Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity (Perigee)

There seems to be a big generational gap that makes this book no longer as useful as it might have been. For instance, the father's of the WW2 era are a big study for the author, as his dad was one. However, much more is known now about PTSD (a.k.a. shellshock) and how that manifests in people. What was once a character trait of that generation is now understood as a condition caused by war, head traumas, or stress.The author also seems to call back to film every other page. That is why I call this book pop science. Film study can inform about culture, but generally are not a good substitution for real world experience or studies, something that this author should have, yet he falls back on dissecting Kramer v Kramer instead of using that space to reflect on his clinical studies.Additionally, many claims the author makes are so broad and contradictory that it's hard to take him seriously. As a child of an abusive home, I did not identify with anything that was said in this book. I would recommend reading Alice Miller if you want more insight into how broken homes affect children.Lastly, at one point in the book, the author describes statutory rape as sex between a "boy" and "a compassionate older woman who feels gratified when she kissed tadpoles and turns them into princes." Absolutely disgusting. Avoid this book/author.

I'm still reading this book, and liking it very much. I only gave it four stars, because the book was published in 1993, the subject could use some fine tuning. But there's nothing really wrong with it as is. The information is good and useful. This book came highly recommend to me,and I'll stand by that.

Having read this book several times myself, i highly recommend it. I have purchased this book several times to gift to friends and family. The book is well written and it is a very clear in outlining the importance of fathers in our lives. Not only would this book be helpful to males but i think it would also help women, especially single mothers, in understanding the important not only of fathers but of a male's need for other males in his life. No need for a second thought on purchasing this book; do it, you will not regret it.

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I had a very good father, but I still wish I had read this when I was in high school or college. Regardless of your age, this is a book that every man needs to read (I was in my forties when I read it for the first time). It puts a man's life in proper perspective. I highly recommend it.

Great book, very thought provoking.

Pittman's review is brilliant, so different from other books on male development. I sent copies to my three adult daughters.In my view, male pathology is severely harming us all. Pittman describes how that develops and how it can be avoided. He goes way beyond the pettiness of the contemporary sex wars.

This book is so informative and educational that I would recommend this book to everyone! Buy it and read it!

I utterly endorse the comments of the previous reviewer. This book is a gem. Men will find much wisdom in its pages, and will inevitably measure themselves against the oh-so useful models of men as CONTENDERS, PHILANDERERS, or CONTROLLERS. The man who introduced me to this book is sadly very unwell these days, but I'll always be grateful to him for nudging me gently in its direction, and to the author, Frank Pittman for sharing his wisdom so generously, and so usefully.Kevin Chandler, psychotherapist & author:  Listening in: A Novel of Therapy and Real LifeListening in: A Novel of Therapy and Real Life