part 1 is a primarily anthropological exploration of homosexuality from earliest history through feudalism; part 2 recounts the construction of a modern conception of homosexuality, including its emergence as an identifiable subculture, its medicalization, and the rise of the gay liberation movement. Some scholars may question Greenberg's emphasis on economic structures and class status, but this heavily researched work should be a vital building block in the growing field of gay studies. A final chapter details the problems of sociological research in this area. Index not seen. James E. Cook, Dayton & Montgomery Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 645 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1St Edition edition (December 9, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226306275
• ISBN-13: 978-0226306278
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Comparative" Homosexuality, April 22, 2011

By 

Kevin Song (NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Construction of Homosexuality (Paperback)

This book is in two parts. The first is an overview of historical concepts regarding what we would now call homosexuality. Often times they are very different from ours. Besides varying acceptance, from benign curiosity to moral outrage, some cultures would not understand the concept of a homosexual "identity", any more than we would acknowledge "pizza" identity or "Microsoft" identity. Some see it in a generational context, others in a social role context.

The second half uses these observations to argue that homosexuality, as a whole, is a sociological concept with biological aspects, similar to arguments made about race.

This book is pretty old, and more scholarly than political, so the tone may take getting used to. But it's worth it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, July 15, 2011

By 

T. Gray - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Construction of Homosexuality (Hardcover)

This is by far the most detailed review of the history of homosexuality that can be found in English. The bibliography - itself over 100 pages - is essential for any student of the subject. Most histories of homosexuality concentrate on the constructionist argument to the point of detracting from the history itself, and while Greenberg preaches like the rest of them whenever he finds the opportunity to do so, he at least prioritizes the historical and anthropological details, and his preaching is less dogmatic than that of others. To sum up, a thoroughly useful book, and very readable despite the average scholarly tone; I think Greenberg keeps it interesting simply by virtue of telling you what you want to know, and there is so much to tell that every page is packed with interesting information.

13 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very recommendable book, September 15, 2000

By 

SEBASTIANVS "libra64" (TOKYO Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Construction of Homosexuality (Paperback)

It is a very interesting and readable book. However, there're some incorrect quotes or sources. E.G. p.215 note 174, He cited one old (19 th century) book about Messalina. But as far as I know, her lesbianismus was not written in any classical texts. I couldn't find her same-sex passion either in Tacitus, Juvenalis, Suetonius or in Dion Cassios. The author himself should have read original Greek & Latin texts. Even I an ignorant Japanese did try to read them to find a written proof. And I hope some erudite persons will kindly teach me the authority of her sapphism.