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John Preston

    December 11, 1945 – April 28, 1994

    John Preston was a significant author and editor, known for his contributions to gay erotica, fiction, and nonfiction. His work deeply explored themes of gay life, often delving into the social and artistic dimensions of erotic literature. Preston was a pioneer in the gay rights movement, vocally advocating for the artistic and social merit of erotic writings and bringing them to a wider audience. His influence extended beyond literature, touching upon social issues like the fight against AIDS and the search for belonging within the gay community.

    John Preston
    Flesh and the Word
    Member of the Family
    Fall
    Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder
    Watford Forever
    Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple
    • This heartwarming tale chronicles the unlikely friendship and collaboration between Elton John and Graham Taylor amidst the backdrop of 1970s Britain, marked by unrest and economic challenges. Watford FC, once a struggling team in dire straits, was at the bottom of the Football League, facing dismal prospects with a rundown reputation and dwindling fan support. In stark contrast, Elton John was the world’s most successful rockstar, known for his flamboyant style and global fame. Contrary to expectations of relocating to America, he chose to buy Watford FC, igniting a remarkable transformation. The narrative unfolds as Watford, under John's ownership and Taylor's management, rises from the depths of the league to the pinnacle of the First Division. Notably, four players previously deemed past their prime played pivotal roles in this ascent. The story is filled with humor and inspiration, showcasing how John, a glamorous icon, and Taylor, a straightforward former player with a passion for classic music, overcame personal challenges and societal odds to rejuvenate a club and its community. Immersed in the vibrant yet gritty atmosphere of the era, this account stands as a testament to football's enduring spirit and the power of friendship.

      Watford Forever
      4.3
    • The authors offer those with Bipolar Disorder a four-step plan towards managing the illness and creating lasting stability.

      Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder
      4.3
    • Fall

      • 352 pages
      • 13 hours of reading

      In February 1991, Robert Maxwell made a triumphant entrance into Manhattan harbour on board his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine. He had come to complete his purchase of the ailing New York Daily News. Crowds lined the quayside to watch his arrival. Taxi drivers stopped their cabs to shake his hand, children asked for his autograph and when Maxwell went to dine in the most fashionable Chinese restaurant in Manhattan, all the diners gave him a standing ovation. 10 months later, he disappeared off the same yacht and several hours later was found dead in the water. Within a few days, Maxwell was being reviled as the embodiment of greed and unscrupulousness. No one had ever fallen so far and so quickly. What went so wrong? How did a man who had once laid such store on the importance of ethics and good behaviour become reduced to a bloated, amoral wreck?

      Fall
      4.2
    • Member of the Family

      Gay Men Write About Their Families

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      In this collection, some of the most talented gay writers reveal their complex relationships with their families, showcasing unique yet universally relatable experiences. Each essay, written specifically for this anthology, explores themes of acceptance, rejection, and love without relying on stereotypes. John Preston opens with a reflection on the impact of an angry letter he left for his parents, which affected his younger brother in unexpected ways. Other contributors share their own stories of letters, conflicts, and reconciliations. Michael Nava delves into the life of his stoic grandfather, while Eric Latzky poignantly portrays his grandfather, Louis. Larry Duplechan mixes humor and poignancy in his depiction of his mother, who had a tough reaction to his coming out but still embraced him as her child. Harlan Greene's experiences growing up with Holocaust survivor parents left him with deep scars, and Brian Kirkpatrick offers a powerful introspection on being abandoned in a Catholic orphanage. Through their candid narratives, the twenty-four authors craft modern American literature from their autobiographical experiences, revealing profound truths about their lives and, in turn, about our own. This collection is a deeply emotional and beautifully conceived exploration of family dynamics.

      Member of the Family
      3.9
    • The Dig

      • 240 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      A brilliantly realised account of the most famous archeological dig in British history, now a major motion picture starring Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan and Lily James. 'Exquisitely original' Ian MacEwan 'An enthralling story of love and loss' Robert Harris In the long hot summer of 1939 Britain is preparing for war. But on a riverside farm in Suffolk there is excitement of another kind: Mrs Pretty, the widowed farmer, has had her hunch proved correct that the strange mounds on her land hold buried treasure. As the dig proceeds against a background of mounting national anxiety, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary find... John Preston's recreation of the Sutton Hoo dig - the greatest Anglo-Saxon discovery ever in Britain - brilliantly and comically dramatizes three months of intense activity when locals fought outsiders, professionals thwarted amateurs, and love and rivalry flourished in equal measure. 'A tale of rivalry, loss and thwarted love so absorbing that I read right through lunchtime one day, and it's not often I miss a meal' Nigella Lawson 'A delicate evocation of a vanished era' Sunday Times

      The Dig
      3.6
    • Artificial Intelligence in the Capitalist University

      Academic Labour, Commodification, and Value

      • 174 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Through a Marxist lens, the book examines the role of Artificial Intelligence in higher education, revealing its impact on the structure and operation of capitalist universities. It critically analyzes how AI technologies reinforce existing power dynamics and contribute to the commercialization of education, highlighting the implications for both students and educators in a capitalist framework.

      Artificial Intelligence in the Capitalist University