Nathaniel Frank

Nathaniel Frank is an American historian, author and LGBTQ policy expert known for his extensive research and writing on military personnel policy and gay rights. His work has been particularly influential in the debate over and eventual repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." As director of the What We Know Project at Columbia Law School, Frank studies and analyzes empirical research on public policy issues affecting LGBTQ communities. His 2009 book "Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America" won the American Library Association's Stonewall Book Award. Frank's research and commentary have appeared in major publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic and Slate. He has provided expert testimony to Congress and served as an expert witness in multiple court cases involving LGBTQ rights. His 2017 book "Awakening: How Gays and Lesbians Brought Marriage Equality to America" traces the history of the marriage equality movement through extensive interviews and archival research. Frank currently serves as director of the What We Know Project at Cornell University's Center for the Study of Inequality.

Reviewers describe Frank as a thorough researcher who presents dense academic content in clear, readable prose. His works on military and LGBTQ+ history draw both praise and criticism. Readers appreciate: - Solid documentation and extensive sourcing - Balanced presentation of complex policy issues - Clear explanations of legal and historical developments - Data-driven arguments Common criticisms: - Academic tone can be dry - Some repetition of key points - Limited personal stories/narratives - Focus on policy over human elements Ratings across platforms: Awakening: 4.4/5 on Amazon (58 reviews) Unfriendly Fire: 4.3/5 on Amazon (47 reviews) Don't Ask, Don't Tell: 4.1/5 on Goodreads (89 reviews) One frequent Amazon reviewer noted: "Frank excels at dissecting policy but could include more individual experiences." A Goodreads reviewer wrote: "Meticulously researched but reads like a textbook at times."

Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America (2009) A comprehensive examination of the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, documenting its effects on service members and military effectiveness through historical research and firsthand accounts.

Awakening: How Gays and Lesbians Brought Marriage Equality to America (2017) A detailed history of the marriage equality movement in the United States, chronicling the decades-long journey from early activism to nationwide legalization through interviews and archival sources.

Randy Shilts - As a pioneering journalist covering LGBTQ issues and AIDS, Shilts wrote groundbreaking books like "And the Band Played On" and "Conduct Unbecoming." His investigative approach to LGBTQ military history parallels Frank's work on Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Linda Hirshman - Her work "Victory: The Triumphant Gay Revolution" examines the legal and social evolution of LGBTQ rights in America. Hirshman's focus on the strategic elements of the gay rights movement aligns with Frank's analysis of how policy changes occur.

David K. Johnson - Johnson's "The Lavender Scare" documents the persecution of gay government workers during the Cold War through detailed archival research. His methodology of combining policy analysis with personal narratives mirrors Frank's approach to documenting LGBTQ history.

George Chauncey - His book "Gay New York" established new frameworks for understanding LGBTQ urban history and social development. Chauncey's academic rigor in examining LGBTQ social movements provides context similar to Frank's policy analysis work.

Carlos Ball - Ball's books on LGBTQ rights and law, including "The Right to Be Parents," examine the legal evolution of gay rights in America. His focus on legal scholarship and policy change connects directly to Frank's work on military policy and marriage equality.