Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington

Secret City is a groundbreaking historical narrative that uncovers the hidden history of Washington, D.C., revealing how homosexuality has shaped American politics from the early 20th century to the end of the Cold War.

Drawing on thousands of declassified documents and interviews with over one hundred individuals, Kirchick chronicles the tragic stories of those impacted by the witch hunt, including Sumner Welles, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's diplomatic advisor at the center of "the greatest national scandal since the existence of the United States." This comprehensive and gripping account sheds light on how cultural and political anxiety over gay people influenced everything from the rivalry between the CIA and FBI to the rise of Joseph McCarthy, the struggle for Black civil rights, and the ascent of conservatism.

Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey into the secret city that has been hiding in plain sight all along.