Lambda Literary Award Finalist
One of NPR''s Favorite Books of 2019 | An NBC OUT 10 LGBTQ memoirs to read for National Memoir Writing Month | Buzzfeed's 11 Memiors to Read This Fall| Named one of The 20 Best LGBTQ Books of 2019 by Harper's Bazaar | The Advocate's Best LGBTQ Memoirs of 2019 | A Rewire 13 Books by LGBTQ Writers to Read This Fall
"[Lyon] captures both an epoch in mid-20th century LGBT history and a singular voice: brash, funny and brave." —NPR
“Perfectly encapsulates the essence of an amazing person and life.”—The Advocate, Best LGBTQ Memoirs of 2019
“A captivating and inspiring story of a queer woman who believed in her right to take up space and be seen.”—BuzzFeed
"Windsor’s story fighting for what she believed in is one that will leave readers inspired." —NBC OUT
"This trailblazer’s memoir isn’t captivating solely for Windsor’s reflections on the historic ruling nor her influential work developing software at IBM, it’s Windsor’s, along with friends’ and former flames’, recollections of lesbian nightlife and community in pre-Stonewall Riots New York City—a moment in LGBTQ history both sometimes glossed over in a rush to the queer rights movement’s later, more formative years post-Stonewall and rarely published from a first-person perspective as fiery as Windsor’s—that kept this reader flipping page after page well into the night." —Austin Chronicle
“There’s so much more to Windsor’s story than her Supreme Court case that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. And if you learn anything from her memoir, I hope it’s her personal motto: Never postpone joy.”—Book Riot
“Windsor’s inspiring zeal for life and brave, fierce love are thoroughly gripping all on their own. Brilliant and unapologetic, Windsor navigates the mid-century immigrant community in Philadelphia, the lesbian scene of 1960s Manhattan, and the United States Supreme Court with flair, insight and, of course, incredible panache.”–Philadelphia Magazine
"[A] must-read for any young queers who want to know where our community came from." —Harper's Bazaar
"Lyon does an excellent job of making sure Windsor’s stirring and joyful voice shines through." —Rewire
“The great pleasure of this book is in spending time with Windsor’s voice.”—Tampa Bay Times
“Windsor woos readers with breezy wit, racy love stories, and seemingly casual-not-casual, semi-nonchalant depictions of being a lesbian in the mid-20th century, telling us what it was like living in the shadows but flirting hard with the light.”—The Washington Blade
“In a forthright and vivid memoir...Windsor reveals her early realization of her attraction to women and her long struggle to navigate homophobia among family members and at work, to live openly as a lesbian, and to marry the woman she loved.... A candid portrait of an indefatigable woman.” —Kirkus Review
“Insightful...a whirlwind tale spanning eight decades studded with glamour, bravado, and desire.... Windsor’s memoir is passionately told and serves as a substantive look at her contribution to same-sex marriage.” —Publishers Weekly
“With many sparkling memories paired with materials from personal archival collections, this account enthralls with every turn of the page.... Whether readers are seeking material on U.S. LGBTQ history, particularly regarding the pre–Stonewall era, or an enrapturing memoir, this work will satisfy. Don’t miss out on this essential read. ”—Library Journal (starred review)
“A big-picture look at Windsor’s entire life, including her immigrant experience and childhood in Philadelphia; her enviable 1950s Greenwich Village social life; her relationship with Thea Speyer that began rocky and ended 44-years later when Thea succumbed to MS; her late-life yet intense activism; and her second marriage to Judith Kasen-Windsor. Most enjoyable in this telling is Windsor’s willingness to reflect and adjust.”—Booklist
2019-07-15
Growing up queer in midcentury America.
In 2010, Windsor (1929-2017) sued the United States for recognition of her marriage to a woman, claiming her legal right of inheritance from her late wife's estate. Her victory in the suit, which catapulted her to fame, marked the transformation of a deeply closeted woman into an outspoken gay rights activist. In a forthright and vivid memoir, written with the assistance of journalist Lyon (Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict, 2009), Windsor reveals her early realization of her attraction to women and her long struggle to navigate homophobia among family members and at work, to live openly as a lesbian, and to marry the woman she loved. After Windsor died, Lyon took over the unfinished project, resulting in "a memoir/biography hybrid" that complements, and often deepens, Windsor's narrative with information and insights that Lyon uncovered from his continued research. Lyon discovered, for example, that Windsor had a fierce temper, that her skill as a card counter enabled her to win big in casinos, and that she tended to "brush past" painful memories, such as the rift within her family caused by her sexuality. Although Windsor knew she was gay, she married a man who had been a close family friend, thinking she could bury her feelings for women. Soon, however, she rebelled against the charade: "The core of my identity, my natural biological instinct, wasn't going to change." Divorced, she moved to Greenwich Village, where she dove energetically into gay social life and sex. "She went through so many women," a friend told Lyon. At the same time, she embarked on a successful career as a mathematician, writing programs for the UNIVAC computer and eventually developing software at IBM. In the workplace, she deflected matchmakers by pretending to have a boyfriend. In 2007, when she married Dutch-born psychologist Thea Spyer after a relationship of more than 40 years, co-workers asked her why she had lied to them. Windsor's world had changed dramatically.
A candid portrait of an indefatigable woman.
Joshua Lyon, coauthor of this audiobook, describes it as a memoir/biography hybrid. Lyon delivers the introduction with rich appreciation for his coauthor and subject, the late Edie Windsor, who was a major figure in the gay rights movement. Donna Postel takes over the main narration, shepherding listeners through Windsor's early years in a middle-class Jewish neighborhood in Philadelphia; her lengthy relationship with her wife, Thea; and her role as lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Postel's intimate tone reveals Windsor's feisty, smart, and determined nature. At the end of each chapter, Lyon returns to narrate additional recollections of Edie's family and friends as well as insightful reminiscences on mid-twentieth-century gay life. This engaging and thoughtful listen deserves a wide audience. M.J. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
