A fabulously fun read that sashays through centuries of camp history. I was insightfully introduced to many new pieces of delightful camp culture and reminded of some old favourites with smart commentary and funny anecdotes thrown in. You’ll have a full list of books, films, tv, and past icons to research further and enjoy. This made brilliant pride month reading, with attention shown to how camp has been used by the queer community in so many different ways, from entertainment to politics, as well as a few instances of the straights getting dreadfully involved (often unintentionally). Camp as an attitude that both celebrates and lovingly prods its object is something we can always do with more of. Vive camp!

Thanks to the publishers for an advance reading copy. What an extraordinarily fascinating book which charts the history of Camp. I love this book so much. Not only did I learn a lot, I so enjoyed recognising all the pop culture later on in the book. I shall be reading this again! Now, where did I leave that glitter…

In Camp! Paul Baker tells the entire history of the most fabulous of attitudes. Spanning over 300 years from the court of Louis XIV to RuPaul's drag race and beyond. Baker discusses not only what camp is but also talks the reader through many excellent examples of camp and shows what happens when camp goes wrong. Baker writes deliciously witty and funny with an approachable and casual style. Not only is the book highly informative but also an absolute delight to read and at times deeply personal when Baker shares his own personal experience with camp. The many examples Baker puts forward are guaranteed to wet the reader's appetite to experience some of these camp gems for themself. What I found particularly interesting is that Baker also puts a big focus on camp media that may often be overlooked, especially examples of camp that aren't white or Anglo-American. All in all, Camp! is a brilliant read for anyone who is wanting to learn more about camp or is interested in cultural history in general. An extremely entertaining read that proves how marvelous camp can be and that it is far from dead.

In Camp! Paul Baker tells the entire history of the most fabulous of attitudes. Spanning over 300 years from the court of Louis XIV to RuPaul's drag race and beyond. Baker discusses not only what camp is but also talks the reader through many excellent examples of camp and shows what happens when camp goes wrong. Baker writes deliciously witty and funny with an approachable and casual style. Not only is the book highly informative but also an absolute delight to read and at times deeply personal when Baker shares his own personal experience with camp. The many examples Baker puts forward will wet the reader's appetite to experience some of these camp gems themselves. What I found particularly interesting is that Baker also puts a big focus on camp media that may often be overlooked, especially examples of camp that aren't white or Anglo-American. All in all, Camp! is a brilliant read for anyone who is wanting to learn more about camp or is interested in cultural history in general. An extremely entertaining read that proves how marvelous camp can be and that it is far from dead.

Paul Baker’s latest foray into LGBT+ history, following histories of Polari and Section 28, takes a look at 'Camp! The story of the attitude that conquered the world' – and it is both an extremely educative and entertaining read. As with those two previous books, Baker’s approach is well-researched historically, but also includes autobiographical elements and observations, with a nice side of cheek. Also as previously, this recipe works very well. The first chapter examines the origins of camp as we know it – in particular, its relationship to Louis IX in France. I also had no idea about the origins of the cakewalk and the black balls, and therefore, voguing. Baker covers both these in good fashion. I’ve seen the Jimmy Cagney film 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (1942) a number of times, but I hadn’t a clue that the lyrics of the eponymous song were originally written in 1755 as a British pop at ragged Americans, who then turned it around. Take these lyrics: “Yankee Doodle went to London, Riding on a pony, Stuck a feather in his cap, And called it macaroni.” Had I ever considered what the pasta reference was actually about? No. But in fact, it was a nickname – and a pejorative one – for young British men who did the Grand Tour and returned with the fashion affectations of, in particular, Italy. Maybe not ‘gay’, but certainly you can see the link to ‘camp’ – and to gay. Fascinating. Taking a leaf out of Baker’s own book, so to speak, there was masses here (particularly in the earlier chapters) that I recognised as tastes from my own earlier years. Agnes Moorehead in 'Bewitched' gets a mention – my absolute favourite character in a show I adored as a child! Paul Lynde was also in 'Bewitched', but for me, was most memorable and most deliciously enjoyable for his voiceover work on 'The Perils of Penelope Pitstop' (camp in every way imaginable). There are explorations of upper-class British (English) camp – the Mitfords in particular, plus the reach of non-aristo Noël Coward – together with a fascinating introduction to the black cakewalks and balls where voguing was created. But while camp is easy to take as an unserious attitude, Baker illustrates that it is often a way of defiance. And how much more defiant than those at the Stonewall Riots who faced down the police down with a chorus line, singing a revised version of 'Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay', which, while details are not set in concrete, certainly involved black drag queens. There’s a personal educational tip on that note – it also made me realise also why a version of Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay is used, in the way it is, in the film, 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. Of course there are things that are missing here – as Baker acknowledges early on: everyone will have different camp (and campy – ie *knowingly* being camp) faves, but this a really good look at a cultural phenomenon. Excellent for Pride Month.