Secret City

In Secret City, James Kirchick unveils the hidden history of homosexuality's profound impact on American politics, particularly during the Cold War. Through extensive research and interviews, he chronicles how the fear of being gay decimated lives and careers, intertwining sexuality with national anxieties about communism and power. From the tragic tale of diplomat Sumner Welles to the political machinations surrounding figures like Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, this work reveals the dramatic and often dark saga of how sexual orientation shaped the course of U.S. history, offering a fresh perspective on the nation's past.