Book Review

I CHANGED MY SEX by Hedy Jo Star

(formerly Carl Rollins Hammonds), 160 pp. Novel Books, Inc., Chicago, 1963; 75¢.

This paperback presents, in very readable style, the story of the first transexal operation to be carried out in the U.S.A. In June, 1962, at Memphis, Tenn. the barriers finally fell, and we have at last reached the degree of civilization found in Europe and North Africa.

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Miss Star began life, about 31 years ago, as a baby so feminine that her grandmother promptly re- marked she should have been a girl. Despite male organs, she developed into such a girlish boy as to have endless problems in school, etc. These she at- tempted to solve by running off with a carnival; after a short job as the " half man-half woman her natural dancing ability led her into strip-tease. A very suc- cessful period promoted this into show ownership, and enough money to start working towards the operation. The first steps with hormones and a plastic insert breast operation were easy; then came years of heart-break- ing disappointments as one doctor after another first agreed and then refused to operate. One fiance gave up, but the second man in her life waited patiently. They were married last year, and as of publication the marriage was a success.

All this is told (and profusely illustrated) in stra- ight-forward but charming style. While not perhaps up to literary excellence of Roberta Cowell, this is a very worthy additon to the TS literature, and will be enjoyed even by those TV's (including your reviewer) who wou- ldn't want the operation, even as a gift.

Sheila, 30-B-2 FPE

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