List of IllustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction 1: From Urban Pietism to Sex Education 2: Intense Friendship 3: Singleness and the Consecrated Secretary 4: Marriage and the Sacrificial "Y Wife" 5: Women and the Young Men's Christian Association 6: Getting Physical 7: Cruising Epilogue App. 1: Analysis of Quantitative Sources on YMCA Secretarial Marital StatusApp. 2: Methodological Problems: Silences, the Spirit/Body Split, and the Denial of Cruising Notes Bibliography Index Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Now associated with family health clubs, the YMCA's bland image is the result of relentless outreach and the studied avoidance of controversy. But, as John Gustav-Wrathall shows in his revealing social history of the organization, the life of the YMCA has been filled with strife, tragedy, and irony, a life that itself reflects the struggle over the shifting societal mores regarding masculine friendship and intimacy. Take the Young Stranger by the Hand presents the YMCA as an institution of profound contradictions, reflective of society's views of same-sex love and sexuality. "Gustav-Wrathall's book offers an in-depth history of the origins and purposes of the Young Men's Christian Association and how it evolved into—and out of—a gay playland."—Arnie Kantrowitz, Lambda Book Report "The book's absorbing exploration of the sometimes schismatic, sometimes synergistic relationship between spirituality and sexuality is a fascinating addition to the growing body of social history."—Jim Van Buskirk, San Francisco Bay Guardian

When a journalist gains access to a wealthy family’s secrets, he encounters shocking revelations—and an irresistibly handsome lawyer—in this M/M romance. Twenty years ago, little Brian Arlington was kidnapped from his family’s Long Island estate and was never seen again. The trail went cold, but investigative journalist Griff Hadley has always thought there was more to the story—much more. So when the Arlingtons’ patriarch invites him to stay at their estate to research his true crime book, Griff can’t say no. But not everyone is happy about Griff’s presence. Relatives and staff alike regard him coldly, including Pierce Mather, the Arlingtons’ attractive lawyer, who is more than a little wary of Griff’s motives. When a stranger shows up claiming to be the long-lost Brian, Griff and Pierce are united in their suspicions. Startled to have found an ally in the buttoned-up lawyer, Griff soon realizes it’s hard to keep a professional distance. Even in the midst of a groundbreaking investigation, even in the face of a shocking family secret . . .

Thirteen new stories by the celebrated writer, including two which he considers his greatest achievements to date, artfully blend elements from many literary geares.

This story is about a young daring black boy growing to man hood in the 50th through 60. 'When time came for him to start school, he was so proud of himself. But that pertilay day to go to school, his mother told him Son, you will start school in the First Baptist Church in Woodbine. In those days back in the 50th and 60th in the state of Georgia, everything was segregated for blacks, that meant they black people were not allowed to go in any public places to get even a piece of bread. But that did not worried Melvin much, the reason, he was a clever young boy, he learned good in school and sport. He was confidence that he will make in life, why because his mother pearl was her name taught him in very tender ages to show all people respect, regardless what race, and that what he did. He always had a smile on his dark face that makes him many friends in Woodbine with all citizens. His character helped him to full his dream, yes it was not always smooth for him but his paradise he found in his life, not in woodbine Georgia, but in Germany, where he had his own business for many years, and his home. There is where he lives until this day. It is the story of a young black boy from Woodbine who grew to a young man, went there to Ralph J Bunch high school for a while, then he left Woodbine on his journey to seek his paradise.

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City. To the Green-eyed Lovebird: We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House. You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more. We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other. Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding… I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello. After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half? M

The Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and historian recalls his midwestern boyhood in this classic memoir. Born in a tiny cottage in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1878, Carl Sandburg grew with America. As a boy he left school at the age of thirteen to embark on a life of work—driving a milk wagon and serving as a hotel porter, a bricklayer, and a farm laborer before eventually finding his place in the world of literature. In Always the Young Strangers, Sandburg delivers a nostalgic view of small-town life around the turn of the twentieth century and an invaluable perspective on American history.