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Paperback
Publisher: Alyson Books
Bears, for the uninitiated, are gay men who defiantly challenge society's ideal of physical appearance, who celebrate the fact that they are often large, hairy, and don't give a hoot about what fashions are parading down the runway. Ron Suresha's thought-provoking, humorous long-form interviews with men, including editor David Bergman, cartoonist Tim Barela, and comedian and writer Bruce Vilanch examine questions of gay male stereotyping, commodification of the human body, the oppressiveness of the "physical ideal," and how body image affects personal growth. In 25 candid discussions, Bears on Bears brings together 57 contributors from around the world, from a rich variety of perspectives and backgrounds. With lighthearted playfulness as well as serious analysis, these Bears (as well as some nonbearish Bear-lovers) describe themselves, their lives and loves, their sense of masculinity, and their flourishing community-cum-culture. Widely excerpted in the gay media, Bears on Bears is the first interview book ever (gay-themed or otherwise) compiled primarily from online interactions. This groundbreaking collection of voices gathered from in and around the edge of this unique culture is both entertaining and enlightening. Contributors include:
Tim Barela (Temecula, CA) * David Bergman (Baltimore) * Michael Bronski (Cambridge, MA) * Van Buckley (SF) * Craig Byrnes (Springfield, VA) * Drew Campbell (SF) * Eduardo Chavez (Mexico City, Mexico) * Al Cotton (Atlanta, GA) * D. Alex Dammon (Peoria, IL) * Lou Dattilo (Austin, TX) * Steve Dyer (Boston) * Steve Evans (NYC/ Newark, NJ) * Jack Fritscher (SF) * Dave Gerard (Boston) * Jeff Glover (SF) * Rich Hatch (Middletown, RI) * Mike Hernandez (Anza, CA) * Wayne Hoffman (NYC) * Seumas Hyslop (Sydney, NSW, Australia) * Terry Jamro (Boston) * Arnie Kantrowitz (NYC) * Brian Kearns (Toronto) * Richard Labont=E9 (SF/ Calabogie, Ontario) * Gene Landry (Brooklyn/ Minneapolis, MN) * Manny Lim (Boston) * Ali Lopez (Santa Rosa/ DC) * Tim Martin (Louisville, KY) * Dr. Lawrence Mass (NYC) * Heath McKay (Boston) * Rev. Jim Mitulski (SF) * Tim Morrison (Kansas City, MO/ SF) * Xavier Navarro (Barcelona, Spain) * Michael Patterson (Sacramento, CA) * Marcelo Perales (Buenos Aires, Argentina) * Frank Perricone (Mobile, AL) * Glen Purdon (Port Elizabeth, South Africa) * Jack Radcliffe (SF) * Mike Ramsey (Tucson/ Pittsburgh) * Kirk Read (SF) * Matt Rice (SF) * Eric Rofes (SF) * Mali Sahin (Ankara, Turkey) * Alex Schell (NYC) * Woody Shimko (Tokyo, Japan/ Provincetown, MA) * Adam Steg (New Orleans, LA) * Justin Spooner (Port Talbot, Wales, UK) * Mark Thompson (LA) * Sen. Rick Trombly (Concord, NH) * Pete Vafiades (SF) * George Varas (NYC) * Bruce Vilanch (LA) * Reed Wilgoren (Everett, MA) * Danny Williams (SF) * Chris Wittke (Boston) * Rex Wockner (San Diego) * Les K. Wright (Fitchburg, MA)
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| Learning to Grrrrrrrrrrr |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Suresha, Ron Jackson. "Bears on Bears", Alyson Books, 2002.
Learning to Grrrrrrrrr
Amos Lassen
"Bears on Bears" lets us hear from members of the bear community on how they live. For those of you who are not familiar with the bear subculture, it is that group of men who are hairy and usually larger than average--but not always. Ron Suresha has done a wonderful job by bringing bears together to talk about bears.
Many of us have no ideas about the bear subculture which is in reality a subculture of a subculture. We get the history of how it began and what it is comprised of. Suresha with wit shows us how to look at bears. They are certainly not the beautiful and perfectly groomed men we see in the pages of glossy magazines. Rather they are everyday guys and they are like everyone else except in their sexual tastes. Through candid interviews we learn what it is like to be a bear.
Bears include a wide spectrum of men and we learn that these men share a sense of history and that they are very diverse and that idea of uniqueness is dispelled quickly. We learn that bear culture is in a constant state of evolution and that it has also been a way for some gay men to learn more about themselves. The interviews with bears are handled with intelligence and in a way that is easy to understand. The book is a great look at bears and Suresha lets the bears do the talking. For those of us who really know nothing about bears, here is a good place to start. All kinds of bears have something to say from those who started the whole thing to those who hang on to its fringes. Not everyone fits into the pretty boy or muscle clad ideal and bears assure us that there is a place for everyone. Well done, Ron Suresha.
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| A Insightful look at a part of the Gay Sub Culture |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Bears on Bears looks at the bear sub culture by using interviews with those who started the movemnt, live it and hover around the fringes. Ron Jackson Suresha lets this subject matter speak with its own words. For those familure with the Bear clasification, you will delight in the retelling of the history form those who were there at the beginning. For those of you whoare new to the subject matter you will learn of a whole culture sitting under your nose.
This work is refreshing considering the gay culture is obssessed with thin blond eastern europen look.
This work allows men to be men and revel in it. Even if they do not fit the Gay Media mold.
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| Bears and Bears |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Bears on Bears is an insightfull, well executed seires of interviews about the gay bear subculture.
Mr. Suresha's interviewing style is both intellegent and facilitory.
It a scholarly, fluid and enjoyable read without being too academic or popularist.
I recommend this book for people from all walks of life who are intersested in who people are and what makes them tick.
Bravo Mr. Suresha.
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| GRRRRRReat & Insightful Reading |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Though I have only been exposed to the gay sub-culture, know as BEARS, for almost 4 years, it was fascinating to read the history of how this wide spread community began. Ron Suresha seems to have opened a whole new realm in the way I look at this group of masculine, "regular Joe"group of men.
The interviews in this book really get to the heart of what makes up the psychy of a BEAR man. And suprisingly, we are not much different than any other man..gay or straight!
These are very candid interviews and even give some insight into the author's 1st encounters with the BEAR sub-culture, back in its infancy!
GRRRRRRRReat job Ron & I am anticipatorily waiting for your next book!
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| very well done |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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the best of the 'bear' books so far. some of the interviews are quite thought-provoking. though there are plenty of critical things said throughout the book, it's the affirming comments that i remember. bear culture has been in the past a path for some gay men to grow and learn more about themselves and others. the book suggests that this phenomenon has not completely passed....
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