Masculinity in the Modern West: Gender, Civilization and the Body

What does it mean to be a man? To be manly? How has this changed throughout history? This text examines the manly stereotype, which stresses courage and athletic comportment, which from the 18th century onwards became representative of normative modern society.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Civilization and its Malcontents PART I: MAKING AND UNMAKING THE GENTLEMAN Four Faces of Civilization, c.1530-1750 Balancing Acts: The Paradox of the Gentleman PART II: MALE BODIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES The Armor of Health and the Diseases of Civilization A Diet of Pleasures? The Incorporation of Manhood Building Bodies: Violence, Pain and the Nation PART III: THE TWENTIETH CENTURY AND BEYOND Modern Primitives: Manhood and Metamorphosis around 1900 Men of Steel: Technologies of the Male Body The Last Men? Consuming Manhood since 1945 Conclusion: The Return of the Repressed

About the Author :
CHRISTOPHER E. FORTH is the Howard Professor of Humanities& Western Civilization at the University of Kansas. His books include Zarathustra in Paris: The Nietzsche Vogue in France, 1891-1918, The Dreyfus Affair and the Crisis of French Manhood, and (co-edited with Bertrand Taithe) French Masculinities: History, Politics and Culture.

Review :
'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 of Men 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