THE CRIMSON LETTER: Harvard, Homosexuality, and the Shaping of American Culture

New York: St. Martin's Press, 2003. First Edition. Hardcover. Black boards. Fine, in near fine dust wrapper. 403 pages. 24 x 16.5 cm. Presentation copy - inscribed to Joe McGrath, a friend and longtime secretary to Prescott Townsend, a well known Boston Brahmin, also featured in this book. The author explores the nature and expression of sexual identity at America's oldest university during the years of its greatest influence. The Crimson Letter follows the gay experience at Harvard in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing upon students, faculty, alumni, and hangers-on who struggled to find their place within the confines of Harvard Yard and in the society outside. Laid in: 16 pages of photo copies with the author's annotations, a photo copy of the first page designs inscribed to Joe McGrath, copy of the cover art, and a photo copied review of the book from the Boston Globe. Presentation on the front free end paper: "For Joe McGrath, My old friend from Tindal Place! With the best wishes of the author and many thanks for your help in remembering - Douglas Shand-Tucci, 03 - 05 - 03."
Interior and boards pristine. Dust wrapper very lightly rubbed at corners. Covered in protective mylar.