Stranger Among Friends

By David Mixner

Book Overview

"From my fear of coming out to coming on strong in the struggle for human rights, this is my American journey, the story of an outsider on the inside, a gay man proudly committed to a life of standing up for freedom.

"President Clinton and I were born three days apart. We had both dreamed of serving our country. There was one difference: He could pursue his dream, while I felt I could not. The President was born straight and I was born gay."

In this stirring personal history, one of America's most influential gay rights advocates recounts his extraordinary career as a policy maker and adviser to the major political leaders of our time, and his own often anguishing, ultimately triumphant life as a gay man. A longtime personal friend of Bill Clinton, in Stranger Among Friends David Mixner offers an insider's look at the power struggles that occur every day in our nation's capital and candid insights on the Clinton administration's successes and failures. Spanning three decades of human rights activism--from the behind-the-scenes negotiations to the painful betrayals to the hard-won victories--his forthright story unflinchingly explores what it means to be an outsider on the inside, and sends a message of hope to all who have ever stood up for what they believe.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553375547
• ISBN13: 9780553375541
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating

In this day of the modern Gay Rights Movement, no biography captures the true story of someone moderately simple, becoming the voice of a fantastic mission with true, heartfelt passion for the equality of gays and lesbians. Full of pathos, life lessons, screw-ups, ironies and inspiration that truly reflects the dichotomy of living as an evolving gay man during the sexual revolution, Reagan-Era AIDS, and the Clinton Era of Inclusion against the backdrop of a hidden sex life. I was glad to know this story!

I really enjoyed and would reccomend this book

I must say, this was one of the best books I've read in a while. It was just fascinating. It starts out describing David's childhood, goes onto his time in college, his antiwar activism, his many struggles with his homosexuality, finally with his coming out and becoming a gay activist, and then to his time spent working on the Clinton campaign all the way up to Clinton's innaguration. It's a very readable book, it draws you in from the first few pages and really keeps you wanting to know what will happen next in David's very exciting activist life. Another thing that kept me reading was I was dying to find out when he would finally come out. It is easy to relate to David's pain and I was inspired to see what he did with that pain and to read about the many remarkable things he has done with this life. I finished this book in a little over a week and wished there was more. I loved learning more about the political and activist worlds while at the same time learning about him. If you have any interest in politics, activism, AIDS, or gay and lesbian issues, or just like a good memoir, read this book. You'll like it :)

A timelessly inspirational, extraordinary life

I have always admired David's courage and dedication to his causes. I recently re-read this book and found it to be just as inspirational now as it was in 1996. It gives a deep sense of perspective to the political movements of the '60s and '70 that is just fascinating. It then paints a spellbinding portrait of the Gay Rights Movement. Most important, however, "Stranger" is a Profile in Courage of an extraordinary man who has helped all Americans who pursue "Liberty and Justice for ALL. I re-read "Stranger Among Friends" as I was completing my most recent book "Pathways to Inner Peace" and it gave me just what I was looking for -- a dose of courage to continue helping others. (Rev. Jim Webb, author of "Pathways to Inner Peace").

Worth Reading

A very interesting account of a political activist who staked his hopes on the Clinton presidency to write the executive order permitting gays in the military. He was instrumental in organizing the gay community in support of the Clinton campaign. Intertwined in the political activism is Mixner's account of his own homophobia and his difficult times in coming to terms with his sexual orientation. A long time friend of Clinton, Mixner belived he would keep his promise to overturn the ban on gays in the military. The rest is history, including their former rather close relationship.

Excellent

Whether interested in homophobia, politics, or gays in the military, Mixner's book is excellent. From his struggles with his own homophobia to his struggles with the White House, Mixner shows us the personal and the political and the sometime disastrous mix.