A sweeping and compelling history of homosexuality in the nineteenth century, taking in both Europe and America. The three part work is divided up by theme. The first part deals with the treatment of homosexuals, both male and female, by the rest of society - from doctors to law-makers and mothers. Part two describes the lives and loves of gay men and women, and the beginnings of the early gay rights movement. And in the last part Robb writes on crucial aspects of gay culture, from high-brow to pornographic, from religious obssession to modern gay icons. This is not a sorry tale of prejudice and persecution. Rather, it is one of surprising tolerance, humour and entertainment; of a century that was almost a 'golden age' for gay culture. All is written with Robb's characteristic brilliance, balance and insight. It is a history for all readers of non-fiction, not for gay readers alone, emphasizing as it does the fruitful part that homosexuality has always played in our modern society.