”Part analysis and part memoir, Aaron Belkin provides an insider’s guide to the fascinating story of how the effort to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” first changed public opinion and then military policy. A key guide to anyone hoping to understand this amazing moment in American history.”

P.W. Singer
Senior Fellow and Director, 21st Century Defense Initiative
The Brookings Institution 

“Belkin interweaves his own deeply personal story with the history of how “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was overturned making this modern human rights story both informative and entertaining.  His recurring mantra of, “let the facts speak for themselves,” provides an ideal way we would hope all national policy issues would be solved: a primer on how honest scientific research can overcome provincial agendas.  This compelling account forces all Americans to look at the hatred in our dark past, and hopefully learn future lessons of the importance of not merely tolerance, but inclusion.”

Steven M. Samuels, PhD
Professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, US Air Force Academy

“I know Aaron Belkin to be one of America’s most knowledgeable experts on the subject of gays and lesbians in the military. This book clearly reflects that knowledge. It is a superb, detailed, but easy to read, book – one every adult American should read.”

Brigadier General Hugh Aitken
U.S. Marine Corps (ret.)

“Aaron Belkin tells the inside story of how a patient intellectual warrior and his allies overcame bigotry and discrimination among our military and legislative leaders. His descriptions are compelling and his prescription is priceless. This is a must-read for progressives who want to learn the lessons of a successful change agent.”

Major General Dennis Laich
U.S. Army, Retired

The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the policy of the United States Air Force Academy or any other government agency.