to put this book down until you've stantially every point which Benson read it cover to cover.

C. R. Prater

IN DEFENSE OF HOMOSEXUALITY by R. O. D. Benson. Julian Press, New York, 1965, 239 pps., $5.95.

What is the right attitude for reviewing a book such as this? How does one fairly present the situation? In Harpers there would be an approach of one sort; in Der Kreis another. But what of ONE Magazine?

For here is a volume whose publishers boldly predict "that at no future time will any work dealing with the subject of homosexuality be able to ignore the essential facts as presented." The author, unidentified except as to name, gives some indications of being mathematically oriented, if his bibliography is any indication.

In eight short chapters he reviews, and to his own satisfaction refutes, in succession "the Nature argument," "the Religious argument," "the Psychological argument," and so on, constantly assuming, it would appear, that he is breaking new ground with bold recklessness.

Many of his points were stated well in the latter years of the 19th century by Ulrichs. Innumerable successors such as Hirschfield, Havelock Ellis and, above all others, Guyon have completely covered the ground. In fact, the Guyon writings which were coming into English translations nearly forty years ago are hardly to be improved upon for the rigor and freshness of their logic.

Closer at hand, the early meetings of the Knights of the Clock and the Mattachine Foundation in Los Angeles and other California cities, already more than 500 in number by the end of 1953, thoroughly haggled over sub-

makes. In the dozen years since that time further Mattachine Society meetings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other cities continued such discussions. The Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York have done much the same.

More formally, ONE's Institute of Homophile Studies has held about 1000 public lectures and class meetings devoted to the most exacting analyses of "the Nature argument," "the Religious argument," "the Psychological argument." Publication of aspects of these discussions has occupied probably several thousand pages in the books, magazines and other publications issued by ONE.

Small wonder, then, that a knowledgeable reader would find In Defense of Homosexuality somewhat less than an earth-shaking novelty or innovation. Such a reader can at best say to himself, "Here we go again," while deriving some satisfaction that a new voice is found uttering the old truths once more. He can hope that such a new voice may arrest the attention of new listeners willing to pause a moment to give consideration to topics long de-

bated.

If this truly is a necessity for education that the same things shall be said over and over again in varying cheers for Benson. Be tones, then many that as it may, the book is here to be read. It will harm few and should enlighten many.

W. Dorr Legg, Director Institute of Homophile Studies SEX AND CRIME by Clinton T. Duffy with Al Hirschberg, Doubleday, 1965, 203 pp., $4.50. (see p. 20, following.)