Soldiers First

by Dave Cullen

The tumultuous story of two gay soldiers, who forge a lifelong friendship before, during, and after Don't Ask Don't Tell. Brett and Drake battle for love and freedom to survive three wars and one exhausting policy. They adopt wildly different strategies to outmaneuver the silent adversary, yet each one rises deftly toward Lt. Colonel, inside the great American war machine as it rumbles through Middle East adventures.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, History, War, Queer, Audiobook, Historical

Hardcover

About the author

Dave Cullen wrote the definitive account of COLUMBINE, plus PARKLAND: BIRTH OF A MOVEMENT, both New York Times bestsellers. The former gay infantry grunt is completing a book on two gay soldiers 25 years in the making. It depicts the arc of the gay rights struggle through the lens of two extraordinary lives — which he has been immersed in since 2000.

​Columbine has made two lists of the best 25 and 30 books of the quarter century, over a dozen Best True Crime Books of All Time, won several major awards, including the Edgar, Goodreads Choice Award, and Barnes & Noble Discover Award, and made 2 dozen Best of 2009 lists. It has been translated into nine languages.​

Dave has written for New York Times, Atlantic, Vanity Fair, London Times, Politico, Guardian, Washington Post, New Republic, BuzzFeed, etc., and has appeared on most of the major networks in the US, and across Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. He lives in Chicago and is uncle to 11 cool humans and 1 adorable corgi, Bobby Sneakers.

Reviews

[Valen · Rating 5 out of 5]

haven't read it. can't. it's not out yet. but all those shitheads giving it random low stars? not cool. so i'm giving it five stars to help balance ish out.

[ALLEN]

This nonfiction book about the long-term relationship of two soldiers isn't to be published until 2022 [a postponement of its earlier pub. date], but I'm excited about it because the author, Dave Cullen, has worked on it for many years. His track record, based on the admirable Columbine (about the Colorado school shootings), gives me reason to believe there might be another masterwork in the making.

Cullen's book about the Florida school shootings, PARKLAND, was published in February of 2019.

(Updated February 25, 2021)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure why Goodreads is allowing ratings on a book that’s not even out yet, but since there are too many jerk faces giving it 1 star, likely based on the subject matter, I’ll go ahead and give it 5 and say I can’t wait to read this book and buy multiple copies to send to all my friends and family.

[Michelle Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t read it yet as it hasn’t even been published. But, as others are also doing, I’m trying to balance out the fear-mongers who are giving it 1 star over their own insecurities.