Men, Masculinity and the Media (Sage Series on Men and Masculinity)

Rating:
Summary: Great research, bland presentation
Review: I think this book, by format, is best suited to be used as a research tool, and as a source for students like myself to find information to support papers dealing with its subject. This book does an excellent job of gathering the information and statistics on the effects and influence of media on males and makes it clear that the men presented in the media reflect a minority in the male community. However, it presents this information in a dry, unentertaining manner. After reading it I feel that the information is very important, but I feel that the authors present it in a way that makes it largely inaccessible to those who could benefit from it most, the common man. I think that after reading this book most men would have a different outlook on media, from the advertising industry all the way to the format driven set up of sitcoms. Perhaps it would even alleviate some of the pressure men feel to be like the men they see in the media. I fear that it would be very unlikely to find anyone reading this book that would not be using it as a research tool.