QUEER STREET: THE RISE AND FALL OF AN AMERICAN CULTURE 1947-1985

New York City, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. Fine/Fine Dust Jacket.. New York City, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Edition/First Printing. 577 pages. Book-length account on subject. One of the most beautifully written books of our time. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a regular first print run - of 25000 copies, a record for a book of its esoteric nature - as a hardcover original only that nevertheless sold out shortly after publication. Second Printings proliferate online. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents James McCourt's "Queer Street: The Rise And Fall of An American Culture 1947-1985". Long title notwithstanding, further subtitled "Excursions In The Mind of The Life", the inversion, as it were, of McCourt's lifelong preoccupation with the life of the mind (rather than say, mere history or sociology). From the author of the greatest novel about opera ("Mawrdew Czgowchwz", 1975) and THE Great Gay American Novel ("Time Remaining", 1992), now this: The best book on gay life thus far, inimitable and indispensable. Readers - straight, gay, or queer, who should all read the book - will be dazzled and moved by the erudition and wisdom of James McCourt's first foray into "non-fiction": Every important - and unimportant, but fascinating - event that happened in gay life in the 20th century (circa 1947-1985) is reminisced, and commented upon, for posterity. An absolute "must-have" title for James McCourt collectors. This copy is very prominently and beautifully signed, placed, dated, and inscribed in black ink-pen on the title page by the author: "February 2, 2004, For David, with affection from a Philadelphia corner of [Queer Street], James McCourt". It is signed directly on the page itself, not on a tipped-in page. The recipient, who is named, is unmistakably known to the author. This title is a contemporary classic. As far as we know, this is the only such signed, placed, dated, and inscribed copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright. Please note: James McCourt is a cult writer (with a uniquely brilliant body of work) who is also a writer's writer. It is a crying shame that mainstream recognition has eluded him because his work represents writing - and reading - as pure pleasure. Copies available online have serious flaws, are the Second Printing, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed copy thus. James McCourt's "Time Remaining: Stories" is regarded by Harold Bloom as one of the greatest books of the 20th century. One of the finest writers of our time. A fine collectible copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER JAMES MCCOURT TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0393050513.