jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely, honest and poignant collection of thoughts from an unexpected source. From what I've experienced of his previous work, I didn't expect Black to have such eloquence and sincerity present in his writing, but I was pleasantly surprised. He shares various musings here mostly associated with the topic of masculinity, and readers truly get a sense of who Black is as a person through what he shares about his past, career and current life as a parent. I'm glad to have taken a chance on this book and found it to be an incredibly gratifying read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title.
evandegraff's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
A good read if you’re looking for an everyday view of what a new world of masculinity could look like. Black does a good job of easily characterizing what it looks like to be a man whose actively working to break those boundaries everyday. All told through the lens of a father being vulnerable to his son.
banjax451's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
4.75
leahlengel's review against another edition
4.0
i’m giving this book a 4/5 because i thought it was a very informative and gave a different perspective on masculinity from a male’s point of view. i also enjoyed the overall format of the book. it flowed nicely. he explains some of the concepts around the term toxic masculinity that i wouldn’t necessarily agree with, but nevertheless was a very good book and would recommend.
scribejack's review against another edition
4.0
I heard about this book on Metaphysical Milkshake and read it because I am a father and more than anything I want to prepare my children for the world because I wasn't prepared.
While I didn't personally get much out of this book because I learned it all the hard way over the course of 30+ years, it was useful seeing it laid out this way. It put concepts and ideas I am familiar with but that always felt abstract together in a concrete and well articulated way.
I feel better suited to talk to my children about growing up than I did before reading the book.
My only criticism is that there wasn't enough practical advice and most of the information is a sociological presentation.
While I didn't personally get much out of this book because I learned it all the hard way over the course of 30+ years, it was useful seeing it laid out this way. It put concepts and ideas I am familiar with but that always felt abstract together in a concrete and well articulated way.
I feel better suited to talk to my children about growing up than I did before reading the book.
My only criticism is that there wasn't enough practical advice and most of the information is a sociological presentation.
danahuff's review against another edition
5.0
This is an important book for our current moment. I found it helpful to understand the messages men receive about how to be “correctly” masculine, and I think we can lay many of our current societal problems at the feet of these dangerous messages. Readers looking for Black’s characteristic humor will find the subtitle accurate: the book is mostly serious, and I really appreciated the vulnerability and honesty of its seriousness. The book serves as a contemplative memoir, a poignant letter of love and advice, and a meditation on our world. I walked away from it feeling that Michael Ian Black is a good husband, father, and most of all, a good man.
My full review is up at my blog.
My full review is up at my blog.
supermarioctopus's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
3.75
Required reading for everyone
readerreborn's review against another edition
4.0
I heard about this book on Metaphysical Milkshake and read it because I am a father and more than anything I want to prepare my children for the world because I wasn't prepared.
While I didn't personally get much out of this book because I learned it all the hard way over the course of 30+ years, it was useful seeing it laid out this way. It put concepts and ideas I am familiar with but that always felt abstract together in a concrete and well articulated way.
I feel better suited to talk to my children about growing up than I did before reading the book.
My only criticism is that there wasn't enough practical advice and most of the information is a sociological presentation.
While I didn't personally get much out of this book because I learned it all the hard way over the course of 30+ years, it was useful seeing it laid out this way. It put concepts and ideas I am familiar with but that always felt abstract together in a concrete and well articulated way.
I feel better suited to talk to my children about growing up than I did before reading the book.
My only criticism is that there wasn't enough practical advice and most of the information is a sociological presentation.