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Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity
by
Joel Stein
The smudge looked suspiciously penis- like. The doctor confirmed: "That's the baby's penis!" which caused not celebration, but panic. Joel pictured having to go camping and fix a car and use a hammer and throw a football and watch professionals throw footballs and figure out whether to be sad or happy about the results of said football throwing.
So begins his quest to conf...more
So begins his quest to conf...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
May 15th 2012
by Grand Central Publishing
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Great book. I heard a book program on Wisconsin Public Radio with the author, Joel Stein. Based on the interview and Mr. Stein's speaking/personality, I made sure to pick this up.
This isn't a deep, research-driven exploration of what it means to "be a man." Instead, it is a deeply personal account of one man's soul-searching as he prepares for (and learns from) the birth of his first child, a son. It really struck a chord within me, as I am a relatively new father. I, too, have contemplated what...more
This isn't a deep, research-driven exploration of what it means to "be a man." Instead, it is a deeply personal account of one man's soul-searching as he prepares for (and learns from) the birth of his first child, a son. It really struck a chord within me, as I am a relatively new father. I, too, have contemplated what...more
I have long been a sort of casual fan of Joel Stein, as in whenever I would come across his articles/visage I would be reminded that I thought he was both funny and cute. But I never went on a proper Joel Stein search in a way where I would reliably realize, oh he writes a weekly column for X and then follow that, or find him on fB or twitter or whatever. But you get the point.
Anyhow, heard/saw somewhere he had a book out, so I put it on my list and finally just downloaded the audio and was remi...more
Anyhow, heard/saw somewhere he had a book out, so I put it on my list and finally just downloaded the audio and was remi...more
I generally have mixed feelings about the current crop of experiential reporting books – like AJ Jacobs living bibilically, inspired by the George Plimpton classics. Sometimes, they just take the conceit so literally that it’s no fun any more. I felt like this one was going to end up that way as well, but a funny thing happened – the author discovered that his premise was flawed and discovered many new things about being a man. Some of the chapters were real stunners too – having a catch with Sh...more
Man Made is an awesome audio book. Joel Stein not only wrote this book, he also narrates it. I love how his inflection mimics the way a friend would talk to me about his various misadventures. I am familiar with Stein's writing and his sense of humor from his "Awesome Column" in Time magazine, which is what drew me to this book.
The premise of the book is that Stein is about to have a son and he panics at his lack of manlihood. How will he teach his son to be a man when Stein spent his college ye...more
The premise of the book is that Stein is about to have a son and he panics at his lack of manlihood. How will he teach his son to be a man when Stein spent his college ye...more
Joel Stein spent a year or so trying to figure out something that seems to have come naturally to generations before ours (he's my contemporary): He's trying to figure out what it means to be a man, and how to go about becoming one. I can relate, because although I'm 41-years-old, a mother, and an ex-wife, I'm still not sure what it means to be an adult American woman. I'm also not sure of what I need to teach my son so he'll grow up to be an effective man.
Is manhood about what you are? What you...more
Is manhood about what you are? What you...more
FUNNY! 4.5 stars. I have been a fan of Joel Stein's since he wrote for Entertainment Weekly and now Time. He is a definite metro-sexual. When he finds out he and his wife are having a son, he decides he needs to "man up." So he tries man things he's never done before; camping, home repairs, driving fast cars, fire fighting, hunting, joining the military, owning a dog, and finally his ultimate fear - getting punched in the face. Most interesting was that each of the men he met told him being a ma...more
I knew well in advance that I would enjoy this book, mostly because I, in my younger years, had sought my own quest for masculinity.
I will not give any spoilers, because this book needs to be read, but I will encourage readers my own way:
First, women, if your man has confidence issues, suggest he read this. It will help. If he doesn't, but has something I would call "tough-man syndrome", suggest he read this; it may make him re-think what being a man is all about. Read it yourself first, and t...more
I will not give any spoilers, because this book needs to be read, but I will encourage readers my own way:
First, women, if your man has confidence issues, suggest he read this. It will help. If he doesn't, but has something I would call "tough-man syndrome", suggest he read this; it may make him re-think what being a man is all about. Read it yourself first, and t...more
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At times insightful and thought-provoking this book was also hilarious and contained some interesting "man" situations. While I am not a man I enjoyed listening to Stein's journey to manhood for the sake of his young son and was entertained and enlightened by the different ways that men can be seen and though of as MEN. I was pleased that the author read his own book to give the inflection and significance behind all of this trials and tribulations on his journey to becoming a "man." Between lea...more
They say expectations are premeditated resentment. I expect funny from Joel Stein. But I don't resent him for writing, Man Made: a Stupid Quest for Masculinity.
He had me from the introduction. And he kept my attention all the way until the end. Basically, Joel freaks out when he finds out that he and his wife are expecting a boy. He has no idea what to do with a boy. Joel doesn't like sports, but he likes musicals...hence the quest for masculinity. The quest takes him on a camping trip with Boys...more
He had me from the introduction. And he kept my attention all the way until the end. Basically, Joel freaks out when he finds out that he and his wife are expecting a boy. He has no idea what to do with a boy. Joel doesn't like sports, but he likes musicals...hence the quest for masculinity. The quest takes him on a camping trip with Boys...more
I found this book amusing as I could relate to the author's sense of being out of touch with traditional masculine pursuits like hunting, camping, fixing things around the house, coveting fast muscle cars, etc. Along the way he attempts to discover how to be a man at age 40 by joining the boy scouts, training with the Marines and Army, and hanging out with other manly types like firemen.
His prose is candid, self-deprecating, and often very funny. I highlighted many more passages in this book tha...more
His prose is candid, self-deprecating, and often very funny. I highlighted many more passages in this book tha...more
I really liked Joel Stein's quest for masculinity. I'm not sure many men would go on this journey or even think it important for them to be 'more manly'. My favorite chapters are when he went camping with the boy scouts (and the argument about brushing one's teeth), him learning to be a firefighter and of course his few days at boot camp. It gave me an insight not just in to Joel's personality and how he really didn't know a lot about these 'manly' ventures, but it gave me an insight into them a...more
I have long been a fan of "immersion journalism", and as the father of a newborn boy I understand the fear of not being "man enough"; So, I am a little surprised that I did not love this more. Mr. Stein's attempts to experience more of the manly art- Fast cars, fighting, soldiering, fighting fires, mixed martial arts.. are all good reads. But, it just does not sustain itself. The book felt long, and in some parts the jokes did not work. I would recommend this, but go to your local library, or wa...more
Joel Stein took on the quest that I have contemplated myself since my son was born 6 years ago. There were actually times when I felt like he had somehow gotten inside my head and found all of my insecurities and decided to go test them. I don't know if this is a challenge that all new fathers face but the lack of confidence in our manliness is definitely something that both Joel and I have in common.
From the moment I read the first paragraph, I knew I was going to love this book. I laughed, cr...more
From the moment I read the first paragraph, I knew I was going to love this book. I laughed, cr...more
Exponentially better--funnier and more touching--than I expected. Stein undermines stereotypes about American men as he rides with L.A. firefighters, goes turkey hunting in Vermont, joins a Chicago day-trading firm, drives a Lamborghini around Beverly Hills, helps his father-in-law take the roof off a house, etc.
"Real men" aren't the obnoxious, hyper-competitive loudmouths I'd expected him to be spending time with. Over and over Stein meets "real men" who have a calm self-confidence, a comfort...more
"Real men" aren't the obnoxious, hyper-competitive loudmouths I'd expected him to be spending time with. Over and over Stein meets "real men" who have a calm self-confidence, a comfort...more
Fans of A. J. Jacobs and Matt Mikalatos, rejoice! When journalist Joel Stein (Los Angeles Times, TIME) found out he and his wife were having a boy, he had a massive panic attack. Joe, it turns out, didn’t consider himself much of a man. The thought of trying to raise a boy terrified him. So he set out on a quest to become more masculine… whatever that means.
I have no idea how women keep score of who is doing best, but I get the feeling it’s complicated and involves shoes and delivering complimen...more
I have no idea how women keep score of who is doing best, but I get the feeling it’s complicated and involves shoes and delivering complimen...more
Joel Stein's book is a humorous recounting of his quest to become a masculine man by taking on in small trials boy-scouting, hunting, mixed martial arts, and the Army and Marines among other adventures. In a book like this it either works or it doesn't depending on how funny you find it. It's not going to be about the writing or the style. Maybe about how interesting you find the subject matter too, but basically it's successful only if you find it funny. It's completely subjective. Well I found...more
Time columnist Joel Stein is so worried he is too wimpy to be proper father figure to his baby son that he embarks on a mission to man up. Joining the boy scouts, the army, the fire brigade, driving a sports car and batting with a pro to discover that deep inside every man is a touchy feely someone. Not only does Joel man up a bit, but the reader gets an insight into the life and minds of a slice of the American man.
This book was much better than I expected it to be. I've read a lot of Joel Stein's columns, and he always seemed kind of snide and sarcastic, but here, in a longer format, he is able to come across as I bet he really is---a caring father, a thoughtful person and extremely, extremely funny. There is also some very good takes on what it means to be a man, and a father. I enjoyed every minute of this read.
Hysterical for any women whose with a guy who loves his kids but is a little freaked out by the whole dad thing, doesn't get sports but knows it's a " manly" thing he probably should try to be into. And basically is just trying to figure stuff out. Joel Stein is a great columnist and author and I laugh out loud when I read him. A nice break from getting too stuck on all the seriousness there is in life.
At first I was a little Leary of this book thinking, "hey Joel Stein just ripped off A.J. Jacob's idea for a book." And I guess he kind of does, but he does a good job of it. This book has the funniest description of turkey hunting I have ever read (ok it's the only one I've read but it was still really funny). Now I know what my dad does in the woods. I'm not sure that he's more of a man at the end, but I did enjoy reading about the journey.
This book was super funny, and I especially liked the part where he decides to be a soldier for a few days, first with the Marines and then with the Army (gave me an interesting perspective on the military for sure). He had some interesting adventures trying to become more "masculine", but throughout the book I kept thinking, "Wow, I'm way manlier than this guy, and I don't even have a Y chromosome."
ok I was holding some hope for the author to be more of a man then he really was. but after a fair bit of the way it I realized who the author reminded me of. the fox tv show Titus, the character of Tommy a normal guy who hasn't had enough experiences to deal with life when it strikes. it was awkward reading tell I realized exactly who the author really was. his wife had more balls then he did.
Some fun moments but totally lacking in any real insight. He admits it's stupid and that he is what he is--a whiny overpriviledged New Yorker. He calls himself a pussy but a pussy can push out a baby and take a sexual pounding, that word needs to have more cred. At the end he also mentions you don't see many women in jail (which is stupid beyond belief) and that you don't see many women having barfights "but if you did it would be awesome" guess he just needs to get out more
Totally hilarious! I laughed a lot and marveled at how some people can be so good at writing funny. I think writing funny is a precious and rare skill. The only reason I gave it three stars is because I am a woman and I hated the way he characterized his wife. And then did not acknowledge or thank her in the notes at the end, despite thanking everyone else. Still hilarious.
I've got a soft spot for wry humor, and this guy delivers in spades. The book chronicles the author's attempts to become more manly so he can guide his newborn son. Some of the prose is a bit sappy, but overall it's quite Laugh Out Loud - although I'm left wondering how exactly he got some of these people to actually sponsor the experiences he seeks.
Kind of mixed - I generally love books like this and in places it was definitely laugh out loud funny, but overall not particularly enlightening. Most interesting were the boot camp and Lamborghini chapters. Funnily enough as I was reading this I was thinking "He's no A.J. Jacobs, and he says as much himself in the afterword.
Loved the book. Joel Stein is a writer for Time Magazine, and the book is mostly a memoir of his quest to find his inner "man" to provide his new son, Laszlow with a more masculine role model. He volunteers for a fire department, goes hunting for the first time, gets in the MMA ring with fighter Randy Couture. All ensues hilarity.
I can't recommend this book, even though I liked it a lot. If he could have published this in a 'G' version, or even 'PG', I would give it 5 stars. It was hilarious, but I really could have done without the gratuitous swearing and talk of pornography. Too bad his new-found manly sensitivity couldn't stand up for decency.
The aurthor discovers his wife is going to have a boy and he fears he is not manly enough to raise a boy. He sets out to do a number of things he feels are manly. He goes camping with boy scouts, rides with the LAFD, spend several days in Marine and Army bootcamp and gets beat up by Randy Couture. Very funny book I laughted out loud several times. Whether you are manly or not you will apreciate this book.
I've been crushing hard on memoirs lately. And I'm not sure why I've been reading books written by funny, sharp,self-deprecating men, but I have. Here's another one...
p.s. I chose this book because Andy Borowitz is somehow connected to Joel Klein, and I'd read anything for/because of Andy Borowitz. I crush hard on him, too.
If you want to really laugh out loud (as opposed to that fake LOL stuff), read Klein's chapter on gets in the ring for an eternal 5 minutes with UFC master Randy Couture. Perf...more
p.s. I chose this book because Andy Borowitz is somehow connected to Joel Klein, and I'd read anything for/because of Andy Borowitz. I crush hard on him, too.
If you want to really laugh out loud (as opposed to that fake LOL stuff), read Klein's chapter on gets in the ring for an eternal 5 minutes with UFC master Randy Couture. Perf...more
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Joel Stein grew up in Edison, N.J., went to Stanford, and in 1997, became a staff writer for Time magazine. In 1998, he began writing his sophomoric humor column which now appears on the back page of the magazine every week. He also writes many other articles for Time, and has contributed to the New Yorker, GQ, Esquire, Details, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Wired, Real Simple, Sunset, Pl...more
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“To defend my fear of sudden change, I chose to believe that life was incremental, that the tiny decisions you make every day determine your fate, that your job is to captain an enormous ship subtly into ever-clearer waters. But that’s not how it works at all. Life occurs in moments. You get into college. You propose. You get the job. You get cancer. You get fired. She leaves you...Because I was born in a stable country at a stable time, I falsely extrapolated that change is incremental. But if you zoom out just a little bit, you see that life is soccer, not basketball. It’s revolution, invention, war. It’s big bangs, exploding stars, asteroids killing the dinosaurs. Which means that all the action is in the risk taking, whether I want it to be or not.”
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“Firefighter is one of the few jobs kind enough to warn me away by containing two words I'm not interested in, unlike the deceptive bookkeeper.”
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Jun 13, 2012 06:29pm