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When We Rise: My Life in the Movement

Name: When We Rise: My Life in the Movement
Price: 23.45 USD
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Rating: 4.7 (644 reviews)

4.7 of 5 Stars: Biographies & Memoirs - When We Rise: My Life in the Movement

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Book Synopsis: The partial inspiration for the acclaimed mini-series from Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance BlackBorn in 1954, Cleve Jones was among the last generation of gay Americans who grew up wondering if there were others out there like himself. There were. Like thousands of other young people, Jones, nearly penniless, was drawn in the early 1970s to San Francisco, a city electrified by progressive politics and sexual freedom. Jones found community - in the hotel rooms and ramshackle apartments shared by other young adventurers, in the city's bathhouses and gay bars like The Stud, and in the burgeoning gay district, the Castro, where a New York transplant named Harvey Milk set up a camera shop, began shouting through his bullhorn, and soon became the nation's most outspoken gay elected official. With Milk's encouragement, Jones dove into politics and found his calling in 'the movement.' When Milk was killed by an assassin's bullet in 1978, Jones took up his mentor's progressive mantle - only to see the arrival of AIDS transform his life once again. By turns tender and uproarious - and written entirely in his own words - When We Rise is Jones' account of his remarkable life. He chronicles the heartbreak of losing countless friends to AIDS, which very nearly killed him, too; his co-founding of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation during the terrifying early years of the epidemic; his conception of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the largest community art project in history; the bewitching story of 1970s San Francisco and the magnetic spell it cast for thousands of young gay people and other misfits; and the harrowing, sexy, and sometimes hilarious stories of Cleve's passionate relationships with friends and lovers during an era defined by both unprecedented freedom and possibility, and prejudice and violence alike. When We Rise is not only the story of a hero to the LQBTQ community, but the vibrantly voice memoir of a full and transformative American life - an activist whose work continues today.

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Discover the incredible journey of Cleve Jones in his captivating memoir, When We Rise: My Life in the Movement. As one of the last generation of gay Americans who questioned their own existence, Jones found solace and community in the vibrant city of San Francisco. Immerse yourself in the tumultuous 1970s, when progressive politics and sexual freedom electrified the city, and witness the birth of a movement that would forever change the lives of LGBTQ individuals.

From the hotel rooms and ramshackle apartments that served as havens for young adventurers like Jones to the iconic gay bars and bathhouses that pulsated with life, When We Rise paints a vivid picture of a time defined by unprecedented freedom and possibility. Follow Jones' path as he encounters Harvey Milk, the nation's most outspoken gay elected official, who became his mentor and inspired him to dive headfirst into politics. Find inspiration in Jones' journey as he carries Milk's legacy forward, fighting for equality and justice for all.

Yet, When We Rise is not simply a political memoir but also a deeply personal account of Cleve Jones' own experiences. Brace yourself for the raw emotions as Jones narrates the heartbreak of losing countless friends to the devastating AIDS epidemic and his own near-death experience. With gripping honesty, he shares the founding of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation during the darkest years of the epidemic and the creation of the poignant AIDS Memorial Quilt, a testament to the resilience and humanity of those affected.

When We Rise transcends its role as a memoir by becoming the magnetic story of San Francisco itself. Step into the bewitching world of the city in the 1970s, where thousands of young gay people and other misfits found acceptance and belonging. Dive into the captivating tales of Cleve's passionate relationships, filled with both heartache and humor, during a time characterized by prejudice and violence. Experience the full spectrum of emotions in this transformative American life, shared in Cleve Jones' vibrant voice.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary and powerful memoir that highlights the immense courage of an LGBTQ hero. Join Cleve Jones on his journey of activism and self-discovery in When We Rise. Get your copy today and be inspired to make a difference in the world. Purchase now!

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