THE EVOLVED MASCULINE

A systematic examination of modern masculinity.

This nonfiction debut by Gerek, the founder of the Evolved Masculine life-coaching company, distills the author’s many years of coaching experience into book form. He breaks down his subject into five main headings, which each address central questions about how to be a man in the modern world. Gerek shares a great deal of autobiographical information with readers, which puts a human face on the sometimes-painful process of becoming more sensitive to one’s own needs and others’. The author’s pursuits as an inveterate “novelty” junkie, who’s “constantly seeking new adventures,” are uniformly intriguing and will not only draw readers in, but also convince them that the author’s life lessons are valuable. The heart of the book features Gerek elaborating on various issues facing modern men, such as how to prioritize what’s important in life, how to form a different relationship with money, and, most crucially, how to revamp one’s relationship to one’s feelings: “The Evolved Masculine is a master of his own emotions,” he writes. “The Evolved Masculine feels—and feels deeply—yet he is not controlled by his emotions, nor does he numb himself to them.” Even in the introduction, the author brings up crucial questions, such as “How do I live and express in a way that does not cause harm to any of the women whom I connect with?” At every stage of the book, Gerek proves himself to be a challenging, but never antagonistic, guide to his readers—an audience that will primarily be made up of men, although it’s easy to imagine this book gaining interested readership among women as well. Overall, his instructions and personal anecdotes never feel heavy-handed, and young men who find themselves confused by the shifting conventions of modernity will find his book particularly informative.

An often involving guide to being a man in the 21st century.