The Journalist of Castro Street
The Life of Randy Shilts
by Andrew E Stoner
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date May 30 2019 | Archive Date Jul 18 2019
Talking about this book? Use #TheJournalistOfCastroStreet #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
In-depth and dramatic, Andrew E. Stoner's biography follows the remarkable life of the brash, pioneering journalist. Shilts's reporting on AIDS in San Francisco broke barriers even as other gay writers and activists ridiculed his overtures to the mainstream and labeled him a traitor to the movement, charges the combative Shilts forcefully answered. Behind the scenes, Shilts overcame career-threatening struggles with alcohol and substance abuse to achieve the notoriety he had always sought, while the HIV infection he had purposely kept hidden began to take his life.
Filled with new insights and fascinating detail, The Journalist of Castro Street reveals the historic work and passionate humanity of the legendary investigative reporter and author.
Advance Praise
"Andrew Stoner has masterfully woven a powerful story: well-written, historically grounded, thoughtful, engaging, and important. The Journalist of Castro Street is engrossing yet haunting. It is indispensable for anyone who would understand the early years of the AIDS crisis, the intersection of the epidemic and the news media, and the challenges facing Shilts as the openly gay journalist blazed a trail into the media mainstream. It is not merely a biography of Shilts, it is more."--Edward M. Alwood, former CNN correspondent and author of Dark Days in the Newsroom: McCarthyism Aimed at the Press
"A sympathetic, first-rate narrative of one of the most notable journalists of our time. Stoner captures the passions and imperfections of both the fearless writer and the gay-rights crusader."--Patrick Lee Plaisance, author of Virtue in Media: The Moral Psychology of Excellence in News and Public Relations
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780252084263 |
| PRICE | $22.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Bin Blogs B, Reviewer
I thought this was an amazing story of a journalist navagating new territory and blazing trails for those who follow. I was fascinated by how much I didn't know on the subject. Powerful.
Robert G, Reviewer
In depth look at the writings of Randy Shilts and his life through an examination of these writings, reviews, thoughtful interviews with friends and family as well as publishers/editors, and critics. His determination to be a journalist before an activist is documented. Stoner places Shilts in his time and outlines his success and notes his foibles. The stories behind his writings and his writing style is fascinating. Well footnoted.
Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for this electonic version.
Ken C, Reviewer
The Journalist of Castro Street gives a good description of the life of openly gay reporter Randy Shilts.. Author Andrew E. Stoner does well in describing the successes Shilts achieved, and I thought he was fair in discussing Shilts' failures and shortcomings. Randy went all out, and he indisputably rubbed some people the wrong way. He upset apple carts and caused people to review things they thought were already settled.. One could wish that Randy Shilts was perfect, but he sure was good at what he did. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
Jillian L, Reviewer
Randy Shilts never disappoints. This book was so good. It gives some insight into the unpredictable times in San Francisco during the time Harvey Milk was alive and living there. Anyone who yearns to know the struggle of gay men and lesbians during the early days of gay rights must read this book. I would definitely recommend it to friends.
Teri P, Librarian
An interesting look at Randy Shilts’ life and his writing. This book explored what it was like to be a gay journalist in the 80’s at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review of this book
Prathap N, Media/Journalist
Extensively researched and expertly narrated, The Journalist of Castro Street is an all-encompassing account of the life and career of America's first openly gay journalist Randy Shilts. Drawing from fresh interviews and already available material, Andrew E. Stoner brings Shilts's personality to life and dissects his journalistic career and activism. Among other things, Stoner discusses the scandals of Shilts life including the Patient Zero myth from his book And the Band Played On that Shilts knew was wrong to propagate but went along with it anyway to bring attention to his book. Although widely respected in the mainstream media as an openly gay journalist at a time when his mere existence - homosexuality - was criminal, Shilts seems to have been somewhat disregarded in the gay community for sensationalizing some topics such as bathhouse closures. Stoner brilliantly captures the complexities of Shilts character in the book, concluding with a remarkably candid quote from one of his confidants: "...his audience was really straight people, because he wanted them to understand what it was like to be gay in America."
Readers who liked this book also liked:
