" A bold and beautifully written quest for the queer in antiquity. " -- Tom Holland " This book is brilliant and mind-bending . My god, this book is needed. History has never seemed more alive, more vital, more dangerous, and more wonderful. " -- Russell T Davies " Illuminating and timely ." -- The Reverend Richard Coles ""An extremely compelling proposition which asks, with personal urgency, how a religion of love can also - somehow - end up as a religion of pain."" -- Alain de Botton "This scintillating history shows how economic crises have led ancient and modern societies to demonize queer love. It could not be more timely.

" -- Orlando Reade, author of What Is In Me is Dark: The Revolutionary Life of Paradise Lost "Learned, nuanced, intelligent and fascinating , this is a vital new work of queer scholarship." -- Patrick Ness, author of Release and The Rest of Us Just Live Here " Scholarly, immersive, and vital history of queer intolerance. " -- Kirkus Reviews " [An] impressive debut study. Expansive yet fast-paced, it's a captivating reimagining of the politics of queer desire. " -- Publisher's Weekly " The work is scholarly and accessible, and deserves its rightful place in a crowded field. " -- Church Times " A powerful and informative exploration of the history of homophobia and where it came from. Still a pressing issue today, this is a book every queer person and ally should read! " --Sally Pattle, The Booksellers Circle " An affirming and absorbing look at queer antiquity. " -- Library Journal " If you skip this book, you're missing out on the kind of excitement you get from reading mythology - but what's here is true, and a much wider view than mere folklore.

" -- Seattle Gay News.