First published 2022
Frederick Joseph, author of the bestselling The Black Friend, turns his attention to masculinity and what it means to be a man in contemporary America. Through a collection of essays, poems, and brief reflections, Joseph investigates the concept of toxic masculinity and how it shapes the experiences of men, especially Black men. He writes about fatherhood and the pressure to "man up." He discusses abuse and the role of therapy. Joseph brings both personal experience and cultural analysis to bear on these topics. His approach combines intelligence with raw honesty, revealing his own vulnerability while showing compassion for others. The book challenges readers to examine both the positive and destructive aspects of traditional manhood and the stereotypes that come with it.
Genres: gender-studies, african-american, social-issues, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, raw, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-analysis, personal-experience
270 pages · Kindle Edition · Harper Perennial
Content warnings: abuse, mental-illness