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7th out of 33 books
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9 voters
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Becoming a Visible Man
by
Jamison Green (Goodreads Author)
Best Book in Transgender Studies, 2005
Winner, Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies (CLAGS), NY
2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist
Written by a leading activist in the transgender movement, "Becoming a Visible Man" is an artful and compelling inquiry into the politics of gender. Jamison Green combines candid autobiography with informed analysis to offer unique insight
...morePaperback, 231 pages
Published
May 4th 2004
by Vanderbilt University Press
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Very intersting and at times very personal account of FTM-history in the US from the late 60s to today.
The first chapter sets the pace: Green challenges a room full of students to think about gender by asking them, how they can be sure what their own gender is.
Although Green's own expirence and lifestory is that of a transsexual that had his transition, but his accounts give at least a glimpse of the variety that is hidden under the umbrella term "transgender". ...more
The first chapter sets the pace: Green challenges a room full of students to think about gender by asking them, how they can be sure what their own gender is.
Although Green's own expirence and lifestory is that of a transsexual that had his transition, but his accounts give at least a glimpse of the variety that is hidden under the umbrella term "transgender". ...more
This book was everything I was afraid it was going to be. It's written in what I could best describe as academic style with limited narrative. I have great respect for the work of Jamison Green for the transgender community (sorry - transexual - the author goes to great lengths to debate his preference for the word transexual over transgender). However, I found this book was almost impossible for me to read. In fact, I found myself skipping whole paragraphs and then having to force myself to go ...more
I finally got around to buying and finishing this book.
Overall I found the book interesting and informative. Green weaves his personal life story as a trans man together with the recent history of trans men, with a focus on the U.S. as that's where he's from.
We're taken through Green's life, relationships and self discovery, as well as his experiences as a man and a trans activist. It allows us to discover the history of trans men, the growing awareness of it alongside Gr...more
Overall I found the book interesting and informative. Green weaves his personal life story as a trans man together with the recent history of trans men, with a focus on the U.S. as that's where he's from.
We're taken through Green's life, relationships and self discovery, as well as his experiences as a man and a trans activist. It allows us to discover the history of trans men, the growing awareness of it alongside Gr...more
If you're transsexual, you might like this.
But there are certain parts that were just really boring or skim-worthy.
Stuff about the movement (so many names!), stuff about the process of sex-change surgery (kinda grossss)
He had a point - treat people well.
But that's such old news. People accept LGBT nowadays. So he was just preaching about stuff that people already know.
However, this may be forgiven because the book's written in 2004.
But there are certain parts that were just really boring or skim-worthy.
Stuff about the movement (so many names!), stuff about the process of sex-change surgery (kinda grossss)
He had a point - treat people well.
But that's such old news. People accept LGBT nowadays. So he was just preaching about stuff that people already know.
However, this may be forgiven because the book's written in 2004.
Less a personal narrative (although Green does tell his own personal story) than a complete treatise on FTM issues, from the personal to the political, Becoming a Visible man is both packed with information and very readable.
The book can be very technical, but it's extremely informative. The personal accounts of transition are touching. Overall, a good read, but the technical parts are sometimes difficult to get through.
Contains some of the best histories of North American (albeit US-centrit) trans history I'd found to date. Jamieson's own story only makes up about a third of the content, leaving plenty of room for analysis of the trans movement as it has evolved over the last 3 decades. I don't agree with all of his conclusions but I have a much better understanding of how he came to his now and I respect them much better. I was pleased that he went beyond the 1st year of transition medical transition mark and...more
A great read that is not just a memoir but deals with the larger aspects of gender performance and reception of a trans* person.
Interesting book about a transgender individual's journey to becoming comfortable in his own skin.
Scooter Monkey
added it
Good book. Great discussion about sexuality, gender, masculinity, and feminity.
This book helped me realize my transgender identity. I owe a lot to this man.
Very interesting and well written account of a transgender man's life and transition process, both psychological and physical. It's fascinating when he is discussing his own life and experience, but gets a bit dry when he goes on and on about the politics and people of the transgender movement in San Francisco and the country in the 1980s and beyond. Too much name dropping and accounts of meetings and conventions.
A well-written, easily accessible book on the often ignored subject of transmen. While primarily a memoir, Becoming a Visible Man spends a sizable portion of the book describing the physical and bureaucratic process of transitioning, adding an educational, textbook-y feel to parts. Nonetheless, Jamison Green's speech on "knowing" one's gender is insightful and should be required reading in health classes everywhere.
well, it was a little rambly slash "let me write my memoir as if i am a martyr" but it was pretty cool to learn about the 60s/70s/80s history of transactivism in san francisco. especially from the perspective of an older person who is not subculturally associated with the scenes i know about. yeah. worth skimming through the slow and repetitive parts to get to the solid history stuff.
the introduction "how do you know?" is great for the classroom - it's a speech jamison green gives to a group of skeptical college kids. some of the kids know he's ftm, and some don't.
why it's teachable:
content: an exploration of how gender is constructed socially and biologically.
style: a speech that makes a compelling "devil's advocate" argument. engaging and funny.
why it's teachable:
content: an exploration of how gender is constructed socially and biologically.
style: a speech that makes a compelling "devil's advocate" argument. engaging and funny.
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selena
rated it
Recommends it for:
people who think they know what being transgendered means
Shelves:
scholarlypursuits
i read this book for an honors credit/paper in human sexuality. i chose transgendered culture because i knew nothing about it and wanted to find out. this book amazed me. personal experiences from someone who had gone through ftm surgery and who could really explain what it felt like and what it did to their life. i admire the courage it took to put this story out there.
This is a book about a relatively difficult-to-find subject, so it didn't have to be well-written, but it was great. Lots of really interesting insights into the trans* community's history and dynamics, as well.
It's not perfect, but I appreciate the honesty and the wisdom from a pioneer of the trans movement. Because of him and other folks that continue to be out and share their stories, I can be out and share mine, no matter how our paths intertwine or diverge. I think he is very eloquent and moving and leaves a lot of room for other trans experiences, which I don't often find.
Jamison Green's book is both an account of his own transition and an overview of the issues that transmen face: hormone and surgery choices, legal hurdles, the question of privacy versus openness, relationships, etc. While it may not have the raw immediacy of some other books on this subject his book more than compensates through its intelligence and lucidity.
JoyfulK
rated it
I have yet to finish this book because the friend who lent it needed it back. But I'll be hunting another copy ASAP. Green's combination of memoir about his construction of his gender identity and analysis of our social construction of gender is not to be missed. And his writing is clear, conversational, and detailed. Recommended.
The first chapter was redeeming; it held the standard speech he gave when guest lecturing at a college class, and he does a great job of making people examine their assumptions about gender and explaining what it means to be trans. The rest of the writing blends together, as if each chapter were the same.
This book and Whipping Girl by Julia Serano both definitely deserve space on your shelf. Both are by people I admire. Both deal with topics surrounding transsexuality and "gender issues" carefully and with aplomb. Neither are cover-to-cover in one sitting reads, so have your bookmark handy.
Why havent I read this book yet. This man has slept on my fuckin couch. I love James Green, I have learned so much from him, and he is the best man to go grab a beer with. He is so my Trans Unkle.
a good intro-type book... mix of memoir and a variety of trans 101 subjects in psychology, politics, sexuality, health, etc.
I'm reading this for my psychology of sexual orientation class; the author is transsexual. Pretty interesting.
Totally mind blowing and illuminating book about a person born a woman becoming a man,
A very real experience and one that resonates with me.
Very informative, non-judgemental and well-written.
Your never too old.
Missed a recognition of diversity within the ftm community
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