“[A] stimulating and thought-provoking examination of the queer politics of citizenship.” — Jon Binnie , Sexualities
“[Clarke] exhibits an extraordinary talent—perhaps even a gift—for explaining the most complex and difficult concepts in an easily comprehensible manner.” — B. R. Burg , Choice
“[S]mart, theoretically sophisticated. . . . Powerful . . .” — Andrew Elfenbein, Eighteenth-Century Studies
“[S]tunning. . . . enormously compelling. . . .” — Amy Villarejo , GLQ
“The intensifying conflict between sex-radical queers and morally righteous gay citizens has lead to the ruination of contemporary sexual politics. Eric Clarke shows the way through the impasse with his viciously sharp analyses, which display the virtues of theoretical precision and historically informed scholarship. His book will transform how we think about sexuality and citizenship, about visibility, democracy, and the public sphere.” — Douglas Crimp, editor of AIDS: Cultural Analysis/Cultural Activism
“This exceptionally intelligent study makes crucial contributions to ongoing conundrums about the connections between capitalism and gay identity. With remarkable sophistication, Clarke is able to connect the abstractions of Kant’s categorical imperative to the everyday pleasures of watching Ellen come out on TV. A powerful and sure-to-be influential book.” — Ann Cvetkovich, author of Mixed Feelings: Feminism, Mass Culture, and Victorian Sensationalism
"Virtuous Vice is an ambitious, subtle, and revelatory book, establishing Clarke as a major voice in queer theory and in social theory generally. It should be required reading for anyone interested in Habermas or Foucault, or in the complex issues of contemporary sexual politics." — Michael Warner, author of The Trouble With Normal: Sex, Politics and the Ethics of Queer Life