Editorial Review:

Annamarie Jagose knows that queer theory did not spring full- blown from the head of any contemporary theorist. It is the outcome of many different influences and sources, including the homophile movement, gay liberation, and lesbian feminism. In pointing to the history of queer theory--a history that all too often is ignored or elided--Jagose performs a valuable service.--Henry Abelove, co-editor of The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader

The political and academic appropriation of the term queer over the last several years has marked a shift in the study of sexuality from a focus on supposedly essential categories as gay and lesbian to more fluid or queer notions of sexual identity. Yet queer is a category still in the process of formation. In Queer Theory, Annamarie Jagose provides a clear and concise explanation of queer theory, tracing it as part of an intriguing history of same-sex love over the last century.

Blending insights from prominent theorists such as Judith Butler and David Halperin, Jagose argues that queer theory's challenge is to create new ways of thinking, not only about fixed sexual identities such as heterosexual and homosexual, but also about other supposedly essential notions such as sexuality and gender and even man and woman.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Decent Intro to a less-decent theory:

I found this book to be a quick and interesting read. Jagose laid out the social history of homosexuality very clearly, providing a good background to understand the context of queer theory. The explanation of queer theory was pretty clear, considering the difficulty involved in defining a term that resists being defined.

The author also included a chapter featuring criticisms of queer theory, though I felt the author was somewhat dismissive of much of the critiques (many criticisms that I agreed with... more info

Pretty Good Introduction:

This is a well-written, concise introduction to the ever-growing, booming field of queer theory. As more and more people are coming out of the closet due to an increasing acceptance of homosexuality, queer theory and gay and lesbian studies will absolutely thrive. There are so many gay people in America alone, and it seems like more and more people are coming out every day. Heterosexuality is boring and Establishment. Without gays and lesbians this country would be extremely dull and intellectually starved.... more info

There is Something Queer Going on Here!:

Author Annamarie Jagose does a good job of highlighting the top scholars in the queer studies field and putting them together in one, concise volume. As a media communications scholar with an emphasis in queer studies I found this book immensly helpful. Jagose does a good job of chronicling history as well, so that the reader gets an insight of what was going on historically in the gay rights movement. I applauded the chapter also on lesbian feminism since that is often left out of many queer studies books.... more info

Dry but interesting:

This is an interesting reader, though quite dry and offering very little in the arena of diverse opinions. Very "orthodox" far left queer politics. It would be nicer to hear from some of the more moderate voices in the world of queer theory. And it would be better if it was more readable by non-academics.

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