All the Young Men: A Memoir of Love, AIDS, and Chosen Family in the American South by Ruth Coker Burks

“The care she gave HIV-positive gay men… helped them live and die with dignity… This book will make you love her as much as I do.”
– President Bill Clinton

In this profoundly moving memoir, Ruth Coker Burks shares her firsthand story of compassion and courage in the heart of the AIDS crisis in 1980s Arkansas.

After a chance encounter in a hospital, Ruth becomes a lifeline for young gay men shunned by their own families and the healthcare system. With unflinching honesty and warmth, she recounts finding jobs, housing, and even funeral homes for those in need—often in the shadows of discrimination.

• Touching stories of love, loss, and resilience in the American South
• Explores stigma, hope, and the creation of chosen family
• Praised for its humanity, wit, and unforgettable storytelling

Recommended for: readers who appreciate real-life memoirs, LGBTQ+ history, and stories of courage.

Book Details

Title:

All the Young Men: A Memoir of Love, AIDS, and Chosen Family in the American South

Author:

Ruth Coker Burks, Kevin Carr O'Leary

Narrator:

Ruth Coker Burks

Publisher:

Audible Studios

Format:

Audible Audiobook, eBook, Paperback, Hardcover

Language:

English

Length:

Approx. 10 hours (audiobook), 368 pages (print edition)

Category:

Memoir, LGBTQ+ history, American South, AIDS crisis

Features:

Editors’ Pick (Best History), moving narration, true story of courage and compassion

Country:

United States