Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
109 used & new from $0.51

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
When I Knew
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours here.
 
  

When I Knew (Paperback)

by Robert Trachtenberg (Author)
Key Phrases: Lily Tomlin, Swan Lake
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

List Price: $22.95
Price: $19.51 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $3.44 (15%)
  Special Offers Available
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 2 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want it delivered Tuesday, July 14? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
41 new from $1.93 66 used from $0.51 2 collectible from $22.95
Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback (Bargain Price) 15 used & new from $2.53
Library Binding $36.70 $36.70 4 used & new from $36.70

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Purchase this entertainment book and get 12 issues to either Rolling Stone, Men's Journal or Us Weekly for $2.95 each. That's less than $0.25 an issue. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Explore more great deals on 1000's of titles in our Bargain Book store.


Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with When I Knew

When I Knew + When I Knew
  • This item: When I Knew by Robert Trachtenberg

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • When I Knew

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World

The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World

by Alan Downs
4.5 out of 5 stars (41)  $10.85
For The Bible Tells Me So

For The Bible Tells Me So

DVD ~ Gene Robinson
4.6 out of 5 stars (72)  $19.99
Milk

Milk

DVD ~ Sean Penn
4.4 out of 5 stars (177)  $16.99
When You Are Engulfed in Flames

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

by David Sedaris
4.0 out of 5 stars (313)  $10.87
The Joy of Gay Sex, Revised & Expanded Third Edition

The Joy of Gay Sex, Revised & Expanded Third Edition

by Charles Silverstein
3.6 out of 5 stars (16)  $14.78
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When I was six," writes Tammy Lynn Michaels, "I loved my first grade teacher so much I knew I would have to grow up to be a boy so I could come back and ask her to marry me." Documentarian Trachtenberg (American Masters: On Cukor) brings together the comical, sometimes bitter and always poignant moments when gay men and women first realize (or admit) the truth about their own sexual preference. Trachtenberg has gathered some famous names for his collection (Gavin Lambert, Arthur Laurents, B.D. Wong, Simon Doonan), but perhaps the freshest stories come from voices unknown. What surprises is how often these moments stem from confrontations with an ostensibly heterosexual mass culture: TV, Broadway, the movies, organized sport—all of which are represented in the lavish set of collaged color illustrations that fill most every page, along with comics and candids of the contributors. Eugenio Zanetti recalls watching Miyoshi Umeki being kissed by Brando in Sayonara, in a theater in Buenos Aires in the 1950s, and leaning back in his seat "at the exact same angle as Miyoshi." For Eugenia Kurt, it was a mesmerizing encounter with Rosalind Russell in the nun comedy The Trouble with Angels. This book is composed of equal parts insight, shame and soul. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–A collection of anecdotes by 80 gay men and women about that moment when they first knew at some level the truth of their sexual orientation. Each story is accompanied by a photograph or cartoon that helps make the book visually appealing. Some of the selections are comical; others are poignant, like the one about the grandmother who made her grandson cry when she denounced parents who couldn't accept the truth. These people tell their stories with humor, courage, and defiance. There is plenty of food for thought and discussion within these pages.–Peggy Bercher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: HarperEntertainment (May 31, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060571462
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060571467
  • Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #358,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #10 in  Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction > Coming Out

Inside This Book (learn more)


What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(2)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews
5 star:
 (15)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful, June 18, 2005
Robert Trachtenberg's compilation of stories from gays and lesbians entitled, "When I Knew", is a beautiful book. The accounts telling of that special moment when one first knew he or she was gay reflect a wide spectrum of emotion.....some are funny, others simply poignant or moving. Trachtenberg reminds us, especially, of a time when being gay was substantially more difficult than it is today, but it's also a reminder that those difficulties still abound. "When I Knew" should be required reading not only by men and women who have had, or do now, struggle with their sexual identity, but it should also be read by those who wish to make gay people's lives harder. When one reads these mostly short contributions it's hard not to feel empathy, love and concern. I highly recommend this book, not only for its beauty but also for its timeliness.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Ladies and Gentleman.....Cher!, August 1, 2005
By Joe Kort "www.joekort.com" (Royal Oak, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I knew I was gay when I used to put my sister's black tights on my head and throw back the legs as if they were my hair the way Cher would do on the "Sonny and Cher Show". My mother would grab them from my head and tell me little boys cannot be Cher but I still did it when I was alone!

This book is wonderful because it reminds people that we were once gay and lesbian *children*. You will be thrown back to when you recall knowing and laugh as you read others accounts themseves.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars So much for the "nurture" theory, September 2, 2005
I left this book on the kitchen counter and at least a dozen people have picked it up, thumbed through it or just sat down right there and read it. I caught many of them laughing--even my mother.

This book is just plain entertaining--from the great artwork and photos, to the typography and layout--and mostly for the poignant and often funny anecdotes describing when each writer first discovered that he or she was "other than heterosexual".

A well-designed and -written book that goes beautifully on the coffee table and breaks plenty of ice.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars When They First Knew
Trachtenberg, Robert. "When I Knew", Harper Entertainment, 2005.

When They First Knew

Amos Lassen

Robert Trachtenberg collected over 80... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Amos Lassen

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like new
The book is not what I expected as it is more a quips and quotes book, but it is still interesting in some of the short explanations. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jackie S. Rasmussen

5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful book
I'm quite sure I saw this book's author on the Oprah Show. I immediately browsed Amazon to find it because I wanted to give it to my son as one of his Christmas presents in 2006... Read more
Published on July 9, 2007 by M. Reynolds

3.0 out of 5 stars Poor Quality
I loved the book however the it began falling apart soon after arrival.
Published on May 14, 2007 by Steven N. Zywicki

3.0 out of 5 stars A little something
Not entirely what I expected, but I thought that it was a good book. Great stories about people's knowing. Read more
Published on January 10, 2007 by P. dixon

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting coffee table book
This was a great book filled with small quotes and short reality checks from various personalities. I liked it, but I thought it would be more of a compilation of stories and... Read more
Published on January 9, 2007 by Middy

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than a Feeling
Many of us can remember our first kiss, our first day of school, even our first memories. But what about the instant you knew you were gay? Read more
Published on October 11, 2006 by H.L. Sudler

5.0 out of 5 stars WHEN I KNEW
I purchased this book (because) whilst visiting some friends noticed it on their coffee table. Not wanting to be rude and sit and read the whole book whilst there. Read more
Published on July 5, 2006 by Martina Turnbull

4.0 out of 5 stars a bit old
maybe its because i am a early twentie something kind of guy, but i thought that most of the articles and quotes in here were a bit old a lot of the things were over my head,... Read more
Published on February 20, 2006 by Jusitn M. Smith

4.0 out of 5 stars A little material stretched to fill a book
"When I Knew" is as much about graphic design as it is about the literary content, so the oversized dimensions make sense. Read more
Published on February 14, 2006 by The Mighty Hudson

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)



Look for Similar Items by Category


Free Songs, Cheap Albums
Special MP3 Deals
Visit our Special Deals Store to find ultra-low prices on great albums, daily deals, and over 500 free songs.

Shop now

 

Big Savings in Books

Bargain Books
Find great titles at fantastic prices in our Bargain Books Store.
 

Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free

4-for-3 Books
Order any four eligible books under $10 and get the lowest-price book free in our 4-for-3 Books Store. See more details.
 
Shop for Chain Saws
Get the Cutting Power of a Chain Saw Whether you're trimming limbs in the yard or removing entire trees, nothing cuts like a chain saw.
 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates