Peter Lloyd (8)

I thought about writing a longish, personal review about why this book is important to me, but then I remembered that (like most men) I'm not an exhibitionist, so I'll just talk about the book. Mr. Lloyd first came to my attention when I saw a clip of him being interviewed, and ridiculed, on a women's talk show for writing a book for men. That alone suggested I would want to read it. In this book Lloyd discusses many issues that affect men, including: the marriage trap, male contraception, fathers' rights, the vile practice of circumcision, men's health (and the minuscule amount of money spent on it in comparison to that of women), feminism and its false and dangerous but persistent narratives, and how society and media make us feel about our bodies. In a somewhat lighter section, Lloyd offers take-downs of various celebrities for the stupid things they've said in public, such as the insufferable, hypocritical Emma Watson ("Men aren't stupid and don't need a masterclass in equality from some 25 year-old." Yes! Thank you!) But it isn't all Lloyd's show; he also includes frequent contributions from experts in law, sociology, and medicine--many of them women and some of who identify themselves as feminists (probably the "good kind.")

Criticisms are minor; its populist tone is a little out of line with the seriousness of its subject matter, but if it gets more people to read it then that's a good thing. And I vehemently disagree with his hideous suggestion that only childfree people should be eligible for the draft. But that's just one point in the entire book.

Although the cover calls it a guide for men, I think it is equally--perhaps even more--important for women to read. None of this stuff is being talked about anywhere else, not in any authoritative sources anyway, and it needs to be. The other day I was talking to a friend about a new documentary that feminists are trying very hard to suppress (to the point of wanting to keep the director out of the country), and while she expressed interest in seeing the film, she said the thought the men's rights activists were "a joke." If you read this book, and are in any way fair-minded, you won't see men's rights as a joke any more.… (more)