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

By Gail Sheehy and Sheehy Gail

Book Overview

Her stunning bestsellers Passages and New Passages brilliantly mapped the changes we live through from youth to maturity. Now Gail Sheehy guides contemporary men through the turbulent challenges and surprising pleasures that begin at forty. As a man crosses that threshold, he is bound to ask midlife's most troubling question: Now what? Work anxieties, concerns over sexual potency, marital and family stress, issues of power, all take on new urgency as men contemplate the decades ahead. But as Gail Sheehy reveals in this major new book, midlife is precisely the period when men are most likely to reinvent themselves and become masters of their fate. In Understanding Men's Passages, Sheehy offers all men--and the women in their lives--an essential guide to self-discovery. Hundreds of bold, imaginative men--celebrities as well as everyday heroes--share here their most intimate desires, deepest fears, and most fervent cravings for renewal. Decade by decade, Sheehy uncovers the real issues facing men today: finding new passion and purpose to invigorate the second half of their lives, dealing with "manopause," surviving job change, enjoying post-nesting zest, defeating depression, and learning what keeps a man young. Informative and inspiring, grounded in fact and full of fascinating life stories, Understanding Men's Passages is a landmark that will take its place beside Gail Sheehy's epoch-making Passages and New Passages.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345406907
• ISBN13: 9780345406903
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Interesting book for a gay male adult

I am a gay, male adult and I found this book interesting especially in what may trigger the universal midlife passages of men. I like the examples placed in each chapter of this book. This book focuses on male and female relationships but I still found it helpful and able to relate it to MLM relationships. I would recommend this book to anyone, wanting to know or prepare themselves for midlife passages and what to expect as we grow wiser.

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.