Amateur: A Reckoning With Gender, Identity and Masculinity

Amateur is a groundbreaking new book by Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, that explores the relationship between masculinity and violence through his experience of boxing. It is shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction and the Wellcome Book Prize and offers a hopeful vision of a new masculinity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2019
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd

In this groundbreaking new book, Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, embarks on a remarkable journey as he prepares to participate in a charity match at Madison Square Garden, while simultaneously grappling with the intricate and often conflicting relationship between masculinity and violence.

Through his captivating experience of boxing, where he learns to both take and deliver blows, McBee delves deep into the profound implications of male violence, the pervasive nature of gender stereotypes, and the limitations imposed by conventional notions of masculinity.

Amateur is a sweeping exploration of gender dynamics in contemporary society, encompassing a wide range of topics and perspectives. It ultimately emerges as a story of hope, as McBee charts a path toward a new masculinity that transcends the boundaries of the ring and permeates every aspect of his life.

In Amateur, we gain a profound insight into the stereotypes and evolving realities of masculinity through the eyes of a fresh and unique individual. McBee's graceful and unflinching narrative invites us to reflect on our own beliefs and assumptions about gender, challenging us to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate vision of what it means to be a man in today's world.

Weight: 156g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786891006
Edition number: Main