Gail Bederman's Manliness and Civilization is praised for its nuanced analysis of gender, race, and civilization in late 19th and early 20th-century America. Critics laud its interdisciplinary approach and depth of research. Some find the dense academic language challenging, but most agree it is a vital contribution to gender and cultural studies.

Readers who relish critical gender studies, cultural history, and examinations of masculinity and race will find Manliness and Civilization by Gail Bederman compelling. Similar to The Gender Knot by Allan G. Johnson and Masculinity Studies & Feminist Theory by Judith Kegan Gardiner, it appeals to those intrigued by the social construction of manliness.

Manliness and Civilization by Gail Bederman examines the transformation of perceptions of manliness and masculinity in the United States from 1880 to 1917, focusing on how these evolving ideals intersected with race and gender. Through the lives and works of Ida B. Wells, G. Stanley Hall, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Theodore Roosevelt, Bederman explores how white, middle-class men redefined their roles and identities in the context of societal changes. The book contains discussions of graphic violence, lynchings, and other sensitive historical issues.

Informative / Challenging / Mysterious / Gritty / Contemplative

- Manliness and Civilization by Gail Bederman explores the connections between gender, race, and national identity during the turn of the 20th century, highlighting the changing ideals of manliness.
- The book provides a critical examination of historical figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Ida B. Wells, investigating how their actions and personas shaped contemporary discussions of civilization and masculinity.
- Bederman’s work delves into the cultural and social implications of manhood, demonstrating how these ideas were interwoven with notions of progress, democracy, and racial superiority in American society.

**Ida B. Wells**  
A journalist and activist who became an editor and owner of the Free Speech newspaper in Memphis, she fought against racial injustice and lynching in the United States.

**G. Stanley Hall**  
A pioneering psychologist and academic, he was the first to receive a doctoral degree in psychology in the U.S., founded the American Journal of Psychology, and served as the first president of Clark University and the American Psychological Association.

**Charlotte Perkins Gilman**  
An influential author and social reformer, known for her short story "The Yellow Wallpaper," she advocated for greater opportunities for women and grappled with the roles of a writer and mother.

**Theodore Roosevelt**  
The 26th President of the United States, he was a former Governor of New York and led the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War, later embarking on scientific and diplomatic expeditions after his presidency.

Gail Bederman

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Women in Culture and Society

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Manliness and Civilization: A Cultural History of Gender and Race in the United States, 1880-1917

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