The Mayor of Castro Street

The Life and Times of Harvey Milk

By: Randy Shilts

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Known as The Mayor of Castro Street even before he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Harvey Milk's personal life, public career, and final assassination reflect the dramatic emergence of the gay community as a political power in America. It is a story full of personal tragedies and political intrigues, assassinations at City Hall, massive riots in the streets, the miscarriage of justice, and the consolidation of gay power and gay hope.

Harvey Milk has been the subject of numerous books and movies, including the Academy Award-winning 1984 documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk. His life is also the basis of a 2008 major motion picture Milk, starring Sean Penn.

As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of Randy Shilts' book, you'll also receive an exclusive Jim Atlas interview. This interview – where James Atlas interviews Larry Kramer about the life and work of Randy Shilts – begins as soon as the audiobook ends.

This production is part of our Audible Modern Vanguard line, a collection of important works from groundbreaking authors.©2008 Randy Shilts (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A no-holds-barred character study and a history of the local gay movement....An investigative piece on the mechanics of big-city government in all its expedient, back-biting splendor." ( The Washington Post)

"A remarkable work [of] biography, social history, and political machination... Exceptional." ( The Los Angeles Times)

"Should Be Required Reading In High School"

Randy Shilts knew Harvey Milk well. That is obvious. This book is a historical document that reports Milk's mission for change. Although I was alive during this time I lived in Europe. I did not have to experience any of these challenges. I cannot imagine how horrendous life must have been to live in fear of fellow Human Beings just because you love someone who just happen to be the same gender as yourself. Although I am not naive enough to think that these things are not still happening I know that Milk was a pioneer. A brave pioneer indeed.

Marc Vietor gives an animated and 'time stands still' type of performance'.

A beautifully and compassionate volume for anyone who is interested in this period of history.

Very informal and a great way to visual this point of time

You really get a glimpse into the life of Harvey milk and a great sense of the happenings during this crucial time in gay history

Excellent historical perspective of an activist.

This story is especially important to remember. And also for the younger generations of LGBT folks out there to know how the movement to obtain equal rights for us all began. Harvey Milk is in all of us and we all have work to do still!

Excellent Book!!!!!

Would you listen to The Mayor of Castro Street again? Why?

Yes, I would hear it again. It was an excellent look into the life of one of the Twentieth Century's greatest civil rights heroes. I enjoyed every bit of this book, and highly recommend it!

Learn American History

Milk encouraged his community to have the courage to come out and let Americans learn to really see and hear their neighbors, and their own families.

I would encourage everyone to likewise have the courage to hear this story of common man who became a leader; take inspiration from his attempt to make the world just a little bit better for everyone.

Take ‘Pride’ in an America story of the courage to believe in hope - of the promise of Equality that our nation must continue to aspire to.

Good, Buy Not Exactly…

I really think this should be described as a book about the 1970s San Francisco and less about Harvey Milk’s life.

Fascinating

I knew some of his story and saw my he film Milk several times. This however filled in some of the other things I was not aware of his life if San Francisco and others during this time period. I highly encourage all to read this story. It's a in depth look at the gay culture of the 70's and before.

Tears

I write this through the tears that blurred my vision. Why? Because I am was a child of the 1980's growing up gay and fearing for my safety. How much worse would it have been if Harvey Milk did not make the stand he did. I grow up knowing of the man, but not about the man. This book showed not just his good but ugly side making him more human and less ledgon and there forth more relatable. thank you for this book. Thank you Harvey for the hope.

Great Story

What made the experience of listening to The Mayor of Castro Street the most enjoyable?

I love to read bio's. This one was great even after seeing the actual movie and documentary of Milk's life.

What did you like best about this story?

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Have you listened to any of Marc Vietor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

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Any additional comments?

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Best LGBTQ history you can get

Historically accurate! I first read this book when I was 16 and it blew my mind. It was my first encounter with gay history and I couldn't read it fast enough. As a young lesbian I was desperate for our history and I wasn't finding anything that predated the AIDs epidemic. Harvey Milk is my hero and so is Randy Shilts. I can't imagine how far we would have come if he hadn't been murdered. I am listening to it now, 24 years later, and am still in awe of the bravery of those gay men, drag queens and transgender folks. You might consider And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts for your next book or the HBO movie based on it.