The History of Men: Essays on the History of American and British Masculinities

Description

The History of Men: Essays on the History of American and British Masculinities by Michael S. Kimmel offers a groundbreaking collection of essays that trace the evolution of masculine identities and ideals in the United States and Britain from the 18th century to the modern day. Kimmel, a leading scholar in masculinity studies, examines how the concept of masculinity has been historically constructed and continually reshaped by social, economic, and political forces. The book challenges the notion of a singular, unchanging model of manhood, instead revealing multiple and often conflicting masculinities that reflect race, class, and sexuality. Kimmel discusses pivotal themes such as the rise of the self-made man in 19th-century America, the impact of industrialization on male identity, the anxieties surrounding masculinity during wartime, and the influence of feminism and LGBTQ+ movements on redefining male roles. Through detailed historical analysis, he demonstrates how societal expectations about what it means to be a man have both empowered and restricted men, often aligning masculinity with power, dominance, and control, yet also creating spaces of vulnerability and crisis. The History of Men is a compelling examination of how masculinities are socially constructed and historically situated, offering critical insight into the complexities of gender relations in Western history.