As the only child of troubled parents, author John Loomis was isolated from his peers and grew up shy, bookish, and knowing from a very early age that he was "different" in some serious and unacceptable way. Gradually, he made peace with being gay and continued his search for love, leading to many adventures, much happiness, and some heartbreaks.

In this second volume of his memoirs, Loomis continues his life story, describing how his battle with alcoholism and recurring depression made his path more difficult. "Wandering Heart: A Gay Man's Journey "recalls how he became deeply involved with a strikingly handsome and gifted young man-who soon revealed that he was married, a male prostitute, the son of a well-known actress, and a severe heroin addict. This love affair was carried out against the backdrops of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, London, Paris, the French Riviera, Calcutta, Bangkok, and Rio de Janeiro at Carnival time.

Loomis also provides an extensive and personal look into the world of male prostitution. A sometimes tragic and frightening story, "Wandering Heart: A Gay Man's Journey e"xposes some dark and sordid shadows of life and recalls both the desire and the hope that marked his search for love.

John Loomis grew up in a small South Texas town during the last days of the Great Depression and World War II. As an only child, and with disturbed parents, he was isolated from his peers. Growing up shy, bookish, and knowing from a very early age that he was "different" in some unacceptable way, he was very distressed to find out from the high school library that he was gay. There was no one to turn to for help or information. He thought the only other gay person on earth was Andre Gide, the great French writer, but he was too far away to visit. Feeling alone, but not lonely, he went on to college and medical school, and after that did psychiatric training and opened an office in New York City. Gradually, he made peace with being gay and began a search for love, which led to many adventures, disasters, happiness, and heartbreak.

After inheriting the family business, he was torn between it and his medical practice. He developed alcoholism, the family disease, and was also troubled by recurrent depressions. Beginning his recovery from alcoholism in 1977, he has been able to construct a generally happy life.

As the only child of troubled parents, author John Loomis was isolated from his peers and grew up shy, bookish, and knowing from a very early age that he was "different" in some serious and unacceptable way. Gradually, he made peace with being gay and continued his search for love, leading to many adventures, much happiness, and some heartbreaks.

In this second volume of his memoirs, Loomis continues his life story, describing how his battle with alcoholism and recurring depression made his path more difficult. "Wandering Heart: A Gay Man's Journey "recalls how he became deeply involved with a strikingly handsome and gifted young man-who soon revealed that he was married, a male prostitute, the son of a well-known actress, and a severe heroin addict. This love affair was carried out against the backdrops of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, London, Paris, the French Riviera, Calcutta, Bangkok, and Rio de Janeiro at Carnival time.

Loomis also provides an extensive and personal look into the world of male prostitution. A sometimes tragic and frightening story, "Wandering Heart: A Gay Man's Journey e"xposes some dark and sordid shadows of life and recalls both the desire and the hope that marked his search for love.

John Loomis grew up in a small South Texas town during the last days of the Great Depression and World War II. As an only child, and with disturbed parents, he was isolated from his peers. Growing up shy, bookish, and knowing from a very early age that he was "different" in some unacceptable way, he was very distressed to find out from the high school library that he was gay. There was no one to turn to for help or information. He thought the only other gay person on earth was Andre Gide, the great French writer, but he was too far away to visit. Feeling alone, but not lonely, he went on to college and medical school, and after that did psychiatric training and opened an office in New York City. Gradually, he made peace with being gay and began a search for love, which led to many adventures, disasters, happiness, and heartbreak.

After inheriting the family business, he was torn between it and his medical practice. He developed alcoholism, the family disease, and was also troubled by recurrent depressions. Beginning his recovery from alcoholism in 1977, he has been able to construct a generally happy life.