The Bear Book: Readings in the History and Evolution of a Gay Male Subculture

by Les Wright (Editor)

The Bear Book brings together an impressive range of bear--usually big, hairy men who favor full-face beards and prefer to wear jeans and flannel shirts--viewpoints to explore this unique social and cultural phenomenon that stretches from America to western Europe to Australia! On the personal level, you learn what beardom means to different people in their daily lives, and on a broader level, its cultural implications for not only the gay community, but also society as a whole. As this book moves across the wide spectrum of bear identities, you learn about the defining forces of identity, the significance of differences among masculinities, and the shapings of the bear movement from different viewpoints.The Bear Book is the first compilation of sociological and cultural analytical investigations of the contemporary gay bear phenomenon. To this end, Editor Les Wright brings together both objective and subjective viewpoints to create a forum where bears can speak for themselves. Through their voices, you’ll learn

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT

308 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 1997

Reviews

[Uncleslover Omjpinetovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

UnclesLover wrote:
http://www.facebook.com/uncleslover

Не впечатлила, потому что - много неточностей.
Я нашел другой, хорошо документированный источник, доказывающий первопроисхождение "медведей"

I was not impressed with it, because it has a lot of inaccuracies.
No actual documentary materials.
I found another source, that proves the origin of the "Bears" is well documented.

[Sergio Ponce · Rating 3 out of 5]

These fascinating academic essays gives a window into the beginnings of Bear culture. It can be a dry read but that is how it is with most academically geared books.

It is most relevant as a historical reference as the culture has evolved into something different.

If you are curious about the beginnings of bear culture in western culture (not just the US), this is a good place to start.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book as well as the follow-up present the development of a sub culture. it is an accumulation of first hand accounts and academic observations.