The Descent of Man

Description

Grayson Perry turns his acute eye on the gender that always seems to be in crisis in this funny, essential book What is masculinity and what can it become? It might seem like a luxury in a world facing climate change and vast imbalances in global wealth, but Grayson Perry sees masculinity as a highly active component in all the big issues. Tracing the contours of the dominant male role today, its history and its clearly defined rules, The Descent of Man explores everything from sex, seriousness and intimidation to clothing, childhood and power, suggesting a more modern model of manhood which may reach escape velocity from the gravity of Traditional Man.

Grayson Perry is a man. He is also an award-winning artist, a Bafta-winning TV presenter, a Reith Lecturer and a bestselling author with traditional masculine traits like a desire to always be right and to overtake all other cyclists when going up big hills.

An eloquent and witty tour guide through the fun house that is masculinity ... He's just the man for the job -- Dwight Garner, Books of the Times * The New York Times * A funny, engaging, and at times penetrating trek through the tricky landscape of contemporary masculinity ... [Perry is] a cultural luminary -- Jason Heller * NPR * Pithy and insightful ... The Descent of Man fits into the tradition of the 18th-century treatise, a plea for a new, enlightened social order in the manner of Mary Wollstonecraft or William Hazlitt -- Sophie Gilbert, * The Atlantic * A joy to read -- William Leith * Financial Times * [Perry] is thoroughly engaging and charismatic ... His personality shines through -- Clive Davis * The Times * GRAYSON PERRY FOR KING AND QUEEN OF ENGLAND. Imagine how BRILLIANT our country would look if he was. -- Caitlin Moran Thoughtful, clearly written and a joy to read * Evening Standard * A fabulous book -- Victoria Hislop With its non-macho slender girth and personal, engaging approach, [The Descent of Man] is a breeze of a read, and one that makes you see our male-manufactured world a little differently ... Grayson Perry has written the very book I wanted to write -- Matt Haig * Guardian *