The Secret Public

Jon Savage

£10.99

We send all orders via Royal Mail: within the UK, choose from 1st Class, 2nd Class or Special Delivery; for the rest of the world, International Standard or International Tracked. Delivery and packaging charges are calculated automatically at the checkout.

To collect orders in person from the Bookshop, choose Click and Collect at the checkout.


Faber & Faber
5 June 2025
ISBN: 9780571358397
Paperback
784 pages

From the publisher

A monumental history of the LGBTQ influence on popular culture, from the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling author Jon Savage.

GUARDIAN AND EVENING STANDARD BOOK OF THE YEAR

Fascinating.’ NEIL TENNANT

The missing story of the heart of pop.’ JOHNNY MARR
‘Superb.’ Alexis Petridis

‘Dazzling.’ GUARDIAN
‘So much spine, spunk and guts.’ NEW STATESMAN
‘Utterly engrossing.’ THE WIRE
‘Erudite.’ OBSERVER

A monumental history of the LGBTQ influence on popular culture, from the award-winning, Sunday Times-bestselling author.

An electrifying look at key moments in music and entertainment history between 1955 and 1979, which helped move gay culture from the margins to the mainstream and changed the face of pop forever – from the ambiguous sexuality of stars such as Little Richard in the 1950s through to David Bowie, glam rock and Sylvester’s ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’.

The Secret Public is a searching examination of the fortitude and resilience of the gay community through the lens of popular music and culture; it reflects on the freedom found in divergence from the norm and reminds us of the need to be vigilant against those seeking to roll back the rights of marginalised groups.