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We Set the Night on Fire

Igniting the Gay Revolution
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( 75 ratings, 13 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
We Set the Night on Fire by Martha Shelley is an evocative memoir that delves into the life of a revolutionary activist during the 1960s and 1970s. The narrative captures the turbulence of the era, detailing the struggles and triumphs in the fight for civil rights and liberation. Shelley offers a personal reflection on both the societal changes and her own journey of self-discovery amidst the revolutionary fervour.
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Format: Hardback
$5799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are captivated by personal accounts of activism and the LGBTQ+ movement, as it offers an insightful look into the struggles and triumphs of an influential activist. Through vivid storytelling, the author shares moments of personal and historical significance, making it a compelling read for those interested in social change and personal growth narratives.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Martha Shelley didn't start out in life wanting to become a gay activist, or an activist of any kind.

The daughter of Jewish refugees and undocumented immigrants in New York City, she grew up during the Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s. Inspired by the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements that followed, Shelley struggled with coming out as a lesbian at a time when being gay made her a criminal.

Shelley rose to become a public speaker for the New York chapter of the lesbian rights group, the Daughters of Bilitis. She organised the first gay march in response to the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and then co-founded the Gay Liberation Front. She co-produced the newspaper Come Out!, worked on the women's takeover of the RAT Subterranean News, and took a central role in the Lavender Menace action to confront homophobia in the women's movement.

Martha Shelley's story is a feminist and lesbian document that gives context and adds necessary humanity to the historical record.

We Set the Night on Fire is a testament to her impactful journey and pivotal role in the gay liberation and women's rights movements.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

We Set the Night on Fire is celebrated for its engaging and insightful recounting of Martha Shelley's role as a pioneering activist in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. The memoir is noted for its wit, directness, and the personal and political journey it traces from Shelley's early activism to her involvement in founding the Gay Liberation Front. Reviewers highlight its historical significance and the inspiration it provides through Shelley's courageous stand against oppression, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in LGBTQ history and activism.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781641609418

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 June 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Chicago Review Press

Illustration: Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 494g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Martha Shelley is a longtime political activist from Brooklyn. After the Stonewall Riot, she organized a protest march that morphed into today's pride parades, and she was one of the founders of the Gay Liberation Front. Her essays, poetry, and short stories have appeared in many anthologies. She has published three novels and four books of poetry. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

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