When We Rise: My Life in the Movement

Looking around America today, it's hard to understand what it was like to be homosexual just a few decades ago. Not to say that it's easy today, but once upon a time, one's very existence was a crime. Cleve Jones grew up in that environment, bullied and tormented even before he knew why. He escaped to San Francisco, where he discovered a world that revolved around people like himself. Driven by the emergence of a man named Harvey Milk, Jones entered the political and social fray, becoming one of the iconic leaders of the gay rights movement.

WHEN WE RISE is a compelling, heart-felt autobiography. I can't say it's a warts-and-all memoir, because there's a certain flash here. It's hard to describe; I don't want to say shallowness, because Jones's conviction is clear, and I got misty-eyed in a few spots (traditionally a hard thing for a book to do, though as I move into my third decade I'm finding my heartstrings ringing a little louder than before). Perhaps what I'm detecting isn't actually a flaw at all. This is but one snapshot of the movement; it's Jones's perspective. And a unique perspective it is, as he takes us all the way from riots and beatings, to the making of the Academy Award-winning film Milk. WHEN WE RISE is one of those books that has a story that needs to be told. In today's America, perhaps such a story is becoming more important than ever.

Cleve Jones was one of the heroes of the struggle for gay rights, and it's good to have this book as a monument, especially of the 70's and 80's, as he experienced it. Jones was a right-hand man for Harvey Milk (and the inheritor of Milk's bullhorn!). He was one of the founders of the AIDS Quilt, and has been active in the struggle in many ways over the years (nay, decades). His account here is especially valuable for its description of the fights over the Briggs Amendment and Proposition 8, in which Jones was deeply involved. The only fault in the book is that it could have used a sterner editor: almost the whole first half deals with unecessary details of the author's wanderings around Europe and elsewhere, but things pick up as soon as he meets Harvey Milk. Jones describes himself as a member of the last gay generation who didn't know there were other people like him, and being 15 years older, I can identify with that (though attending an all-boys boarding school was educational!). I lived in San Francisco in the sixties, but left in 1971, just before things really got exciting, and the book is an excellent description of how things went down at that period. There's a mini-series inspired by this book forthcoming on ABC television (the end of February, 2017), and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

What an amazing story! And what an amazing life! The portrayals of Mr. Jones that you’ve seen in “Milk” or “When We Rise” are only a small part of the incredible life this man has lived! He has been fighting for social justice for his entire life, and while his significant role in the ongoing battle for LGBT rights is a central part of that fight it is not the whole story. It is a story of a man who always kept trying to move the battle forward on any front, no matter what obstacles were put in his way. It is a story of life, love, and perseverance. It is a story of someone wanting to do good in the world to help others like him, even when he didn’t think he would live to see success.
In the first part of his book he shares all the details of being a carefree young adult growing up gay in the era before the AIDS crisis. This is the story of the generation that has been lost to the epidemic and that alone makes this a must read for any gay man that came of age after the 80’s. He then gives us a first-hand account of life in the early days of the AIDS crisis and what it was like to try to go on with your life knowing that you and your friends were not expected to survive. Even with his own health in decline he continued fight not just for equal rights but for the help his community needed to survive. He tells about the development of the AIDS quilt and the Names Project, and how it was used to show America the impact that ignoring the impact of AIDS was having upon our country. His personal story of almost losing his struggle with AIDS, and then being saved by the new medications that were only available to a few points out how many more lives could have been saved if not for the inaction of our government. The last part of the book tells the story of being drafted into the marriage equality fight. Living in California and playing a role in the Prop 8 roller coaster ride, and having to stand against the National gay organizations to force the battle now, knowing too many same sex couples couldn’t wait until others decided it was time.
It is a memoir of a colorful life, filled with amazing friends and lovers. Some that did not live to see the successes he has made. Some that are still lifelong friends. And some of the new generation that will hopefully keep the struggles moving forward. He points out that the fight is never over until everyone has full and equal rights under the law. That time has not come, and will not if we become complacent. I hope that this book can help a new generation to understand.
I enjoyed the Audible version of this book. Hearing it read by Cleve himself made it even more touching. Hearing the emotion in his voice as he tells his story really helps to connect with his life. More than once I cried along with his trembling voice as he described both victories and losses.
Sorry for the long review. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I admire the man and respect his story. It is a life I could never have endured, but thanks to him and many others of his generation, I won’t have to.

Cleve Jones tells his story well from the beginning of the LGBT movement through his adventures in politics before and during the AIDS epidemic.

Especially poignant is his description of his friend Harvey Milk, the creation of the Names Project Quilt and his relationships with various (very various) men, women and transgender folk everywhere. Candid and witty, this autobiography is an inspiring story for anyone who has an interest in what happens When We Rise.

Even if you know the outlines of the history here, Jones has a story to tell and tells it well.

As a teen growing up in northern California in the 1980s, AIDS was a mysterious and horrifying reality. When I learned that loved ones were being denied visitation to their dying partner's hospital bedside, often resulting in that patient dying alone, I realized that it was one of the most absurd things I had ever heard.
Cleve Jones writes with humor and honesty. His stories about Harvey Milk helped me better understand what pushes an ordinary person to envision and seek extraordinary outcomes. I recommend this book to anyone who lived through or wants to learn more about this historic time.

Well written and personal account. I lived in SF through the AIDS epidemic and not only did this book highlight that period accurately but it did an incredible job explaining the decades before AIDS. That part of the gay history timeline is precious and in many ways would have been lost to younger generations if Cleve had not captured the details so brilliantly. So many people were lost in the first wave of AIDS. So many stories of courage on the path to our communities liberation. I am so grateful for this book!

Fascinating book that submerges its reader in the gay rights movement. Historically based in San Francisco, the author introduces Harvey Milk and other influential activists to tell the story of a lifestyle and a movement that was too big to stop. Essential reading for the LGBT community, but really for anyone who has empathy for human rights. I have gay family members and this helped me understand the struggles these dedicated people faced to gain acceptance and who their forebearers were.

I heard Cleve Jones interviewed on NPR/Fresh Air and was so impressed I bought the book right away. His story is incredibly moving for anybody who has a shred of empathy--his childhood of being bullied and sexually abused, his political awakening, his loss of so many, many friends to AIDS, a loss he still struggles to come to terms with, and his understanding of the great work advocates can do to alleviate suffering in the present and future. Jones's measured, beautiful words in both that interview and this book will be an inspiration to readers no matter their sexuality. The person who wrote the one-star review should be deeply, deeply ashamed of his comments. Understanding and empathy are so hard to come by these days, but we need all of it now more than ever.

The good thing about this book is everyone should reflect on their lives with satisfaction and self-heroism. Cleve fancies himself a general in the gay rights victories. Sure, Cleve has/had a following (although he ran for local office and has not won). This book is a fine walk down memory lane for those of us in San Francisco in the 1970s-1980s. Is it history? Well, it is his story, as he sees it. There are many better books on the gay rights movement that give a broader view, but this book does contain Cleve's enthusiasm. Wars are won with many small battles won by individual soldiers. Granted, Cleve was willing to be a loud, colorful, visible person for inspiration when the gay neighborhoods in San Francisco needed such characters. He appeared in a story on ABC News when others probably would not have wanted to, at a critical time. The quilt is a tremendous work of art, which no doubt moved many skeptical about gays and AIDS. But there were many heroes of equal stature and a bit less sanctimonious. I hope he makes lots of money on the book and TV series. And I hope it offers comfort for those looking back and inspiration for the young.

This is the first review I have written on the store. Not because I love Cleve Jones - I don't dislike him, although at times in the earlier portion of the book I found his narrative shallow. But then I read further. What lies here is a devastatingly moving and emotional survey of the gay rights movement. I cried endlessly. It has radicalized me.

My friend rented the book to me with a "you should definitely read this." I am glad I did, and I recommend others do as well.

Thank you for this experience, Cleve.

This book will remind those old enough to have forgotten, and those too young to know, the great courage and strength of character, in the face of implacable, and often brutal, odds, it took to reach the self respect, freedom and acceptance we have today. Thank you Cleve Jones and all the LGBT heroes who fought for our rights. Knowing your personal story will help us in the struggles ahead.

I bought this book after hearing Cleve Jones speak at the JCCSF. Although he claimed to be fatigued, he'd galvanised the room with his candor and humor. His memoir is even more exciting, full of wonderful, picaresque surprises. For what it's worth, I'm not exactly his target audience (middle-aged straight female with no real interest in LGBT issues) but his story and his commitment to ordinary workers pretty much changed my view of the leadership of the LGBT movement. Very inspired by his work and excited to read his next book. (And secretly hoping he runs for office...)

I listened to the audiobook, and if you​ can get past being beaten over the head repeatedly by the name-dropping and the number of times he obsesses over a former partner or just a guy he hooked up with, Jones's life actually has some interesting moments.

This was just pathetic. I have never read anyone so insipid and cliché. I heard him on Fresh Air, and I it was like I could guess what he was going to say before he said it. Could be possibly use the term "the community" and more often. We get it, your gay, don't make a career out of it . . . oh, wait, you just did.