Benjamin Banneker:Surveyor, Astronomer, Publisher, Patriot, by Charles A. Cerami has expanded our knowledge of this renowned 18th century African American. To those familiar with the contributions of blacks to American society, Benjamin Banneker's accomplishments are well known. He was a free black man, son of an African, his grandmother, an indentured servant from England. He built a wooden clock using a pocket watch as a guide. Later on in life, he parlayed his scientific and mathematical skills into the creation of an almanac. He then went on to become an integral part of the team that surveyed the area that was to become the nation's capitol. He wrote letters to Thomas Jefferson critical of the latter's racist views, and even received a response. The author covers this ground well. We are aware of how stunning Banneker's achievements are, given that he was a black man living in a nation where the vast majority of black people toiled in slavery. Even a free black was a degraded, stigmatized creature in white eyes. The author, however, lifts Banneker out of this limiting context to elevate him into the company of truly original thinkers. Thus, Banneker becomes more than a brilliant black man who rose above his station to live the life of the mind, a pursuit which, if he were white, would not have garnered much attention. Banneker made an assertion that no one had made up that point (at least not with his degree of logic). He speculated on the existence of life on other worlds. The author presents an excerpt from Banneker's writings as proof that this humble black farmer was far ahead of his time. Indeed, such a revolutionary thought would not be adopted by scientists as a credible theory until well into the 20th century. Charles Cerami's work is of monumental importance because now we have a new insight into the depth of Benjamin Banneker's intellect. Hopefully, this book will be so widely read that Banneker's role as the man who memorized the plans to Washington, D.C. will not be his ultimate achievement in the popular imagination. Hopefully, scientists, historians and lay enthusiasts will recognize the significance of Banneker's thinking in regard to the possibility of life beyond our precious, little world.

I can't believe the genius of Benjamin Banneker, the man. I always knew his name through his famous letter to Thomas Jefferson. In the pages of this fascinating biography, I discovered his excellence in so many professions, especially astronomy. His speculations on light and stars were revolutionary and opened the door to modern astronomy. He is a true American hero.

Every therapist should have this book in their collection. Very insightful. The case studies make it easy to apply to other clts.

A group of excellent therapists come out of the closet all over again, this time with their personal experience of doing therapy with gays and lesbians. Lots of exploration of counter-transference and rich case descriptions make this an excellent addition to any therapist's library.

This book gives you a whole new perspective on gay life in general. Gay sex, lifestyles, community and identity are just part of the information you will find in this book... You also enjoy the tastfull drawings showing a variety of couples in lovings situation... Note that this book was written in the pre-AIDS era and you must take into account this when reading the safe sex recommendations..

Just the title of this book used to get me off, to say nothing of the subtitle. The first (certainly mainstream) how-to-book for homosexuals made history. I was a little disappointed that oral sex was portrayed as little more than foreplay (a qualm I have about the updated edition), but the book was still excellent all around, with beautiful, breathtaking illustrations. Of course, this edition was written before AIDS
reared its head, but if you're gay and can find a copy of this first edition, buy it anyway. It's importance to gay literature cannot be emphasized enough.

I know where *I* was when I first read this book. I devoured it! Finally, it was OK to have sex with another guy. I wish I would've kept my original copy and put it in a glass case or something. There's lots of safe sex issues that are not included in the original edition that you obviously need to be aware of. Buy this one for sentimental reasons, then get a current book for practical use. This one gets 5 Stars for what it did for gay men when it was published!

While it is admirable that the authors have updated this resource to reflect the changes in gay culture since the last edition, there are still many "holdovers" of out of date information and attitudes. Most pointedly the entry on "hustling" is offensive, condescending and stigmatizing. The authors have clearly not read any of the relevant social science research that has been published in the last 20 years on what the authors deride as the politically correct term "male sex work." It is also problematic that a book that claims to be a reference book cites no sources whatsoever nor includes a list of reference at the end. Without references this book is composed of nothing more than the opinion of the authors. However, for the uninformed this text is a very good first source, just don't take anything in it as "the last word."

due to the complete lack of any sex education for gay men when I was a student, owing to the fact that the system assumes all students are heterosexual and educates them as such, I had to learn about sex "on the road" so to speak - this book is a serious attempt to redress this - well done

This book is a start....but with the advent of the internet, you can find much better (written, produced, looking, defined) material else where....

The author completely misses the 'non-mainstream' parts of the leather community..(bears, etc...)

Maybe a 3rd edition is in the works?

you can find better....

i juste loved this book. it gave me and my partner so many new ideas and things to try and really opened our minds to a whole new arena of pleasure. thank you!

This book has helped me through many hard times. Being a gay male is made much easier by reading this book. It teaches you a lot about yourself. Now my sex life is great, and I couldn't be happier! Recommended!