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A review by numerous_bees
The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
A good, if dated, introduction to the problems patriarchal societies cause men. Other reviewers have suggested that hooks' compassion towards men excuses male violence, but I think this is a book directed at men who need help identifying the source of their suffering and reassurance that making a change that sets them at odds with the world will be worth it.
The author paints an attractive picture of a supportive and authentic masculinity and her criticism towards feminists who actively exclude men from the work of reimaginging a non-patriarchal society is an effort to put to bed the notion that feminism and man-hating are inextricably interwoven.
I think this is a good introduction to feminism for men, and a call for men to start the work of liberating ourselves from a system that sets us up to fail - though it would have benefited from a bibliography to aid with further reading.
The author paints an attractive picture of a supportive and authentic masculinity and her criticism towards feminists who actively exclude men from the work of reimaginging a non-patriarchal society is an effort to put to bed the notion that feminism and man-hating are inextricably interwoven.
I think this is a good introduction to feminism for men, and a call for men to start the work of liberating ourselves from a system that sets us up to fail - though it would have benefited from a bibliography to aid with further reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence