When We Rise

My Life in the Movement

By: Cleve Jones

Narrated by: Cleve Jones

The partial inspiration for the forthcoming ABC miniseries from Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and executive producer Gus Van Sant, starring Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Carrie Preston, and Rachel Griffiths.

From longtime activist Cleve Jones, here is a sweeping, beautifully written memoir about a full and remarkable American life. Jones brings to life the magnetic spell cast by 1970s San Francisco, the drama and heartbreak of the AIDS crisis and the vibrant generation of gay men lost to it, and his activist work on labor, immigration, and gay rights, which continues today.

Born in 1954, Cleve Jones was among the last generation of gay Americans who grew up wondering if there were others out there like himself. There were. As did thousands of young gay people, Jones moved to San Francisco in the early '70s, nearly penniless, finding a city electrified by progressive politics and sexual liberation. Jones met lovers, developed intense friendships, and found his calling in "the movement".

Jones dove into politics and activism, taking an internship in the office of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who became Jones' mentor before his murder in 1978. With the advent of the AIDS crisis in the early '80s, Jones emerged as one of the gay community's most outspoken leaders. He cofounded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and later the AIDS Memorial Quilt, one of the largest public art projects in history.

©2016 Cleve Jones (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Cleve Jones is a history buff who has himself become part of history. He has been at the epicenter of the LGBT movement for over 45 years. Now, in When We Rise, Cleve takes us along on his personal journey in the fight for equal rights - a journey filled with humor, sadness, love and ultimately profound change." (Rob Reiner)

"Some people witness history; other actually make it happen. Cleve Jones, by planting himself boldly in the eye of the storm, has succeeded brilliantly at doing both." (Armistead Maupin, New York Times best-selling author of the Tales of the City series)

"Enlightening.... Unsparing.... Powerful." ( Booklist)

Absolutely Amazing

This is what I wish I had known more about growing up. My heart breaks for how backwards we were and continue to be. Thank you Cleve for putting down on paper our story. And it was an added bonus to hear the man himself reading aloud and feeling those emotions come through. I'll be getting a hard copy of this book and a few for friends to pass along as well.

Great story!

I loved this book ! It was really interesting hearing about Cleve’s life . Just recommended to a friend.

Be forewarned...

This is a memoir...not a history of the movement. Overall, it was good, especially the parts about the origins of the rainbow flag, the quilt, and the making of the movie Milk.

Such an Inspiring Story

Cleve Jones has participated in and facilitated major moments in gay rights history, and it was immensely inspiring to hear him recount those moments on the front lines. I highly recommend his book.

Necessary book with splendid performance!

This book was absolutely necessary in ensuring that our history is not lost in the minds of those who lived it! Cleve Jones wrote a thoughtful, informative yet funny memoir about his life in the gay liberation movement and intersperses important names and notes about other important figures like Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon and the Daughters of Bilitis. A great performance by the author is the icing on the cake! Loved this book.

Excellent!

I'm so glad that someone as passionate and involved in the fight for LGBT equality survived the AIDS Epidemic so they could share their first hand account of a history.

Amazing

A beautiful memoir and I laughed and cried and learned a lot about my queer history from one of its witnesses and agitators and activists. Must read.

had me in 1001 emotions

this memoir had me imagining i was in the fight even though it was before my time. i laughed, i cried, i rejoiced. thank you Cleve for being you!

Essential reading

A heart-rending historical and personal account of the gay rights movement and the AIDS crisis. This book is essential reading for any involved in politics or activism of any kind.

Cleve’s book is riveting and timely for people to know who came before them

When We Rise is a heartwarming reflection of one mans part of the movement that gave many freedoms to those fortunate today. It shows how the pendulum swings and continues to do so. The authors tale of the aids epidemic is touching and sad. So many wonderful souls lost during a very scary time in the world. I highly recommend this book to all who want to know a bit about those that stood up for equality and justice so that some may have freedom today. It also shows that the fight is not over. The fight continues and others can model what Cleve and others have done. Bravo.