Masculinity in the Modern West: Gender, Civilization and the Body
"Forth's ambitious panoramic history of western masculinity is sweepingly broad, yet Forth has a keen eye for the revealing detail. With an analysis as sharp as his style is clear and erudite, Forth's reach never exceeds his grasp. This is a most impressive work!" —Michael Kimmel, Professor of Sociology and editor ofMen and Masculinities"Christopher Forth's survey of masculinity in the West is the first historical synthesis of the rich literature in this field. He puts familiar materials together in surprising new ways and presents readers with some highly original and provocative interpretations that will prove to be important contributions to gender studies and cultural history. The wit and deftness of Forth's style and his well-chosen examples make it a sheer delight to read." —Robert A. Nye, Horning Professor of the Humanities and Professor of History Emeritus, Oregon State University  "Christopher E. Forth's superb synthesis on masculinity in the modern West is a timely and original publication, with the broadest of appeal. It is, however, of specific relevance to historians of medicine and science in society, and will prove an invaluable text in those fields. This is an indispensable and highly engaging book, which will be valued for many years to come." —Sean Brady,Social History of Medicine"A fascinating meditation on the diverse ways that predictions about the collapse of masculinity have been narrated in the past." —Joanna Bourke,Medical History "Forth has produced both a truly successful, and wonderfully well-written, synthesis of the rich literature on modern masculinity, and a probing, gendered recasting of Elias's civilizing process. It provides abundant insights not only into the history of gender, but also the histories of the body, war, sexuality and diet. This breadth, combined with methodological sophistication, deserves to bring this book a truly wide readership." —Chris Otter, The Ohio State University