pect of the long, historical evolution of human civilization, than as a mere cantankerousness on the part of certain individuals.

We long ago began to think of ourselves as a "spirit" in and, too often, "opposed to" a body with physical needs. So many of our cultural institutions have been built around this dichotomy, and have endured for so long, that when release from this conflict is attained, it is done on an individual basis, by coming to understand one's own multi-facetedness, and integrating all the seg ments under one-in dividual--roof.

On a social level, it will take much time and a lot of doing, to come round to a more realistic, integrated, approach to psycho-physically united man, as the authors of the subject book admit.

As a homosexual, I stand as testimony to the authors' contentions about the effects of sex-suppression. I am both a product and a victim. As such, I understand the sexual needs of the frustrated. For the sake of survival--and of civilized social cohesion-I can summon little enthusiasm for ranting futilely against a rigid and unlistening official morality; I stand ready, instead, to sympathize in my own, "substitute" way. If, in certain instances, I can't, I think I know someone who can.

Anyway, whether the reader is or is not oriented toward the viewpoint of this book, anyone with an iota of social awareness, will enjoy the usual sparkling, lucid style of these authors, and, as a bonus, will have his eyes opened wider. If the book falls on deaf ears among the authorities, it can nevertheless help to support the individual who finds himself human in opposition to crowds who insist he should not be. In taking such a stand, the authors are in a minority position among even scientific spokesmen. They are to be commended. ---roland howard

LITERARY scene

An Informal column of reviews of fiction and non-fiction books on themes of sex variation

GENE DAMON

The special books are too well known; the others too little known. This month I've deliberately chosen male titles which I personally like. For a variety of reasons they have had far less attention than they deserve. Many of them have been entirely ignored. All are recommended to the serious reader and collector and no really minor titles have been included unless they are specifically marked minor.

Mary Renault's first treatment of homosexuality, PROMISE OF LOVE, Morrow, 1939, Popular Library, 1963, is rightly considered a major Lesbian title but the male homosexual is one of the kind all men long to be and all men long to love. It presents a philosophy and an approach and attitude she later expanded in her masterpiece, THE CHARIOTEER.

The paperback original novel always runs the chance of being ignored, Robert C. Ackworth's, THE MOMENTS BETWEEN, Hillman Books, 1959, can still be obtained at

The Committee.

I

UNUSUAL PHONOGRAPH RECORDS FROM DORIAN

THE QUEEN IS IN THE CLOSET (33LP-Mono) A dozen sprightly gay tunes, with clever vocal and excellent musical accompaniment...we have sold dozens of these to customers who love it!

4.00

I'D RATHER FIGHT THAN SWISH (45rpm) with the flip side I'D RATHER SHISH THAN FIGHT Leather, chains, motorcycles on the first, and colognes and beaded bags on the latter. Priceless holiday gift for many you know!

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mattachine

1.50

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Priceless scene on this new record is "GAY BAR" -8 minutes of conversation between a man who is drinking Scotch and another who is drinking Pansy Punch...leading to an inevitable date. Other episodes equally witty include Introduction to Sex on the Campus; Summer Vacation; Course in Failure 101, and so on...All hilarious. Mon'l, 4.98; Stereo 5.98

Dorian

BOOK SERVICE

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