Cures

Cures is Martin Duberman's memoir of his experiences with psychotherapy and psychiatry spanning the 1960s and early 1970s. The author documents his pursuit of "treatment" for his homosexuality during an era when it was considered a mental illness by the medical establishment. Duberman recounts his journey through various therapeutic approaches, from Freudian psychoanalysis to behavioral modification techniques. He chronicles his relationships with multiple therapists and details the methods they employed to attempt to change his sexual orientation. The narrative follows Duberman's parallel paths as both a patient seeking help and as a professor and historian observing the broader social context. His personal story intersects with the early gay rights movement and evolving perspectives on sexuality in American society. This candid memoir stands as both a historical record of psychiatric practices and a meditation on authenticity, self-acceptance, and the definition of "normal." The work raises questions about medical authority and the relationship between social attitudes and mental health treatment.

Most readers found Duberman's honesty about his mental health journey compelling, appreciating his openness about psychotherapy experiences and sexuality. Multiple reviewers noted the value of his perspective as both a patient and historian examining different treatment approaches. Readers commended: - Raw personal details of therapy sessions - Critical analysis of mental health practices in the 1960s-70s - Exploration of how therapy intersects with gay identity Common criticisms: - Writing style can be dense and academic - Some sections feel dated by current standards - Middle chapters lose momentum Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (84 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 reviews) Google Books: 4/5 (6 reviews) One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "His willingness to expose his vulnerabilities while maintaining scholarly distance is remarkable." An Amazon reviewer noted: "The academic tone sometimes gets in the way of the human story."

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🔸 Martin Duberman underwent more than a decade of conventional psychotherapy and experimental treatments in the 1960s to "cure" his homosexuality, later becoming a prominent LGBTQ+ historian and activist. 🔸 The book's raw, personal narrative style came from Duberman's detailed therapy journals, which he kept throughout his treatment years and later used to reconstruct his experiences. 🔸 During the period covered in the book, homosexuality was still classified as a mental illness in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), not being removed until 1973. 🔸 The author went on to found the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS) at CUNY Graduate Center in 1991, the first university-based LGBTQ research center in the United States. 🔸 The memoir explores not only sexuality but also the author's struggle with debilitating anxiety and depression, challenging the mainstream psychiatric treatments of the mid-20th century.