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Sam Steward moved between culture both high (he was a close friend of Gertrude Stein) and low (he became one of the foremost tattoo artists in the country, well before tattoos became socially acceptable, and authored several volumes of erotic fiction). He also kept detailed diaries and a "Stud File" of sexual partners, including Rudolph Valentino and Thornton Wilder. This highly readable biography gives a fascinating look into both pre-Stonewall gay culture and the mind of a man who above all else remained absolutely true to himself ? no small feat at that time.