Choice of Heroes: The Changing Faces of American Manhood Gerzon, Mark

Mark Gerzon maps the evolution of American masculinity through five archetypal figures: the Frontiersman, the Soldier, the Breadwinner, the Expert, and the Lord. From the lone cowboy to the corporate executive, he traces how each hero emerged, dominated, then crumbled under social change. Written during the men's movement of the 1980s, this dissects the scripts men inherit — the stoic provider, the warrior, the detached professional — and asks what comes next. Gerzon doesn't offer easy answers, but he's sharp on how these mythologies trap men in isolation and emotional distance. For anyone curious about gender studies, cultural history, or why your grandfather never talked about his feelings, this remains a thoughtful, accessible read. Pairs well with Susan Faludi's *Stiffed* or bell hooks' *The Will to Change*.