Sean Strub's 'Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS, and Survival' is a candid, deeply personal account of living as a gay man during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Strub expertly weaves his own life story—including his political activism, battles with HIV, and involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy—into a larger narrative about America's evolving response to AIDS. The memoir is both a historical record and a call to action, illuminating the pain, activism, and resilience of a community fighting for survival.
Visibility and advocacy can change the course of history, especially for marginalized communities.
Survival often requires both personal resilience and communal support.
Telling the truth about one's life, even when risky, can empower others and dismantle stigma.
The book was published in: 2014
AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 89
Sean Strub recounts being one of the first openly HIV-positive candidates to run for federal office. Despite the stigma of the era, he used his campaign to raise awareness and challenge notions about AIDS and those living with it. This bold visibility advanced both the conversation and acceptance of LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive individuals in the political arena.
Noticing a gap in media representation for people living with HIV/AIDS, Strub founded POZ magazine. The publication provided reliable information and support, offering both visibility and a sense of community to people who had been isolated by fear and stigma. It remains an influential resource today.
Strub was actively involved with ACT UP and other AIDS activist groups, participating in demonstrations and direct actions. Through these efforts, activists pressured the government and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate research, reduce drug costs, and expand compassionate care. These actions saved lives and changed public policy.
Strub describes the devastating impact of losing dozens of friends and lovers to AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s. His honest recounting of grief and trauma, balanced with his commitment to activism, demonstrates the complex emotional landscape faced by those surviving in hard-hit communities. The memoir becomes both a record of loss and a testament to resilience.
The memoir recounts numerous instances where people with HIV/AIDS were denied care or treated poorly by medical professionals. Strub became an advocate for patients’ rights and better healthcare policy. His advocacy helped pave the way for greater ethical standards and legal protections for people living with HIV.
by Randy Shilts
AI Rating: 96
AI Review: A groundbreaking chronicle of the early days of the AIDS epidemic, focusing on the political, scientific, and human tragedies that shaped its legacy. Shilts's investigative journalism informed a generation and remains a vital historical document.
View Insightsby Rebecca Makkai
AI Rating: 91
AI Review: A moving and intricate novel that juxtaposes the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chicago with its aftermath decades later. Makkai's story balances intimacy and epic scale, bringing vividly to life the personal costs of an epidemic.
View Insightsby David France
AI Rating: 94
AI Review: This extensively researched history chronicles the grassroots activism that transformed HIV/AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. France's work is both a tribute to those lost and a celebration of the activists who fought for change.
View Insightsby Paul Monette
AI Rating: 93
AI Review: Monette's memoir of caring for his partner during the height of the epidemic is intimate and heart-wrenching. It remains a powerful testament to love, loss, and endurance in the face of tragedy.
View Insightsby David Wojnarowicz
AI Rating: 89
AI Review: An unflinching, lyrical memoir by a prominent artist and activist who confronted AIDS’ impact on his life and art. Wojnarowicz's raw prose captures both personal anguish and political rage.
View Insightsby Elton John
AI Rating: 80
AI Review: Part memoir, part manifesto, Elton John reflects on the people he's lost to AIDS and shares lessons from founding his AIDS Foundation. The book offers hope and a call for compassion-driven action.
View Insightsby Paige Rawl
AI Rating: 82
AI Review: A young adult memoir chronicling Rawl’s experiences growing up HIV-positive, the bullying she endured, and her decision to become an advocate. It’s a story of resilience and the long-term effects of stigma.
View Insightsby Amy Ellis Nutt
AI Rating: 83
AI Review: This biography follows a trans girl's journey and her family’s transformation. While more focused on gender identity, it provides important context to the broader LGBTQ+ struggle for rights and acceptance.
View Insightsby Abraham Verghese
AI Rating: 88
AI Review: This memoir by a physician highlights the personal stories of rural AIDS patients in 1980s Tennessee. Verghese’s sensitive narrative explores the intersection of medicine, fear, and humanity.
View Insightsby Larry Kramer
AI Rating: 92
AI Review: Based on true events, Kramer’s play dramatizes the AIDS crisis's earliest days in New York City. It’s a passionate and urgent call to action, blending personal heartbreak with political fury.
View Insightsby Timothy Conigrave
AI Rating: 86
AI Review: This poignant memoir explores a long-term relationship between two men in Australia as they encounter love, societal hostility, and ultimately the devastation of AIDS. It’s a deeply personal reflection on love and loss.
View Insightsby Sarah Schulman
AI Rating: 95
AI Review: Oral histories and interviews illuminate the radical actions and inner workings of ACT UP New York, a group pivotal in AIDS advocacy. Schulman’s work is comprehensive and inspiring.
View Insightsby Alysia Abbott
AI Rating: 81
AI Review: A tender memoir about growing up with a single gay father in San Francisco during the 1970s and 80s, and witnessing the effects of the AIDS epidemic firsthand. Abbott’s story explores family, loss, and self-discovery.
View Insightsby Brené Brown
AI Rating: 78
AI Review: Though not about AIDS, Brown’s book is a guide to living authentically and embracing vulnerability, themes echoed in Strub’s memoir. It encourages readers to accept themselves and others.
View Insightsby Cameron Garrett
AI Rating: 77
AI Review: A YA novel about a high school girl living with HIV, navigating stigma, friendship, and first love. It brings fresh perspective to younger generations coping with the disease.
View Insights