Understanding Men's Passages: Discovering the New Map of Men's Lives

By Gail Sheehy

Book Overview

This is a book every man should read and every woman will. Understanding Men's Passages is the most intimate and candid account of what men's lives are really like today, revealing their doubts, their passions, their hunger for renewal. Given their increasingly unpredictable and elongated lives, men need to reinvent themselves and expand the ways they demonstrate their manliness.?? ???? Hundreds of men have told their stories in their own words to Gail Sheehy, author of the bestselling New Passages and The Silent Passage. Sheehy makes the case that it is men in middle life who have the best chance to become masters of their fates. Featured are confidences from both celebrities and everyday heroes, creating a mirror in which every man can locate his possibilities for growth and change. These bold, feisty, imaginative men recount how they have discovered what is missing and forged new directions to invigorate the second half of their lives. They share a fantastic secret: "Hey, I'm not as old as I used to be!" ???? Understanding Men's Passages is a concise guide for men (and the women in their lives) as they confront the major issues of each passage: ???How do you make change work for you? ???Where can you find new passion and pur-pose? ???How can you be the father you wish your father was? ???What can you do to exercise influence as you grow older? ???How can you deal successfully with "male menopause"? ???What strategies can defeat depression? ???How can you survive a job change or downsizing? ???What keeps a man young? ???When men and women face the same passage with different needs and directions, how does marriage survive? ???? The stories of men who are redirecting their lives offer concrete information as well as inspiration.Gail Sheehy's Understanding Men's Passages will be a man's secret friend--a short, witty, knowing guide to self-renewal. And every woman will find it a must-read.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679452737
• ISBN13: 9780679452737
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Review, Men's Passages by Gail Sheehy

Excellent insight into the male perspective. Based on myriads of facts and studies. Couldn't put it down.

Dingosgalore

I would encourage every man and every woman, even the young ones, to read this book at least once. It is a valuable guide to knowing what men think and go through mentally as they age. We women need to understand this to love them like we want to.

Lost in your Fifties without GPS

Coming from a very active life, I've settled into my 50s and wonder why the rules have changed. Men's Passages will give you a preview as well as reassurance to what you are experiencing and what lies ahead. Why your son or daughter has no interest in being home and what you're going to do with your wife now that the kids don't want her anymore. You will find this book entertaining as well as enlightning, and you will have a difficult time putting it down. It is a great guide to mid- life.

Read this book if you are ready to face the music.

Reading this book is a necessary gut-wrenching experience. Nobody likes to hear exactly the idiotic things we men sometimes do. Especially from a woman...right guys?Sheey is right on the money. You will find your father, brother, GRANDFATHER and buddies all here. As well as yourself. And *that* is the gem this book will leave behind: finding yourself, situating your thoughts and realizing that you are not all that crazy..that, yes, you can stay in the saddle or get back on it. You are hardly alone.Two comments: One, don't take the age ranges literally (Sheely advises the same thing). Two, enjoy the book while it lasts, because "the meaning of life" is not described at the end of the book. The book reads like a novel at some points, BUT it is not. If you get to the end and are still clueless. Put it down and think hard. You will get IT. Read it. You will be glad you did.

A must read for man and his mate.

Sheehy brings insight to perspective via interviews and observations about man's tormentuous passage through life. Bingo. She hits it on the head! Sure helped me better understand both my internal and external tribulations. As usual, it's great to know that others are in the same boat - some sinking faster than others. Bravo work which should help this generation and others to understand their passages and better deal with them.