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Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson
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Expected 20 May 25Black transgender luminary Tourmaline brings to life the first definitive biography of the revolutionary activist Marsha P. Johnson, one of the most important and remarkable figures in LGBTQIA+ history, revealing her story, her impact, and her legacy.
“She is the preeminent and foremost scholar on Marsha P. Johnson. . . . To us, Tourmaline is the expert.”—Janet Mock, Allure
“Thank god the revolution has begun, honey.� Rumor has it that after Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, she picked up a shard of broken mirror to fix her makeup. Marsha, a legendary Black transgender activist, embodied both the beauty and the struggle of the early gay rights movement. Her work sparked the progress we see today, yet there has never been a definitive record of her life. Until now.
Written with sparkling prose,Tourmaline’s richly researched biography Marsha finally brings this iconic figure to life, in full color. We vividly meet Marsha as both an activist and She performed with RuPaul and with the internationally renowned drag troupe The Hot Peaches. She was a muse to countless artists from Andy Warhol to the band Earth, Wind & Fire. And she continues to inspire people today.
Marsha didn’t wait to be freed; she declared herself free and told the world to catch up.Her story promises to inspire readers to live as their most liberated, unruly, vibrant, and whole selves.
“She is the preeminent and foremost scholar on Marsha P. Johnson. . . . To us, Tourmaline is the expert.”—Janet Mock, Allure
“Thank god the revolution has begun, honey.� Rumor has it that after Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, she picked up a shard of broken mirror to fix her makeup. Marsha, a legendary Black transgender activist, embodied both the beauty and the struggle of the early gay rights movement. Her work sparked the progress we see today, yet there has never been a definitive record of her life. Until now.
Written with sparkling prose,Tourmaline’s richly researched biography Marsha finally brings this iconic figure to life, in full color. We vividly meet Marsha as both an activist and She performed with RuPaul and with the internationally renowned drag troupe The Hot Peaches. She was a muse to countless artists from Andy Warhol to the band Earth, Wind & Fire. And she continues to inspire people today.
Marsha didn’t wait to be freed; she declared herself free and told the world to catch up.Her story promises to inspire readers to live as their most liberated, unruly, vibrant, and whole selves.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 20, 2025
4,339 people want to read
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December 14, 2024Emotional history and the unprovable past act on and transform each other to create the future in this forceful, passionate, and unique tribute to the legacy and life of Marsha P Johnson. Tourmaline makes Marsha's life come back to life and changes our collective memories with this devoted preservation of the community, the grassroots, friendship, the will of the Black transwoman individual, and a tribute to every queer who willed her self-understanding into reality. Told with love and alchemy.
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October 23, 2024show it to me rachel please
November 29, 2024
In reading this book, I learned so much not only about the beautiful life of Marsha P. Johnson, but also more about queer history generally in the US. The author very obviously treats Marsha’s life with the respect and love she deserved, and poured this passion into the book. I was so honored to receive an ARC copy of Marsha from goodreads. The only feedback I could possibly give is that the inclusion of more dates would be helpful for context. For example, not everyone will know Marsha P. Johnson’s date of birth. Calculating her age through the book provided really helpful and insightful context about what she was doing from a young age, like being only 23 at the time of the Stonewall Uprising. I would recommend this book to everyone in the US so we can all remember just how recently it was that the gay rights movement had any success, and how much progress is still left to be made, specifically given the persecution trans people still face in America today.
March 27, 2025
“Honey, I don’t care if I never have nothing until the day I die, all I want is my freedom.�
Massive thanks to Tiny Reparations Books, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the aARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book made me burst into tears at the end and for me that doesn’t happen often. Marsha P. Johnson is a figure I knew bits and pieces about through documentaries and other media, but this is such a definitive, stunning biography about her life.
Marsha was a force. She was an activist before she knew it, being an integral part of the Stonewall riots that forced the LGBTQ+ community to the forefront of the culture at the time. But as important as she was, transgender people were being shunned from other gay and lesbian protests and groups. She was largely erased from the history and this book does an incredible job reminding everyone of how important she was.
It’s so amazing to read about her caring nature and how she took it upon herself to care for other queens and trans people. She was honest about her life, though it was still full of trauma. There are these amazing stories about her giving others her last dollars or making sure people in her community were fed or giving them her clothes. She took care of friends with AIDS back in a time where it wasn’t acknowledged by the government and hospitals didn’t want to offer any help. She was selfless and it shines in the stories told about her.
The chapter about her death is what made me emotional. People held her in such high regard and the words that were spoken about her were truly beautiful. It’s such a testament to her memory and everything she did in her life. I hope this book makes more people familiar with her and her impact of the LGBTQ+ community that still resonates today.
Just all the stars.
Massive thanks to Tiny Reparations Books, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the aARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book made me burst into tears at the end and for me that doesn’t happen often. Marsha P. Johnson is a figure I knew bits and pieces about through documentaries and other media, but this is such a definitive, stunning biography about her life.
Marsha was a force. She was an activist before she knew it, being an integral part of the Stonewall riots that forced the LGBTQ+ community to the forefront of the culture at the time. But as important as she was, transgender people were being shunned from other gay and lesbian protests and groups. She was largely erased from the history and this book does an incredible job reminding everyone of how important she was.
It’s so amazing to read about her caring nature and how she took it upon herself to care for other queens and trans people. She was honest about her life, though it was still full of trauma. There are these amazing stories about her giving others her last dollars or making sure people in her community were fed or giving them her clothes. She took care of friends with AIDS back in a time where it wasn’t acknowledged by the government and hospitals didn’t want to offer any help. She was selfless and it shines in the stories told about her.
The chapter about her death is what made me emotional. People held her in such high regard and the words that were spoken about her were truly beautiful. It’s such a testament to her memory and everything she did in her life. I hope this book makes more people familiar with her and her impact of the LGBTQ+ community that still resonates today.
Just all the stars.
December 3, 2024
I had watched a documentary on Netflix awhile back and was intrigued by this interesting, colorful and amazing woman - so I just had to read this book. This book is a testament to someone that despite all the crap that life threw at her (and man was it a lot) she faced it all with her amazing smile. Although the majority of her life she went without, she always found a way to help others. Marsha is the epitome of the Billy Joel song "Only the good die young." The author truly gave Marsha her voice back in a way that she will be remembered for all that she did for her community and not the suspicions that continue to surround her untimely death even today. Brava! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 10, 2025
Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P Johnson is a biography of Marsha P Johnson.
I LOVED THIS!!! One of my majors in college was Gender, Security, and Women's Studies. In that major, I learned a lot aboutMarsha P Johnson. If you know nothing about Marsha P Johnson, I highlysuggest reading this. If you do know about Marsha P Johnson, I also suggest reading this. Reading this made me learn even more about what a bad assshe was. This book also focused a lot on queer history which I also loved because my other major in college was History. (Side note: I chose majors that required a lot of reading...because of course I did!) This book didn't read like a biography at all. This book was super interesting, and I did not want to put it down! Anyway, read this book. I will be thinking about this one for a long time. Also, can we talk about how stunning Marsha P Johnson is and how pretty this cover is!
Thank you,Tiny Reparations Books and netgalley for the ARC of this book.
I LOVED THIS!!! One of my majors in college was Gender, Security, and Women's Studies. In that major, I learned a lot aboutMarsha P Johnson. If you know nothing about Marsha P Johnson, I highlysuggest reading this. If you do know about Marsha P Johnson, I also suggest reading this. Reading this made me learn even more about what a bad assshe was. This book also focused a lot on queer history which I also loved because my other major in college was History. (Side note: I chose majors that required a lot of reading...because of course I did!) This book didn't read like a biography at all. This book was super interesting, and I did not want to put it down! Anyway, read this book. I will be thinking about this one for a long time. Also, can we talk about how stunning Marsha P Johnson is and how pretty this cover is!
Thank you,Tiny Reparations Books and netgalley for the ARC of this book.
March 20, 2025
I was blessed to receive an advance review copy of this book, an extraordinary biography of Black trans revolutionary Marsha P. Johnson is exactly rhetorical book this world needs right now, and Tourmaline delivered exactly that with such deeply researched, profound and loving insight and care. I learned so much more about Marsha P. Johnson than I ever knew, while also receiving a layer of even deeper insight into why Marsha was cherished by so many throughout her life and why she resonates so powerfully in the decades since her death among people - like myself - who never knew her and yet always felt like we have.
The writing here is elegant. The story is at times whimsical and funny, and also heartbreaking and enraging, but always honest and humane. The book is wonderfully organized into chapters that illuminate some aspect of Marsha’s life from her youth and struggles in New York, to her artistry, activism, and abundance as aesthetic.
I can’t overstate how much I love this book. If I could gift it to every person out there wondering how we are to hold space to pursue justice and freedom acknowledging our rage and the need to agitate for the world we all deserve, and at the same time not lose site of joy as revolution, I would. I hope everyone will read this book and be transformed again and again for the better by Marsha’s enduring spirit.
And to whoever designed the cover, you did a wonderful job. It is gorgeous and just made me smile and encouraged me with its cheerful power every single time I saw it, and whenever people saw me reading the book they gravitated to me. The cover is magic and it should be framed.
Thank you, Tourmaline and Tiny Reparations for this incredible book. You have done Marsha, all Black trans and queer people, and biography as a genre extremely proud.
The writing here is elegant. The story is at times whimsical and funny, and also heartbreaking and enraging, but always honest and humane. The book is wonderfully organized into chapters that illuminate some aspect of Marsha’s life from her youth and struggles in New York, to her artistry, activism, and abundance as aesthetic.
I can’t overstate how much I love this book. If I could gift it to every person out there wondering how we are to hold space to pursue justice and freedom acknowledging our rage and the need to agitate for the world we all deserve, and at the same time not lose site of joy as revolution, I would. I hope everyone will read this book and be transformed again and again for the better by Marsha’s enduring spirit.
And to whoever designed the cover, you did a wonderful job. It is gorgeous and just made me smile and encouraged me with its cheerful power every single time I saw it, and whenever people saw me reading the book they gravitated to me. The cover is magic and it should be framed.
Thank you, Tourmaline and Tiny Reparations for this incredible book. You have done Marsha, all Black trans and queer people, and biography as a genre extremely proud.
March 18, 2025
A poetic, visually rich tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, celebrating her joy, resilience, and activism. Blending history with imagination, the book reclaims Marsha’s legacy through vibrant & heartbreaking storytelling. Tourmaline captures her spirit beyond tragedy, centering her as a visionary who dreamed of liberation.
It’s a powerful reminder of Black trans joy, survival, and the importance of collective care - and lord knows we need it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
It’s a powerful reminder of Black trans joy, survival, and the importance of collective care - and lord knows we need it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
February 5, 2025
Page 33 - reading about Marsha’s youth is fascinating.
March 12, 2025
~~Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the ARC!~~
It's been a while since a book made me cry this hard. I had to use, like, five tissues, but, to be honest, it should've been a lot more.
Anyway, I'm firmly taking the stance that this book is the autobiography of the year and everyone needs to read it.
Like many, I became of Marsha at some point in the last few years but never knew anything about her other than she was one of the heads of the LGBTQ+ movement through the Stonewall riots and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. This book truly showed me she was so much more than that. She was a mother figure who took in and cared for other trans people, she was a force of nature on and off the stage, she was a deeply spiritual person who prayed for her deceased loved ones to become flowers so they'd live forever inside her (That really got me. Even now the tears threaten to come back.), Marsha was a whole person who was beloved, complex, and wholly human. Tourmaline really brought this queen's personality to life through her writing.
I also loved the wider queer history included, as well as learning about other major trans women such as Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, Mary Jones, etc. Tourmaline painted such vivid pictures of the state of the world around Marsha. From the heavy discrimination and brutality from the police to the exclusion from gay/lesbian spaces despite having propelled the movement to the height of the AIDS/HIV crisis, having history culminated through Marsha's life felt more personable and real than anything I've read before.
All in all, I absolutely love this book. This book couldn't have come at a more perfect time, when we need stories such as Marsha's told more than ever. This book will definitely will be sticking with me for a long time.
It's been a while since a book made me cry this hard. I had to use, like, five tissues, but, to be honest, it should've been a lot more.
Anyway, I'm firmly taking the stance that this book is the autobiography of the year and everyone needs to read it.
Like many, I became of Marsha at some point in the last few years but never knew anything about her other than she was one of the heads of the LGBTQ+ movement through the Stonewall riots and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. This book truly showed me she was so much more than that. She was a mother figure who took in and cared for other trans people, she was a force of nature on and off the stage, she was a deeply spiritual person who prayed for her deceased loved ones to become flowers so they'd live forever inside her (That really got me. Even now the tears threaten to come back.), Marsha was a whole person who was beloved, complex, and wholly human. Tourmaline really brought this queen's personality to life through her writing.
I also loved the wider queer history included, as well as learning about other major trans women such as Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, Mary Jones, etc. Tourmaline painted such vivid pictures of the state of the world around Marsha. From the heavy discrimination and brutality from the police to the exclusion from gay/lesbian spaces despite having propelled the movement to the height of the AIDS/HIV crisis, having history culminated through Marsha's life felt more personable and real than anything I've read before.
All in all, I absolutely love this book. This book couldn't have come at a more perfect time, when we need stories such as Marsha's told more than ever. This book will definitely will be sticking with me for a long time.
January 14, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book!
Honestly, I think this book changed my life a little bit. Tourmaline is a fantastic author and treats Marsha with care and thoughtfulness. She also doesn't shy away from the harder aspects of Marsha's life. Marsha's spirit comes through so clearly, and the tragedy of her early death can be felt. The way Marsha was able to create community was just beautiful - I love that Tourmaline does focus on the care-taking nature that Marsha had, but also brought forth the idea that while it may have come naturally to Marsha, that didn't make it easy.
Reading about Marsha's care for her friends (and even strangers) was mesmerizing. Reading about how she made the most (and such true beauty) of ANYTHING she had was beautiful. It was also sad and provoking to see how hard life was for her. She very rarely had stability in her life, and to think of what could have been if she had more stability is a little bit heartbreaking. She deserved so much more than life gave her. and while we've definitely made some strides towards Marsha's dream, there is still so far to go.
Possibly my favorite thing, or at least the thing that probably moved me the most, was how Marsha talked and thought about death. As just another phase. When she died, she wouldn't really be gone, just changed in shape/presence. That was a really comforting thought to me.
Marsha embodied freedom, and she freed those around her to do the same. We can all learn from Marsha, and we should all read this book!
Honestly, I think this book changed my life a little bit. Tourmaline is a fantastic author and treats Marsha with care and thoughtfulness. She also doesn't shy away from the harder aspects of Marsha's life. Marsha's spirit comes through so clearly, and the tragedy of her early death can be felt. The way Marsha was able to create community was just beautiful - I love that Tourmaline does focus on the care-taking nature that Marsha had, but also brought forth the idea that while it may have come naturally to Marsha, that didn't make it easy.
Reading about Marsha's care for her friends (and even strangers) was mesmerizing. Reading about how she made the most (and such true beauty) of ANYTHING she had was beautiful. It was also sad and provoking to see how hard life was for her. She very rarely had stability in her life, and to think of what could have been if she had more stability is a little bit heartbreaking. She deserved so much more than life gave her. and while we've definitely made some strides towards Marsha's dream, there is still so far to go.
Possibly my favorite thing, or at least the thing that probably moved me the most, was how Marsha talked and thought about death. As just another phase. When she died, she wouldn't really be gone, just changed in shape/presence. That was a really comforting thought to me.
Marsha embodied freedom, and she freed those around her to do the same. We can all learn from Marsha, and we should all read this book!
February 11, 2025
I give this book 4.5 stars. I received a free ebook from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I like biographies. I like learning about historical figures. I did not know anything about Marsha. I grew up during the AIDS epidemic.
The book is easy to read. The chapters are a little long. I finished the book fairly quickly. It occasionally talks about some stuff happening today and other trans activists. I feel today's references in the book. are so relevant, with the current administration trying to erase trans lives. The emphasis of the book is on Marsha.
I knew so little about Trans history. The book was fascinating ( and heartbreaking at times). It is hard to imagine the hatred ( and also the love) for Marsha and the trans community.
The book talks about the AIDS crisis. This book is really good to read for the younger generation. The AIDS crisis devasted those with a conscious. The death toll was unimaginable.
One of the fascinating things about the book and Marsha is that she is an unlikely hero. She doesn't remember when events happened. She struggled with a lot of challenges. She isn't perfect. Yet she is tough and loveable.
The book challenges the reader to see themselves in Marsha and her history. It challenges us to possibly think different. Maybe be a better advocate.
I am so thankful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I hope others read this book and learn about Marsha historic life.
The book is easy to read. The chapters are a little long. I finished the book fairly quickly. It occasionally talks about some stuff happening today and other trans activists. I feel today's references in the book. are so relevant, with the current administration trying to erase trans lives. The emphasis of the book is on Marsha.
I knew so little about Trans history. The book was fascinating ( and heartbreaking at times). It is hard to imagine the hatred ( and also the love) for Marsha and the trans community.
The book talks about the AIDS crisis. This book is really good to read for the younger generation. The AIDS crisis devasted those with a conscious. The death toll was unimaginable.
One of the fascinating things about the book and Marsha is that she is an unlikely hero. She doesn't remember when events happened. She struggled with a lot of challenges. She isn't perfect. Yet she is tough and loveable.
The book challenges the reader to see themselves in Marsha and her history. It challenges us to possibly think different. Maybe be a better advocate.
I am so thankful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I hope others read this book and learn about Marsha historic life.
February 24, 2025
This book treats Marsha very respectfully. I've known who she is for years, but it's nice to learn more about her life and her unfortunate death. A lot of work went into this book to show us who Marsha was and it shows.
The book also occasionally relates certain past events to modern day, which helps to make you remember that LGBT rights are still a fight. A good example of this discussed in chapter 2 was New York police officers having a lot of leeway in arresting people just for walking on the street while trans, a bill that was only repealed in 2020.
It's important to know history and it's important to know the people that made history happen. Marsha helped to change the world and you can't erase her or other trans people from LGBT history.
The book also occasionally relates certain past events to modern day, which helps to make you remember that LGBT rights are still a fight. A good example of this discussed in chapter 2 was New York police officers having a lot of leeway in arresting people just for walking on the street while trans, a bill that was only repealed in 2020.
It's important to know history and it's important to know the people that made history happen. Marsha helped to change the world and you can't erase her or other trans people from LGBT history.
March 14, 2025
What a delight of a read. Masha paints a complex, compassionate, realistic, joyful and impactful picture of Marsha P. Johnson and all she did to contribute to LGBTQIA+ history. Each chapter was divided into a different facet of Marsha’s life and helped visualize the incredible woman she was.
Tourmaline crafts this biography with so much love and care while highlighting the impact Marsha has on her own life. From Marsha's childhood to Stonewall to activism to legacy, each chapter combines history with interviews to craft an engrossing picture. The cover perfectly exemplifies everything you will find in this book: joy, defiance, and love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tiny Reparations Books, and Tourmaline for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tourmaline crafts this biography with so much love and care while highlighting the impact Marsha has on her own life. From Marsha's childhood to Stonewall to activism to legacy, each chapter combines history with interviews to craft an engrossing picture. The cover perfectly exemplifies everything you will find in this book: joy, defiance, and love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tiny Reparations Books, and Tourmaline for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2025
Thank you the the author, Tourmaline, Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley for the eARC!
The author adeptly explored the life of Marsha in this new biography. Marsha is known for being the spark of the modern LGBTQIA+ movement yet many people do not know her story. In this biography all facets of Marsha’s life are woven together to show a whole picture of who Marsha was and how despite all the hardships she faced she remained joyful and authentically herself.
I really appreciated how this biography was broken down into the many tools Marsha played in the different phases of her life. This is a must read.
The author adeptly explored the life of Marsha in this new biography. Marsha is known for being the spark of the modern LGBTQIA+ movement yet many people do not know her story. In this biography all facets of Marsha’s life are woven together to show a whole picture of who Marsha was and how despite all the hardships she faced she remained joyful and authentically herself.
I really appreciated how this biography was broken down into the many tools Marsha played in the different phases of her life. This is a must read.
February 20, 2025
To be honest I don’t do many autobiography bc it can be a tad boring. But, when I saw Marsha on NetGalley I knew this would keep my attention, not bc she was of African Decent, but due to the history is repeating itself right now. Marsha story about her struggle and how hard to be accepted and movement they accomplished will truly be relevant now in the twenty century and its a shame we keep going in circle about the right to be who you prefer to be, it not your body and to me it says a-lot about her courage and what other had to and now have to do to be seen.
February 10, 2025
What a lovely tribute to the one and only Marsha P. Johnson. I am delighted that I got to read this book because I knew only the basics about this iconic lady. From her birth to her tragic demise and all the colorful, sparkling, floral moments in between, Tourmaline gives us Marsha's story with care and respect, detailing all the ways Marsha touched so many lives and continues to be a guiding light in this unrelenting world.
December 9, 2024
This is a beautifully written bio of Marsha P. (the P standing for "pay it no mind") Johnson. We learn about her early life in Elizabeth, NJ., to her time at the Stonewall riot. I learned that Marsha was a troubled but beautiful person who tried to spread joy and beauty wherever she went. Her story is an important part of gay and transgender liberation.
March 13, 2025
The author brilliantly illustrated the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha was an extraordinary figure in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, and this book effectively highlights her impact and lasting influence. Marsha was a legendary activist, and her story inspires us to embrace our true selves and live authentically.
April 6, 2025
I found my rec for pride month 🥰 I didn’t know anything about Marsha, so all information in this book was new to me and I learned a lot. She had a tragic death that has not seen justice yet. At least now, her life story is more accessible thanks to this book. It’s written beautifully. Thank you for the publsiher for this book!
April 9, 2025
A powerful, big-hearted look into the life of iconic trans artist and activist Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha's story intersects with so many important moments in queer rights history, but she was also a real person with her own strengths, shortcomings, found family, and traumas. This is a must-read biography for anyone interested in trans and queer history.
Shelved as 'no-interest'
January 16, 2025He wasn't trans.
March 8, 2025
phenomenal. review to come on pub day!
April 6, 2025
A stunning, joyful, resonant, and rich biography of a powerful and transcendent icon. Grateful for those who carry history forward with such enormous love-- both Marsha, and Tourmaline.
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