“Manhood Impossible provides astute sociological insight into how men struggle to resuscitate their feelings of masculinity and access the exclusive dominion of manhood. With its intriguing case studies, accessible writing style, and ethnographic slant, this is an excellent book that students and scholars are sure to love.”
— Kristen Barber, author of Styling Masculinity: Gender, Class, and Inequality in the Men's Grooming Industry
“Manhood Impossible is a thoughtfully conceived, well-written, and engaging book that speaks and adds to the literature on men, manhood, and masculinity. Melzer offers analysis grounded in rich description in this fresh addition to the field.”
— Matthew B. Ezzell, associate professor of sociology at James Madison University
"Grounded in fieldwork, nicely written, and engaged with feminist research."
— Gender & Society
"Manhood Impossible furthers the literature on gender and masculinity studies. It also contributes to the body of research on the sociology of the body and the sociology of the family."
— American Journal of Sociology