The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love

Having written acclaimed books on everything from an author's life to feminist theory, bell hooks has been called one of our nation's leading public intellectuals by The Atlantic Monthly and named one of Utne Reader's "100 Visionaries Who Could Change Your Life." Created in response to her in-depth discussions with men who were inspired by her trilogy (All About Love, Salvation, and Communion), The Will to Change challenges men to reclaim the sensitivity and love that today's embattled masculinity has forsaken.

With her trademark candor and fierce intelligence, hooks answers the most common concerns of men, from fears of intimacy to the loss of their patriarchal place in society. Believing that men can find the way to spiritual unity by getting back in touch with emotional openness, she offers inspiring and accessible advice on self-liberation for men that begins with the permission to be vulnerable. The result is a book that can help men to feel, to need, and to desire openly — qualities that will allow them to thrive as they never have before, and to become equal partners in their intimate relationships.

"[A] fierce, quirky denunciation of patriarchy and a clarion call to the uncommitted to align themselves with visionary radical feminism." Publishers Weekly

Everyone needs to love and be loved — even men. But to know love, men must be able to look at the ways that patriarchal culture keeps them from knowing themselves, from being in touch with their feelings, from loving. In The Will to Change, bell hooks gets to the heart of the matter and shows men how to express the emotions that are a fundamental part of who they are — whatever their age, marital status, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

With trademark candor and fierce intelligence, hooks addresses the most common concerns of men, such as fear of intimacy and loss of their patriarchal place in society, in new and challenging ways. She believes men can find the way to spiritual unity by getting back in touch with the emotionally open part of themselves — and lay claim to the rich and rewarding inner lives that have historically been the exclusive province of women. A brave and astonishing work, The Will to Change is designed to help men reclaim the best part of themselves.

Everyone needs to love and be loved — even men. But to know love, men must be able to look at the ways that patriarchal culture keeps them from knowing themselves, from being in touch with their feelings, from loving. In The Will to Change, bell hooks gets to the heart of the matter and shows men how to express the emotions that are a fundamental part of who they are — whatever their age, marital status, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

With trademark candor and fierce intelligence, hooks addresses the most common concerns of men, such as fear of intimacy and loss of their patriarchal place in society, in new and challenging ways. She believes men can find the way to spiritual unity by getting back in touch with the emotionally open part of themselves — and lay claim to the rich and rewarding inner lives that have historically been the exclusive province of women. A brave and astonishing work, The Will to Change is designed to help men reclaim the best part of themselves.

bell hooks is a cultural critic, a feminist theorist, and the renowned author of more than twenty books. A charismatic speaker, she divides her time between teaching, writing, and lecturing around the world. She lives in Kentucky and New York City.

Contents

Preface: About Men

1 Wanted: Men Who Love

2 Understanding Patriarchy

3 Being a Boy

4 Stopping Male Violence

5 Male Sexual Being

6 Work: What's Love Got to Do with It?

7 Feminist Manhood

8 Popular Culture: Media Masculinity

9 Healing Male Spirit

10 Reclaiming Male Integrity

11 Loving Men