RANSVESTIA

the middle ages and into recent times. Seen in this long perspective the reader gets a better idea of why society feels as it does toward sex in general and its variations in particular. Transvestism and the people throughout history - both male and female who practiced it is discussed in relation to all the culture and historical periods.

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The book is not written to approve or disapprove anything, there is no attempt at explaining or justifying either acceptance or condem- nation of any form of behaviour. It is an impersonal and detailed evaluation of how man has dealt with sex and its modifications through its rise from prehistory up until today. It is a monumental piece of work.

(3) Transvestites and Transexuals by Deborah Feinbloom. Delacorte Press, New York, 1976.

This book more directly involves us than the other two and there- fore may be of greater interest. One important thing it does is to provide a book whose title starts right off with "Transvestites" Thus the Library of Congress filing system sets up "Transvestism" as a heading. It is to be hoped that most libraries will, in due course, obtain this book because then when som e worried closet case goes to the card file under "T" he will find something other than Transylvania which, you may remember, was Dracula's base of operations. Finding the book he will find out about the existence of Phi Pi Epsilon, about Transvestia Magazine, the Wives book, the How to book and about me as their author and publisher. I don't mention all this for ego reasons but because at last there is an orthodox, acceptable, regular book which will turn up widely in libraries and through it many locked door cases will find "us" - me first, perhaps, since I'm men- tioned by name, but through me, all of you. Many will be interested in Phi Pi Epsilon, will write, be informed of its reorganization into the Society for the Second Self (Tri Sigma for short), will join, and will become your friends. This is all to the good.

The book itself is an outgrowth of the author's getting acquainted with one of my friends and FPE member in Boston and through her getting to visit with and come to know many of the members of the Boston chapter of FPE. Since this friend of mine went through the three stages of simple transvestism, full-time living as a woman and finally through surgery into the condition of "femaleness," Ms. Fein- bloom was able to see and learn all aspects of the sex vs. gender con-

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