The Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality [Paperback]

C. E. Crimmins (Author), Tom O'Leary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

"The Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality" offers a humorous look at the strange and often inexplicable habits of heterosexuals. This book not only tells you everything you need to know about the straight world (and then some), but answers questions that have probably been plaguing you for years, like>What are they carrying in all those minivans?Why are their dogs so big?Why are they afraid of bright colors?Why do show tunes scare them?How do you know when you're in one of their neighborhoods?
As well as the perennial stopper: What do heterosexuals do in bed together?

You never know when you're going to bump into heterosexual--today they everywhere--but with this handy guide, you'll be prepared for any encounter.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Anthropology comes in many guises, and while many Westerners earlier in the 20th century may have been thrilled to read about the mating habits of the folks of Samoa, we, as a culture, have become somewhat more sophisticated. That is why A Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality is a vital and important book.

Taking their cue from Thorstein Veblen's classic The Theory of the Leisure Class, which used traditional anthropological methods for examining the lives of the rich and entitled, C.E. Crimmins and Tom O'Leary have put together a guide that explains (for the clueless queer) why straight people act the way they do. From heterosexual food (Cheese Whiz, Pringles, Tang, and Rice-A-Roni) to heterosexual music (Loretta Lynn, Smashing Pumpkins, AC/DC) to heterosexual casual wear (nylon black socks, funny tweed hats, and leather sandals with white socks), the authors explicate how the other 90 percent live. While not all the jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, there are a dozen or so on a page, so you never go long without at least a sustained giggle. Blatantly homo-chauvinistic, A Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality uses humor and gay wit to explain how all of us live today. --Michael Bronski

Product Details

• Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312181027
• ISBN-13: 978-0312181024
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,607,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They're here to stay, so we best understand them!, July 11, 1998

By 

David Scott - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality (Paperback)

Buy two copies -- one for your bookself and one for your medicine cabinet. It's the perfect cure for all those headaches caused by, well you know, them. Bad day at the office? Read chapter 1 (overview). Sick of your favorite movie being pre-empted by the...playoffs? Is that what they call them?...Read chapter 7 (sports). Nauseated from a trip to the mall? Read chapter 6 (lifestyle). The strong of constitution may want to brave chapter 3 (mating habits). The section on the honeymoon is truly our Rosetta stone. I laughed so hard I nearly spewed latte!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must For Every Coffee Table in the World!, September 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality (Paperback)

O'Leary & Crimmins have done a marvelous job of sending up that terrifyingly odd collection of human beings called heterosexuals. This is a witty, sometimes cheeky and always funny poke into the ribs of straight America. And it's about time!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uncle Mame reviews the must-read of the Summer!, May 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality (Paperback)

A Gay Man's Guide to Heterosexuality by C.E. Crimmins and Tom O'Leary. Besides being the #1 Best-Selling Gay & Lesbian Nonfiction Book in the US it's also a hoot beyond words. Virtually a sick and highly humorous explanation of those who begat us all, it's guaranteed to have you on the floor doubled over (not with your legs in the air) but this time with genuine gut laughter - - the kind you havent had since the early Woody Allen films. From the McCall's-type photo illustration on the cover through this humorous look at the strange habits of heterosexuals, this is the best beach-read of the summer! Or the perfect hostess gift! Anyway you look at het-life or at yourself you can't go wrong with a copy stuffed in your speedos on Fire Island, The Russian River, Key West Provincetown or Boys Town. A hit for all seasons, a palpable hit!