On Brokeback Mountain provides accessible, close, and comparative readings of the story and the film, discussing them in relation to the social history of sexual minority men in America. By analyzing the literary and artistic traditions of the homoerotic pastoral, the popular tradition of the Western, and the tradition of the tragic romantic love story, the book explores the American cultural construction of masculinity, friendship, and sexual relationships between men, and the sources and effects of homophobia.

Chapter 1 Introduction. About the Book Chapter 2 Prologue. March 5, 2006: Reactions to Brokeback Mountain Chapter 3 Chapter 1. "A Companion Where None Had Been Expected": Friendship Chapter 4 Chapter 2. " 'Gun's Goin Off' " Sex Chapter 5 Chapter 3. "The Rushing Cold of the Mountain": Nature Chapter 6 Chapter 4. " 'We Do That in the Wrong Place We'll Be Dead' ": Hatred and Fear Chapter 7 Chapter 5. "Separate and Difficult Lives": Love Chapter 8 Chapter 6. " 'What We Got Now Is Brokeback Mountain. Everything Built on That' ": Memory Chapter 9 Chapter 7. "The Pair Like Two Skins, One Inside the Other, Two in One": Myths of Love