Nicholson, founder and executive director of Servicemembers United, provides an insider’s account of the road to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law prohibiting the open service of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender military members. Uniquely qualified to describe the process of DADT repeal, Nicholson was the only named plaintiff in the lawsuit that ordered the policy overturned and was personally present at many key events. His account is a straightforward, frank description of how issue politics is done in Washington, describing the successes as well as the strategy disagreements and in-fighting among various progressive advocacy groups. Because of his position in the movement opposing DADT, Nicholson is able to offer commentary on a range of incidents: being personally forced out of the army by the DADT policy; meeting and persuading former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. John Shalikashvili, of the cause’s benefits to cultural progress and military readiness; leading and speaking at rallies; and coordinating directly with the White House. Nicholson opens a window on the world of issue advocacy politics, providing keen insight into a realm of political operations that generally occurs out of the public view while offering a working model of a successful movement. Agent: John Sternfeld, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (Oct.)
