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A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son - Paperback | Diverse Reads

A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son

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A provocative, personal, and useful look at boyhood, and a radical plea for rethinking masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love

“Surprising . . . [Black’s] tone is so lovely, his empathy so clear . . . Black’s writing is modest, clear, conversational . . . corny, maybe. But helpful. Like a dad.”—The New York Times Book Review

With hope and with humor, Michael Ian Black skillfully navigates the complex gender issues of our time and delivers a poignant answer to an urgent question: How can we be, and raise, better men?

Part memoir, part advice book, and written as a heartfelt letter to his college bound son, A Better Man offers up a way forward for boys, men, and anyone who loves them. Comedian, writer, and father Black examines his complicated relationship with his own father, explores the damage and rising violence caused by the expectations placed on boys to “man up,” and searches for the best way to help young men be part of the solution, not the problem. “If we cannot allow ourselves vulnerability,” he writes, “how are we supposed to experience wonder, fear, tenderness?”

ISBN-13: 9781643752044

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill

Publication Date: 05-10-2022

Pages: 304

Product Dimensions: 5.00(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.70(d)

Michael Ian Black is an actor, comedian, and writer who started his career with the sketch comedy show The State, on MTV, and has created and starred in many other television shows. Movie appearances include Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, and Sextuplets. Black is the author of several books for children, including the award-winning trio I’m Bored, I’m Sad, and I’m Worried, and the parody A Child’s First Book of Trump. His books for adults include the memoirs You’re Not Doing It Right and Navel Gazing and the essay collection My Custom Van. Black also co-authored with Meghan McCain America, You Sexy Bitch. As a stand-up comedian, Michael regularly tours the country, and he has released several comedy albums. His podcasts include Mike & Tom Eat Snacks, with Tom Cavanagh; Topics, with Michael Showalter; How to Be Amazing; and Obscure. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Wilds of Connecticut 1

1 Some Guy: Now You're Home 17

2 Rosary: Tell Your Kids You Love Them 27

3 Skate or Die: You're Not Toxic 43

4 A Useful Engine: You're a Real Man 65

5 No Sissy Stuff: Be Yourself 83

6 Do You Even Lift, Bro?: Share the Load 103

7 Beer from a Leg: Respect the Service of Others 117

8 Smoke Signals: Violence Is (Almost) Never the Answer 138

9 Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner: Take Pride, but Not Too Much 154

10 Gunslinger: You Can't Do It Alone 168

11 Lucky Charms: Choose Happiness 179

12 It's Just Plumbing: Communicate with Your Partner (and Pick Up the Check) 201

13 Everything and Nothing: Be Humane 221

14 Here I Am: Do Something Positive 243

15 A Better Man: Breathe 257

16 One Guy: Turn Around and Wave Goodbye 279

Acknowledgments 289