:Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs
{{Short description|2023 book by Josh Hawley}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox book
| image = Hawley, J. 2023. Manhood.jpg
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| author = Josh Hawley
| genre = Christian literature, political science
| publisher = Regnery
| pub_date = May 16, 2023
| pages = 256
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| isbn = 9781684513574
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Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs is a book by American senator Josh Hawley. It was published by American conservative publisher Regnery Publishing on May 16, 2023.{{cite book |last=Hawley |first=Josh |title=Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs |year=2023|publisher=Regnery Publishing |isbn=9781684513574}} Manhood extensively draws on the Bible to argue a version of masculinity as a form of self-improvement. It was panned by critics but praised by conservative commentators prior to its release. Versions of the book, including the audiobook, charted in various sections on Amazon's best sellers list.
Background
Josh Hawley is an American politician and lawyer. Hawley released Manhood while the senior United States senator from Missouri. Hawley previously was the 42nd attorney general of Missouri from 2017 to 2019. Hawley attended Yale Law School, graduating in 2006 with a Juris Doctor degree.{{Cite news|title=The Education of Josh Hawley|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/01/19/josh-hawley-senator-stanford-history-capitol-insurrection-ambition-460481|date=January 19, 2021|access-date=January 20, 2021|newspaper=Politico|language=en|last1=Arrieta-Kenna|first1=Uairí|last2=Cadei|first2=Emily|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309022719/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/01/19/josh-hawley-senator-stanford-history-capitol-insurrection-ambition-460481|url-status=live}} The Kansas City Star reported that Hawley's classmates saw him as "politically ambitious and a deeply religious conservative."{{Cite web |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article248663695.html |title='Bamboozled.' Hawley mentors stunned by conduct, but early warning signs were there |date=January 24, 2021 |last1=Lowry |first1=Bryan |last2=Shorman |first2=Jonathan |last3=Adler |first3=Eric |website=The Kansas City Star |access-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210124184940/https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article248663695.html |url-status=live }} Hawley has written for the magazine Christianity Today.{{cite magazine |last=Hawley |first=Joshua |title=The Age of Pelagius |magazine=Christianity Today |date=June 4, 2019 |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/june-web-only/age-of-pelagius-joshua-hawley.html |issn=0009-5753 |access-date=August 30, 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308103745/https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/june-web-only/age-of-pelagius-joshua-hawley.html |url-status=live }} Hawley has previously been described as a Christian nationalist for views he gives in remarks and speeches.{{cite news |last1=Desrochers |first1=Daniel |title=Missouri's Josh Hawley embraced Christian nationalism in speech. What does that mean? |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289945799.html |work=Kansas City Star |date=July 12, 2024 |access-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813213548/https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289945799.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rahman |first1=Khaleda |title=Josh Hawley doubles down on Christian nationalism remarks |url=https://www.newsweek.com/josh-hawley-doubles-down-christian-nationalism-remarks-1923103 |work=Newsweek |date=10 July 2024 |language=en |access-date=28 August 2024 |archive-date=28 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828144940/https://www.newsweek.com/josh-hawley-doubles-down-christian-nationalism-remarks-1923103 |url-status=live }} Manhood is the third book authored by Hawley and second published by Regnery Publishing, after The Tyranny of Big Tech, both of which were published during Hawley's time as a senator.{{cite book |last1=Hawley |first1=Joshua D. |title=The Tyranny of Big Tech |date=2021 |publisher=Regnery Publishing |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=9781684512393}}{{cite web |title=Books Written by Sitting Senators |url=https://www.senate.gov/senators/BooksWrittenbySittingSenators.htm |website=U.S. Senate |access-date=28 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828145217/https://www.senate.gov/senators/BooksWrittenbySittingSenators.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2024}} The Tyranny of Big Tech was originally supposed to be published by Simon & Schuster before they dropped the book following Hawley's support of the storming of the United States Capitol.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/books/simon-schuster-josh-hawley-book.html|title=Simon & Schuster Cancels Plans for Senator Hawley's Book|date=January 7, 2021|access-date=January 7, 2021|first=Elizabeth|last=Harris|work=The New York Times|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109011222/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/books/simon-schuster-josh-hawley-book.html|url-status=live}}
Synopsis
Josh Hawley opens Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs by describing how he became aware of the problems he identifies as facing men and the reasons he suspects to be the root cause of those issues. Hawley says he first identified the alleged problem while he was an associate professor at University of Missouri Law School and had conversations with male students. In Manhood, Hawley suggests the increased cost of living, unemployment and housing to be the root causes of male unhappiness. Hawley also identifies gender-based discrepancies in male education performance and suggests inaction, or "not trying"Hawley 2023, chapt. 1 as both the reason for male under-performance, and the cause of unhappiness. Hawley argues "screens, leisure, and porn"Hawley 2023, p. 5 are the issues that end up causing discontent. He also argues that the American left have driven the collapse of masculinity and suggests that marriage is required for men to "grow up".Hawley 2023, chapt. 5, 6, 10 Hawley frequently blames "fatherlessness"Hawley 2023, pp. 7, 9, 90–92, 209 for many problems in modern American society including drug use, poverty, and crime. He also blames the American welfare state for what he terms a "dependency"Hawley 2023, p. 131 problem preventing men from choosing to find work, something he argues as intrinsic to his version of manhood.
In Manhood, Hawley extensively draws on the Bible to develop an idea of manhood. He states that the Bible is the foundation for Western civilization and claims that American politicians are not able to discuss or acknowledge the Bible. He then discusses masculinity through the lens of the Bible, including figures such as Adam, Abraham, David, and Jesus. He frequently draws similarities between the Bible and Ancient Egyptian religion and Roman culture. Throughout Manhood, Hawley variously either praises Ancient Greek culture or blames it, particularly Epicureanism, as the origin for modern liberalism. He views his version of manhood as directly contrary to atheism and nihilism.
Hawley dispels the notion of masculinity promoted by the 1999 film Fight Club and social media personality Andrew Tate. He vehemently opposes pornography and likens it to cheap sex. He blames porn consumption, or "usage",Hawley 2023, p. 69 as the cause for many problems facing men, and suggests it is an extreme form of consumerism. Hawley says for men to be happy, they must practice self restraint. In addition to porn, Hawley also blames video games for modern male loneliness. In Manhood, Hawley attacks the American Psychological Association and argues that their guidelines discourage traditional male characteristics.Hawley 2023, pp. 50, 109–110 Hawley contends that traditionally masculine characteristics are eliminated in boys in what he views as the over diagnosis or overmedication of boys with ADHD.Hawley 2023, pp. 109–110
Hawley describes how he developed his ideals of manhood during his childhood while helping his grandfather, a farmer in Missouri, and combines work with self worth. Hawley says "To become a man, you must work. You must contribute. You must give more than you take."Hawley 2023, p. 135 Hawley dedicates a portion of a chapter to telling a coming of age story passed down from the family of his wife, Erin Hawley.Hawley 2023, chapt. 7 In it, he describes how a grandmother and her son turned in an outlaw "Captain William Coe". Hawley uses the story as an allegory to show how the son, in demonstrating bravery and courage, grew into Hawley's version of a man. He also discusses his children and his son's health issues, growing up around his grandparents, playing youth sports, social and Bible study clubs, marriage and his wife, their miscarriage, his time as a clerk for the Supreme Court, and his time as a rowing coach, and how those experiences contributed to his view of masculinity.
Development
Hawley had previously discussed how his political philosophy had been shaped by studying Theodore Roosevelt, particularly in regard to religion and masculinity.{{cite news |last1=Desrochers |first1=Daniel |title=The politics of 'Manhood': How Josh Hawley is capitalizing on a crisis among American men |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article273129800.html |date=April 2, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403044702/https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article273129800.html |url-status=live }} Hawley authored a book in 2007 on Roosevelt.{{cite book |last1=Hawley |first1=Joshua D. |title=Theodore Roosevelt, Preacher of Righteousness |date=2008 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven, CT |isbn=9780300120103}} It was announced in early 2022 that Senator Hawley was writing a book on the topic of manhood.{{cite news |last1=Desrochers |first1=Daniel |title=Josh Hawley is writing book on masculinity. Senator's 'Manhood' goes on sale next May |work=Kansas City Star |date=July 28, 2022 |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article263913621.html |access-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019230547/https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article263913621.html |url-status=live }} The book was supposed to expand on a speech at the National Conservatism Conference delivered by Hawley where he claimed the political left was waging a war on masculinity.{{cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Stephen |title=Josh Hawley's book on masculinity has transformed my life. No, really |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/josh-hawley-book-masculinity-manhood-b2138448.html |work=Independent |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829132323/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/josh-hawley-book-masculinity-manhood-b2138448.html |url-status=live }} Hawley did not disclose the size of advance he was paid to write Manhood.
Before publication, Regnery Publishing did not widely circulate advance copies of the book, instead limiting to whom they provided early versions. Conservative commentators who received an early copy praised the work. Stephen Lyons, in a pre-publication review for The Independent, said Hawley had "seminal courage" in writing Manhood. Lyons praised Hawley and "alpha male Senator Ted Cruz" for their role contesting the "rigged election of President Biden." Other pre-publication reviews expressed disappointment that Hawley did not address his role in the 2021 insurrection;{{cite news |last1=Schwarz |first1=Jon |title=Josh Hawley Won't Let Go of His Manhood |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/05/14/josh-hawley-book-masculinity/ |work=The Intercept |date=May 14, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829150909/https://theintercept.com/2023/05/14/josh-hawley-book-masculinity/ |url-status=live }} Hawley had previously conducted fundraising based on a widely circulate image of him raising his fist in support during the insurrection.
Promotion of his book coincided with raised scrutiny of Hawley and his role in the insurrection.{{cite news |last1=Slisco |first1=Aila |title=Josh Hawley Mocked for 'Manhood' Book After Video of Him Fleeing Jan. 6 Mob |url=https://www.newsweek.com/josh-hawley-mocked-manhood-book-after-video-him-fleeing-jan-6-mob-1728960 |work=Newsweek |date=28 July 2022 |language=en}} He faced particular scrutiny as a result of the ongoing House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack; commentators compared Hawley's previous stances on manhood with video of him fleeing the Capitol.{{cite news |last1=Brigham |first1=Bob |title="Didn't he already sell his manhood on Jan 6?": Josh Hawley mocked for titling his book "Manhood" |url=https://www.salon.com/2022/07/29/didnt-he-already-sell-his-manhood-on-jan-6-josh-hawley-mocked-for-titling-his-book-manhood_partner/ |work=Salon |date=29 July 2022 |language=en |access-date=29 August 2024 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829153648/https://www.salon.com/2022/07/29/didnt-he-already-sell-his-manhood-on-jan-6-josh-hawley-mocked-for-titling-his-book-manhood_partner/ |url-status=live }} Hawley responded to criticism to CNN saying "[t]his is just an attempt to troll." Ursula Perano of The Daily Beast said that critics were trying to tank sales of Manhood prior to its release.
Reception
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Andrew Tate - James Tamim Upload (Cropped Wide Portrait).png
| alt1 = Andrew Tate
| image2 = Jordan Peterson by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| alt2 = Jordan Peterson
| footer = In Manhood, Hawley critiques a version of masculinity espoused by Andrew Tate, but commentators have likened his politics to Tate's, and compared Hawley's brand of masculinity to that of Jordan Peterson.
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Manhood was listed as a best seller on Amazon in the "Men's Christian Living" (Kindle and audiobook formats) and "Political Conservatism & Liberalism" (hardcover) sections. Hawley attempts to separate the ideas he puts forth in Manhood from those espoused by Andrew Tate.{{cite news |last1=Onion |first1=Rebecca |title=Man Overboard |url=https://slate.com/culture/2023/05/josh-hawley-manhood-book-republican-senator-wife.html |work=Slate |date=18 May 2023 |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821151759/https://slate.com/culture/2023/05/josh-hawley-manhood-book-republican-senator-wife.html |url-status=live }} Despite this, political commentators and lawyers such as Kate Shaw, Melissa Murray and Jonathan Van Ness likened Hawley and the ideas in Manhood to Andrew Tate.{{cite AV media|last1=Shaw|first1=Kate|last2=Murray|first2=Melissa|last3=Van Ness|first3=Jonathan|title=We Read Josh Hawley's Book So You Don't Have To|date=July 15, 2024|publisher=Crooked Media|work=Strict Scrutiny|url=https://crooked.com/podcast/we-read-josh-hawleys-book-so-you-dont-have-to/}} Lloyd Green of The Guardian felt the book was hypocritical for dispelling Tate's version of manhood while overlooking the Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Lloyd |title=Manhood review: Josh Hawley, moraliser, neo-Confederate and Tucker Carlson of the US Senate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/may/13/manhood-review-josh-hawley-book-tucker-carlson |work=The Guardian |date=13 May 2023}} Rebecca Onion, writing for Slate, compares Hawley's vision of manliness to Jordan Peterson's, often described as just "clean your room" accountability.
Becca Rothfeld, in her review for The Washington Post, says that Hawley tries to write "a gender rule book" that is in "the awkward position of claiming that masculinity is both unassailable and endangered, both natural enough to be obvious and fragile enough to require defense."{{cite news |last1=Rothfeld |first1=Becca |title=Review {{!}} How to be a man? Josh Hawley has the (incoherent) answers. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/05/18/manhood-josh-hawley-review/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=25 July 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524063816/https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/05/18/manhood-josh-hawley-review/ |url-status=live }} Soraya Chemaly, writing for MSNBC, described Manhood as "a thorough roadmap to how the senator thinks about his brand of hyperconservative Christian, largely white masculinity and what he perceives as its crisis."{{cite news |last1=Chemaly |first1=Soraya |title=Opinion {{!}} Josh Hawley's horrifically misogynistic book signals a much bigger problem |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/josh-hawley-conservative-white-christian-men-masculinity-rcna93104 |work=MSNBC |date=7 July 2023 |language=en |access-date=28 August 2024 |archive-date=28 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828143448/https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/josh-hawley-conservative-white-christian-men-masculinity-rcna93104 |url-status=live }} Ginny Hogan, writing for The Nation, says that while Hawley is correct in identifying there are modern issues facing men, he "wildly misses the mark" in identifying those issues{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Ginny |title=Is Josh Hawley All Right? |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/josh-hawley-manhood/ |work=The Nation |date=29 June 2023 |access-date=25 July 2024 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725192752/https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/josh-hawley-manhood/ |url-status=live }} and urges that no one should read this book. Lucas Kunce, a politician who ran against Hawley in for the Senate in 2024, said to The Daily Beast, "it's strange that Josh is writing a book on a topic he has zero experience with."{{cite news |last1=Perano |first1=Ursula |title=Online Reviewers Are Being Absolutely Brutal About Josh Hawley's 'Manhood' |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/online-reviewers-are-being-absolutely-brutal-about-josh-hawleys-manhood |work=The Daily Beast |date=15 May 2023 |language=en |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821144942/https://www.thedailybeast.com/online-reviewers-are-being-absolutely-brutal-about-josh-hawleys-manhood |url-status=live }}
See also
Footnotes
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