Customer Reviews

What Makes a Man: 22 Writers Imagine the Future

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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This book caught my eye at the bookstore because of its title, and even though it was only available in hardcover I decided I had to have it. I read the initial chapter a few times before actually reading the book fully, and I thought I had an idea of what it would be all about. Fortunately, I was wrong. Parts of this book (chapters by certain authors) are amazing. Others are reiterations of information I had learned elsewhere, reiterations that reminded me of the "standing on your soapbox" image. The chapters that really interested me were the one by Meri Nana-Ama Danquah where she discusses the stereotypical perceptions of "masculinity" and "femininity," the chapter by Michael Moore where he candidly discusses gender roles (and how to escape a room if your wife has set your bed on fire), the chapter by Ruth Bettelheim about the affects of divorce on male children (and how parents should work with their children post-divorce), and Martha Southgate's story of "her girlish boy." Above all what I took from this book was a sense of awe; not only do we not understand that society is creating unhappiness (in both women and men), but we also are buying into it. We keep pushing ourselves to become what it is that someone, somewhere else than where we are, is telling us is "good" and appropriate for our genders. This motion is creating depression, anger, aggression, and general malaise in both women and men. Hopefully more people will read this book, or more books like it, and begin to have an understanding of what is happening, if not do something about it.

Author Rebecca Walker brings us a very interesting collection of essays by a variety of contributors in her work, "What Makes A Man." I knew this work would hold some enticing reading.
Here are a few questions for you. What does it mean to be a male? What exactly is required of our men and is it fair what we demand from them? How do they feel about the role they are made to take? These are some of the questions addressed in this work, and the responses may surprise you.
In these essays you will find heart felt stories and honest raw emotions set before you. Perhaps for the first time you will understand the true heart of a man as he struggles to find his own identity, which is often suppressed by what he feels he should be, but is not. Or longs to be, but is not given the liberty to pursue his hearts desire. Very sad.
I found this work to be very refreshing and certainly made me stop and re-think of the pre-conceived ideas that have been handed down to me concerning the place men should have in our society. The essays kept my interest as I could feel through the words that were penned a true heart cry of the writer for others to understand the turmoil that they were experiencing.
This work is truly one that would benefit all in bringing us more understanding of fears unspoken, goals not able to be achieved and dreams unfulfilled from those who have played the role for so long, men.

An excellent and unique anthology that explores gender, race and masculinity. I am reading this book for the second time in the past 16 months, and I am enjoying it so much that I decided to write a review. I wish I had a copy of this book when I was 16, although Im not sure I would have had the maturity to digest it.

These writers share their thoughts, fears, vulnerabilities and I am a more compassionate, generous, open-minded man for it. Thank you Rebecca Walker.

Makes a very entertaining reading and at the same time makes you think.

Like most collections, this is a very uneven book. Certain essays resonated deeply, while others were hokey re-tellings of childhood events or abstract nonsense.

Still, the good essays gave me an insight into a man's place in contemporary society. It made me realize the effects gender roles have on people. As men, we're expected to be the hunters and climb the corporate ladder. The essay by the stay at home dad was very telling in the reactions he got from others. The first essay, about a husband's gift of a one year sabbatical to wife in order for her to write her novel also showed how marriages can fall apart and then come together.

It's decent reading, but not something I would recommend buying if you're looking for a totally insightful collection about the inner lives of men.

This book presents commentary from a very wide spectrum of writers, of different races and social classes. In fact, I thought the diversity of perspectives presented was one of the book's strongest points. A very timely question, given a very thorough exploration in this book.

I enjoyed this collection of stories and essays from the men featured in this collection. These are stories from the hearts of men. With a nice line up of authors this is worth the money. You will enjoy.
Reviewed by
Dawnny

This being the 1st text I have read written by Rebecca Walker I am swayed to encourage others to read this novel and to purchase from this site. Read Rebecca Walker because she has provided those who may and may not be familiar with Feminism, gender roles and the crippling effects of patriarchy with a contemporary way to view these issues from which we should be freed.