Reviews

Faderman charts the evolution of the concept of the ``lesbian'' as a 20th-century social construct and shows how love between women, once known at the turn of the century by such terms as ``romantic friendship'' or ``sentimental friendship,'' came to be called ``lesbianism.'' What was once not a realistic alternative to marriage became possible as women became educated, demanded equal rights, and came out of the home and into the workforce. With increased opportunities for independence, women no longer needed men's financial support to survive and, as a result, love between women was no longer perceived as innocently as it had been in the past. This is a much-needed book and is highly recommended for all public libraries both for its information about the perception and treatment of this particular minority group in America, as well as for its historical and sociological contribution. Its scholarly approach and content also make it a necessity for women's studies collections.-- Patricia Sarles, Mt. Sinai Medical Ctr., New York