Sunday, January 22, 2006

'Self-Made Man'

Book uncovers how men think and act when women aren't around

Several of my blogging friends write frequent posts about relationship issues - differences (and similarities) between women and men. So perhaps some will find interest in a new book by Norah Vincent, titled Self-Made Man: One Woman's Journey Into Manhood and Back Again. Vincent, the Los Angeles Times columnist, goes undercover as a man to learn how the men think and behave when women aren't around.

David Kamp reviews Self-Made Man for the New York Times. He takes what I believe is a cheap shot at the author's personal life. Otherwise, Kamp writes an overall favorable review of the book. Kamp notes:

Self-Made Man turns out not to be what it threatens to be, a men-are-scum diatribe destined for best-seller status in the more militant alternative bookstores of Berkeley and Ann Arbor. Rather, it's a thoughtful, diligent, entertaining piece of first-person investigative journalism.


To read more, click here.

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11 comments:

Kate said...

Wow, Deb, thanks for passing this along. I missed the story about this on one of the newsmagazine shows last week; now I'm sorry I did. I'll be on the lookout for the book, too. I think it was in poor taste for Kamp to malign Vincent's choice of lifestyle, but it goes to show that (apparently) honest writing can win over even the harsh critics.

S A J Shirazi said...

Interesting. And taken.

Fahd Mirza said...

nice post.

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Kate: I think you're right about honest writing. I also think the conversation about this book is just beginning.

Shirazi and Fahd: Thanks for stopping by.

Kate said...

Nora Vincent did an interview this morning on Good Morning America which, though brief, conveyed her sense of purpose in an excellent way. It was very enlightening to listen to her talk about the differences in trying to "pick up" women as a man and as a woman.

Now I'll be on the lookout for the book - not sure if I'll go the Barnes and Noble purchase route or the library route, but it's gonna get read one way or another!

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Kate: Thanks so much for the info.
Of course, the book is also available via Amazon.com. I think this publication is going to sell well. If you read it before I do, and you probably will, you have an open invitation to review the book for us!

Kate said...

MOM! I *always* get stuck with the book reviews!

Seriously, thanks. I've been known to review books a time or two in my writing career. And, if there's something you specifically want reviewed, just get a copy of it to me.

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Kate: Hey, the first time I visited your site, I could tell that you were a good writer. (And you referred me to another good writer.) Don't take my comments as pressure. But I will keep your offer in mind. :-)

Emmanuel said...

You did a good job at writing a review yourself, because you did not give away what we do can find in the book, only what we don't. I would be interested in reading it.

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Emmanuel: Thank you. As always, I appreciate your stopping by.

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

JazeGma2: Glad you had the chance to see the interview. Good points. You're right. Sometimes we never know what goes on beneath the surface.