Boys Will Be Men: Masculinity in Troubled Times [Hardcover]

Richard A. Hawley (Author), Ron Powers (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1993

Drawing on examples from the historical and cultural record—from King David to The Catcher in the Rye's Holden Caulfield—this book offers a compelling examination of the heroic and tragic elements of male experience to define the nature of masculinity in the modern world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the forest of books on the men's movement and male psychology, this unconventional look at the male experience stands tall. Setting aside prevailing concepts that men must conform either to the old-fashioned "macho" mold or to today's image of the sensitive "new man," Hawley ( The Headmaster's Papers ) urges men to search their boyhoods for their masculine being. He illustrates the heroic and tragic aspects of maleness with the tales of Percival, David, Hamlet and other figures from myth and history. But the book's greatest impact rises from the engaging stories of boys Hawley has taught. Classified as funny, helpless, "unworldly," evil or inspiring, these youngsters do not fit the usual notions of manhood. The author concludes by elaborating on the Jungian precept that men should embrace both the dreaming spirit of boyhood ( puer ) and the wisdom of old-age ( senex ). In quiet, direct prose and with great compassion, Hawley puts forth a compelling view of what it can mean to be a man.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Richard A. Hawley is the author of The Headmaster's Papers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Paul S. Eriksson (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083971193X
• ISBN-13: 978-0839711933
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #776,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air for a change, December 25, 2000

By 

P. Smith "ps" (wyoming) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boys Will Be Men: Masculinity In Troubled Times (Audio Cassette)

To those who think that Robert Bly had something going, but somehow got it all wrong; to those who have trouble getting in touch with their, "feminine side" but are not about to degenerate into redneck imbecility; and to those who just like a good story that will evoke many memories, this book is a pleasant surprise. Told from the point of view of a philosophy teacher at an all boys' prep school, it makes telling points, which are both politically incorrect and thoughtful.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If you can get through the first chapters, it does actually get somewhat better..., December 20, 2005

By 

Dream Dance Farm "S. E. D." - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boys Will Be Men: Masculinity in Troubled Times (Paperback)

The stories told in the chapter, "Actual Boys" are well-written and interesting; however, the beginning chapters are, in my opinion, useless. The author switches from topic to topic, introducing them, but giving no details or drawing any conclusion. He never brings them back up so one ends up wondering what the point really was in introducing them. He says that other's male ideas are wrong, but never states his own. If you get through these chapters you will be rewarded with nice stories. My advice: skip the substandard introduction and go right to the stories.