This work dissects the lives of two extraordinary men and one remarkable woman who defied the sexual prejudices of their age and lived by their own rules. It tells the rags-to-riches story of Fred Barnes, a singer, dancer, comedian and scourge of the military; Naomi Jacob, a terrible but prolific novelist, broadcaster and cross-dresser; and Arthur Marshall, wit, television personality and "portly sunbeam". Paul Bailey describes gay life when it was still illegal, and how he became fascinated by these three characters, all gay in more senses than one.