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Growing Up Grant: A Gay Life in the Shadow of Ulysses S. Grant

Name: Growing Up Grant: A Gay Life in the Shadow of Ulysses S. Grant
Price: 17.50 USD
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Rating: 4.6 (39 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: Regional U.S. - Growing Up Grant: A Gay Life in the Shadow of Ulysses S. Grant

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Book Synopsis: I grew up Grant because Ulysses was too dangerous a name to call a kid in the 1950s, when conformity ruled, and Ulysses S. Grant's reputation was in the toilet. My given name Ulysses, however, ended up defining me as I was coming out in the early 1970s, altering my relationship with the world. On my father's side, an Alsatian immigrant to Colonial New York and, on my mother's, a Puritan dissenter seeking freedom on the Mayflower, added romance to my bland Leave it to Beaver life in Syracuse, New York in the 1960s.

My world was a snapshot of prosperous, suburban Post-War America for a baker's dozen of years, until two of my siblings died and I realized, at sixteen, that I was gay. The distillation of the lives of all those people who preceded me is the story of a baby boomer and a child of Stonewall; a Yalie who marched for gay pride in the 1970s, survived the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, adopted children in the 1990s, and finally married his Jewish partner of thirty-eight years in the twenty-first century. The people who made me who I am today are always on my mind.

They danced on the edge of the Gilded Age after the Civil War and helped define the American dream for three centuries. Among them were farmers, leather tanners, inventors, slaveowners, abolitionists, soldiers, industrialists, politicians, lawyers, a Nobel Prize winner, a president and even a princess. They're all there in me. My story is their story, yet entirely my own.

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Experience a captivating journey through time with Growing Up Grant: A Gay Life in the Shadow of Ulysses S. Grant. From the conformist 1950s to the vibrant 1970s, this book offers a unique perspective on the struggles and triumphs of one man's life. Discover how Ulysses, a name deemed too dangerous in an era of conformity, ended up defining the author's identity as he came out as gay.

Delve into the rich tapestry of the author's ancestry, featuring an Alsatian immigrant and a Puritan dissenter, whose stories add a touch of romance to an otherwise ordinary life in 1960s Syracuse, New York. Through this poignant narrative, you'll experience a snapshot of prosperous, suburban Post-War America, until tragedy strikes and the author realizes his true identity at sixteen.

Join the author as he marches for gay pride in the 1970s, navigates the devastating AIDS crisis in the 1980s, opens his heart to adoption in the 1990s, and ultimately celebrates a thirty-eight year partnership by marrying his Jewish partner in the twenty-first century. This is not just one man's story; it's a testament to the struggles, resilience, and accomplishments of an entire generation.

In Growing Up Grant, you'll meet a diverse cast of characters encompassing farmers, inventors, soldiers, politicians, and even a Nobel Prize winner. Their collective experiences encapsulate the heart of America's past, shaping the author's present and inspiring hope for the future. Through this captivating journey, you'll witness the author's personal growth and self-discovery, while gaining a deeper understanding of the complex tapestry that weaves together our shared heritage.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary memoir that transcends boundaries of time, identity, and social norms. Immerse yourself in an inspiring tale that reminds us of the voices that came before us, while celebrating the power of authenticity and self-acceptance. Discover your own story within the pages of Growing Up Grant: A Gay Life in the Shadow of Ulysses S. Grant today.

Click here to embark on this unforgettable journey and secure your copy now!

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