Straight Acting: Gay Men, Masculinity and Finding True Love [Paperback]

Angelo Pezzote (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2008

Drawing on his years of experience as a gay psychotherapist and advice columnist, Angelo Pezzote offers readers relationship strategies and tips on subjects that include coming out, dating, how to avoid falling for a player, how to maintain a sizzling sex life and how to ditch the macho act to get - and keep - the love they want.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758219431
• ISBN-13: 978-0758219435
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,292,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Very insightful and a must-read for every gay male., October 23, 2009

By 

Timbo8888 "Timbo8888" (Butler, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Straight Acting: Gay Men, Masculinity and Finding True Love (Paperback)

I learned alot about myself and others by reading this book. Great advice copuled with humorous and spot-on observations.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Queer theory lite--and its practical uses, February 24, 2010

By 

James R. Gilligan "overeducated lit. junkie" (Lafayette, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Straight Acting: Gay Men, Masculinity and Finding True Love (Paperback)

Angelo Pezzote targets masculinity--or, more precisely, gay men's alleged preoccupation with living up to society's standards of masculinity--as the crippling force behind many gay men's inability to cultivate healthy romantic relationships. And he has a point, to some extent. Pezzote does a very good job of describing, in fairly clear terms, why the unreasonable standards of masculinity handcuff us into believing that we are not "real men" and prevent us from becoming or finding the "right man." Whether intentional or not, he distills many of the principles of queer theory into his analysis, and he advocates the full expression of all facets of our character in the performance of our identities as gay men. Pezzote has a firm grasp of the issues that confront gay men, and he offers many practical suggestions for overcoming the roadblocks that we face as we seek happiness. This is a great little self-help book, suitable for just about any gay man, from those who are recently out to those who have been out for a while and still can't seem to figure out the puzzle of gay dating (I fit into the latter group). I found myself nodding and exclaiming "YES!" as I read numerous passages, and it felt good to know that I am not the only one who experiences frustration and sadness surrounding the issue of dating and companionship.

But I also found myself seeking answers--and hoping for discussions--that Pezzote neglected to address. For example, he does a very good job of deconstructing masculinity and showing its devastating effects on gay men's self-image. And he also alludes to the idea that masculinity and being gay need not be mutually exclusive categories. But I kept hoping that he would say more about how we can construct and perform gay masculinity, especially since, as he acknowledges, masculinity is what attracts most gay men to other men. I intend to adopt some of his ideas and strategies, and I do hope they work, because they seem to make a great deal of sense. Whatever the outcome, taking steps to feel better about myself certainly couldn't hurt.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Self-Help Book You'll Ever Need, January 25, 2009

By 

Dennis J. Schleicher ""Published Author"" (Glastonbury Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Straight Acting: Gay Men, Masculinity and Finding True Love (Paperback)

Everyone can learn something about self-discovery and courage from "Straight Acting," as this is one of the most complex books to have been written about masculinity, and finding true love. Straight Acting is a book in which virtually every gay man will see himself.

The author Angelo Pezzote has provided us with a thorough and much-needed guide to dealing with the complex issues involved in all aspects of masculinity and homosexuality. This is a book that you could find yourself reading time and time again.

Be Safe-
Dennis Schleicher, support group counselor & best-selling author of; Forbidden Love with a Married Man: E-mail Diaries