Less a portrait of the Stonewall riots and more a history of the blooming gay rights movement of the sixties, Stonewall is solid in its presentation of the cultural atmosphere and the stories of six individuals deeply involved in activist activity. The events of Stonewall itself are given their own section in the book, although the conflicts and passions that set the stage are delved into and analyzed much more thoroughly, which is actually the most intriguing part of the read. The surrounding history is what draws in the reader, although it does drag occasionally and it's a push to keep going. The effort is worth it although the ending seems rushed and everything is wrapped up a little too neatly, considering the ongoing struggle and devastating incidents that still plague the gay/lesbian community today, especially among the younger generations.Note: the way Duberman switches perspectives between the six is difficult to follow in the beginning and I found it almost impossible to remember the youthful histories of each, but that didn't detract from the rest of the book. As he gets more into the flow of his narrative, the hop between points of view gets much easier to follow (and remember).
Stonewall is written with a tight focus and what feels like a genuine passion for the subject matter, so read it for the history, read it for the perspective, and read it to gain a broader understanding, no matter your orientation.
