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Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood
Inspired by the award-winning poet and actor’s acclaimed one-man play, a powerful coming-of-age memoir that redefines masculinity for the twenty-first-century male.
Award-winning poet, actor, and writer Carlos Andrés Gómez is a supremely gifted storyteller with a captivating voice whose power resonates equally on the live stage and on the page. In one of his most moving spo...more
Award-winning poet, actor, and writer Carlos Andrés Gómez is a supremely gifted storyteller with a captivating voice whose power resonates equally on the live stage and on the page. In one of his most moving spo...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
September 27th 2012
by Gotham
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The first time I even heard Carlos's name was when I heard a girl perform one of his poems for school. The poem, What is Genocide, is in the book. A little while later I looked him up on YouTube and his performance was shocking in the good way. How he's so passionate and confident, in one of his performances I swear he was close to tears. When you hear his poems it's almost, I think unsettling would be a good word. Mainly because he shines a light on things that some people prefer not to look ou...more
A very entertaining memoir! Despite the title, that is really what this book was, in my opinion. As a woman, I've been pretty curious about the "male perspective." I knew it had to be more than the stereotypical image of a man that society paints. Anyway, in between is a usually emotional poem that that sets the mood for the next chapter. This novel is written in first person and details the different chapters in Gomez's life.
I really liked how honest Gomez was. He didn't gloss over his personal...more
I really liked how honest Gomez was. He didn't gloss over his personal...more
This book is not meant to have all of the answers and it doesn't need to. What it does is tell one man's journey of grappling with the confines of masculinity. With a candidness and vulnerability, Gómez takes us through his ups and downs, his victories and his mistakes. This is a real journey -- one that isn't claiming to be pretty or simple but raw and complex. Not being the best version of oneself is something we can all relate to and Gómez offers up his story and missteps for us to examine an...more
Carlos Andres Gomez has clearly had some interesting experiences that could have been compiled into an informative and useful narrative and I'm pretty sure that's what he was trying to do with Man Up. Unfortunately, it wasn't successful for me.
Mr. Gomez spends much of the book detailing the ways in which he used to be an asshole, used to be caught up in gender roles, and used to be completely self-centered. It seems he's trying to tell you where he came from and share the erroneous worldviews he...more
Mr. Gomez spends much of the book detailing the ways in which he used to be an asshole, used to be caught up in gender roles, and used to be completely self-centered. It seems he's trying to tell you where he came from and share the erroneous worldviews he...more
I just saw Gomez at Busboys and Poets on Wed. He was touring with this book, telling stories from it, performing a few related poems (he's a spoken work/slam poet). I can't wait to read it. It gave me great hope to hear "regular folks" using phrases like "counter-narrative" and "deconstructing gender" correctly and for bettering of their lives!!
He's honest, and funny, and totally serious. Most of the book is about where he fails, where he finds new places to grow.
We need more of that view of fa...more
He's honest, and funny, and totally serious. Most of the book is about where he fails, where he finds new places to grow.
We need more of that view of fa...more
I was a bit confused by this book. At first, it simply seemed like it would be a book detailing how men are nowadays, why this is, what influences it, and how to "man up" beyond being the tough jock who needs to solve everything with his fists. But, instead it was, in material, more like a memoir: Carlos talks about his story and occasionally tries to apply it to all men- all the ridiculous code words- "alright dude, catch you later man" that they use constantly in conversations as walls and and...more
Inspirational, insightful, intense, and imperative.
Even as a female, Man Up, was a profound experience. It gave a deep look into the social expectations and consequences as well as the truth behind what it means to "be a man." Carlos' experiences gave such meaning and insight into how destructive the strict gender roles can have on both men and women.
Working as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, this book gives an imperative look into the other side of the story. As...more
Even as a female, Man Up, was a profound experience. It gave a deep look into the social expectations and consequences as well as the truth behind what it means to "be a man." Carlos' experiences gave such meaning and insight into how destructive the strict gender roles can have on both men and women.
Working as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, this book gives an imperative look into the other side of the story. As...more
Sep 28, 2012
Jessica
added it
Carlos Andrés Gómez wants men to stop acting like Superman.
In his memoir, Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood (Gotham), the spoken word poet uses his own personal experiences to show how men should be open to expressing their personal emotions, including crying and asking for help and forgiveness. As he writes:
“I was taught to wipe my tears and steady my expression as a kid. Don’t talk about what’s rumbling inside of your chest. Stay stoic and quiet. It’s part of the unspoken male code....more
In his memoir, Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood (Gotham), the spoken word poet uses his own personal experiences to show how men should be open to expressing their personal emotions, including crying and asking for help and forgiveness. As he writes:
“I was taught to wipe my tears and steady my expression as a kid. Don’t talk about what’s rumbling inside of your chest. Stay stoic and quiet. It’s part of the unspoken male code....more
Written about the crisis of masculinity and how we are raised to be detached and stoic in lieu of authentic and connected. It was a beautiful book. Gomez rips himself open to share and authentically explore his evolution into authentic manhood. It took me years to realize I could define for myself what it meant to be a man. Gomez has given shape and a voice to what I've struggled with for years. A beautiful writer and a brutally honest self evaluation. Just thought I'd share.
I really enjoyed this book but at times hated the author for his actions when he was younger. Gomez looks honestly at his life, his actions, and the consequences (which is one of the things I loved about this book). He doesn't hold back on what he did or how it affected him and others and he tries to show readers how to change. While I think many people can learn from and relate to this book, you have to be in the right point in your life (very much a case of going in one ear and out the other).
Honest look at his life as a Hispanic male. Interesting viewpoints about what it means to be a man and how society interprets male behavior. I enjoyed his stories and especially his poems.
I thought this was about men realizing they need to MAN UP. It is a story about Carlos coming out and admitting that he is gay.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.
This book was "ok" in my eyes.
This book was "ok" in my eyes.
The most brilliant, insightful book I have read by a man (thus far).
Really did not like this book seemed like a extremly slow read
May 17, 2013
Zimri
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Hailed as a “truth-telling visionary” by Brass Magazine and a “lyrical prophet” by the Caymanian Compass, CARLOS ANDRÉS GÓMEZ has been dubbed "a leading voice at the forefront of the oral poetry movement" (The Punch). A former social worker in Harlem and the south Bronx and public school teacher in Philadelphia and Manhattan, Gómez has performed at over 200 colleges and universities and toured acr...more
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