Masculinity Reconstructed: Changing the Rules of Manhood-- At Work, in Relationships, and in Family Li

Basing his work on a study of 120 American men and drawing on years of experience in dealing with men's issues, Dr. Levant shows men how to change facets of traditional behavior patterns that limit their effectiveness as lovers, husbands, fathers, and friends, while enhancing those parts of the male code which are meaningful and empowering.

Levant doesn't much refute charges that the men's movement is just an overhyped, defensive mechanism, a cry for undeserved sympathy from a bunch of guys whining, "Don't blame me!" But at least, with Kopecky's help, he dresses the thing up in more scientific sounding language. Instead of celebrating drum beating, he vends plenty of men's introspection about their children; for example, he claims--it may surprise some men--that men are all very concerned with shepherding their sons' emotional development so that they'll resemble appropriately masculine models. His thesis seems to be that men need to understand what it means to them to be men and, once they understand this, come to terms with it and rework it into something that works in a contemporary world in which outmoded ideas of masculinity are often unwelcome. Agree with this, you'll be edified by the book; disagree, and you'll still almost certainly be entertained. Either way, this is an important addition to men's studies, provided, of course, that you believe "men's issues" are a legitimate concern for study. Mike Tribby