16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Passage into Mid-life, September 5, 2005
This review is from: Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife (Paperback)
This is an interesting, provocative, and timely book, and a pleasure to read. It encourages middle-aged gay men to reassess their lives, overcome "the youth fetish, body fascism, and ageism of the gay male world," and to live whole and fruitful lives. While many of the ideas and suggestions are platitudinous pop-psychology, like the ubiquitous solutions of "change of attitude," the author manages to pose many insightful questions that operate even outside his own paradigm of a rebel, anarchist, and activist. Those who fit this paradigm may find even more to gravitate to than I did. Similarly, I'm not sure how most readers will respond to the author's repeated claims of both internalized and externalized homophobic victimization; obviously, queer-bashing continues unabated by the religious right and the likes of Matthew Shepard's murderers, and maybe many of us still retain too many self-censors, some of which are healthy, others not so. If so, Kooden has many ideas to help overcome them. It's a contentious, but central, point, that middle-aged gay men are still fighting to overcome more and more "closets," especially in the fight against ageism.
I agree generally that there is something distinctive and unique about "gay" sensibilities, and we should foster the fulfillment of these distinctive sensibilities. I'd only add "within the bounds of public decency" and "as an individual, not some prototype, determines." He also has the reader do a lot of mental fantasizing and questioning of assumptions, through a kind of internal Socratic dialogue, which I think is a useful re-engineering and self-examination technique. As Socrates demonstrated, life improves with question-asking, not by question-begging. Those who have read my praise for Elliot Cohen's "What Would Aristotle Do?" will find many similar techniques employed here.
The book's eight chapters focus on body-image, hedonism, play/work, relationships, "true self-esteem," creating one's own value system, spirituality, and letting go -- each through the prism of having "come out." Each is stimulating in its own right, and all have something positive to contribute to one's overall self-image as he enters middle age. I found the chapter on spirituality by far the least interesting, only because, for me, at least, there's no "there." But even an atheist can appreciate his comments.
Despite being a pleasure to read, I have three main criticisms: (1) The author suggests a new fantasized model of the ideal gay-male at mid-life instead of the old (no pun intended), asexual, unattractive, lonely, out-of-shape, gay stereotype. I confess, if one must resort to stereotypes, his is infinitely more appealing. But why resort to any stereotype at all? Frankly, I'm tired of monolithic stereotypes of any kind. Besides, isn't it hypocritical to beg for "diversity" on one hand, but insist upon "homogeneity," on the other? (2) Kooden's over-arching theme is that gays should not operate by non-gay rules; instead gays should make their own rules as they go along. But what if everyone universalized this maxim, including militant homophobes? Then what? And while Kooden addresses the pressure to conform, such pressures within the gay community are often greater than those outside it. Beg to differ with gay "orthodoxy," and you'll be called a "Nazi" and have something thrown at you. So much for individuality. (3) Finally, there's no insight from, and in fact several conflicts with, evolutionary psychology, which I found disappointing. For example, EP recognizes "youthfulness" as a biologically-inherited disposition for reproductive or sexual fitness. How does this scientific fact fit his new-gay-middle-aged-man model? It's an issue that people of all sexual orientations must deal with.
The book is extremely well-written with Charles Flowers as co-author. All in all, a very insightful and useful read. It deserves wide readership by all ages.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Men, April 15, 2000
This review is from: Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife (Paperback)
Well written, easy to read, great insite. Certainly, the author has the credentials to share his aging experience with a phsycological insight and real experience to back it up. Lots of good questions and lots of good answers. Spare yourself from having to "learn the lessons" by learning from another gay man's experience. Older is better if you know how to do it. Learn how. I enjoyed the experience of reading this book. EJC
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Bible For Any Gay Man Entering or Within Middle Age, December 12, 2000
This review is from: Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife (Paperback)
I was astonished at how helpful and powerful this book is. Having completed Rik Isensee's "Are You Ready?" which deals with the same subject, I had laid the groundwork for a more advanced examination of the gay man's reaction and strategies for handling middle age. This book is the perfect "next step." While "Are You Ready?" is a great book that can help start the process of positive thinking regarding middle age, "Golden Men" delves into the subject deeper and enlightens the reader into truly eye-opening new ways of understanding what is actually happening as a gay man enters his 40's and 50's and how to cope with the associated pressures and fears in a remarkably positive way. Divided into sections that examine body, mind and spirit, each chapter looks honestly at the effects of both gay and non-gay culture on the average man's thinking and perception, forces that are both natural and societal in origin, and many other factors that add to the complexity of the middle age transition. With that frank, as-it-really-is honesty, which is also presented with compassion and sensitivity, Koonden & Flowers offer alternative ways of thinking and positive exercises that are designed to bring the reader further away from the fear and depression many men in this age group may face. Some observations are downright profound and I would be surprised if anyone in serious need of a "guide" to handling midlife in a rational manner did not come away from reading this book feeling they had more control over their future. No book can completely dispell anyone's fears or concerns about aging, or change our own internal ageism, but this book is unquestionably a powerful tool in reshaping your outlook. Recently on a NYC subway, a man noticed I was reading this book and, with great interest, asked where he could get it. I felt as though there must be a ton of other men feeling that same middle-age panic and I wish I could steer as many as possible toward this book. It truly is providing an important, even essential, service to any gay male entering or living within middle age (and having a hard time of it). Personally, I am extremely grateful to the authors for writing such a valuable work and feel fortunate I at least have an Amazon.com to help spread the word!
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