Man Made: A Memoir

by Ken Baker

A one-time star hockey goalie-turned-journalist describes his devastating experiences with a rare brain tumor that caused his body to be flooded with massive amounts of female hormone that destroyed his sex drive and hampered his sexual performance, his years of torment, and the brain surgery that eliminated his sexual dysfunction. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2001

About the author

Ken Baker is an American journalist, author, former pro athlete and television news personality. Baker is the Senior Correspondent for E! News as well as the host of E! Online's daily web show Live From E!.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Cryselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking or disliking doesn't seem to apply here: this is tragic, yet hopeful. Being a medical professional, though, my inner voice kept screaming "Tell a doctor! Your chest isn't supposed to do that!" I suppose it's part and parcel of showing no weakness and the anti-medical bias shown by his father, but did no one ever take a good long look at the guy? I wanted to weep.
Very interesting study of hormones affecting mindset: there are several anti-psychotic medications known to affect prolactin levels, making me wonder just where the effect is coming from.
VERY well written.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book albeit a bit crude at time. A very compelling story showcasing the profound influences our biological makeup has on our personalities. Should be considered a must read for anyone still subscribing to the 70's hippie notion of "boys and girls are all created equal - its society that forces us into gender roles!" Tell that to Ken Baker.

[Karissa Pacheco · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Surgery healed my body; writing will heal my soul."

This book is not a light-hearted wacky hi jinks tale. It is exactly as the author states in the forward, its his way to exorcise his demons from a life of familial and health issues.
Worth the semi heavy read to get a glimpse into the life of someone who feels "other" within a male body who is straight. You just want to give him a hug.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book related to endocrinology. Ken Baker's autobiography is about a tumor in his brain, specifically in the area of his pituitary gland and its effects on his life. The tumor is called a prolactinoma and the increased prolactin level in his body caused him to have a decreased amount of testosterone which caused a whole host of effects. Some of the effects included a decreased ability to put on muscle/have a masculine build. It also caused an a decreased libido. This would be challenging for anyone, but to add complexity to the situation, the author was a star hockey player in his high school days and was a scholarship college player as well, in spite of these difficulties. As one can imagine, having a decreased libido when in the jock crowd has the possibility to create some social fitting-in issues. Because of this, some of his life choices were affected and he pursued a career that he may not have chosen if the prolactinoma hadn't happened.

Because prolactinomas are among the medical conditions I treat, I found his first hand account fascinating. I’m also saddened that even though he had contact with the medical system, it failed him on a few occasions and his diagnosis was made much later than it could have been.

As a disclaimer, the author talks a lot about how this condition affected his interaction with other guys in regards to "locker room" talk as well as his relationship with the women he dated. This discussion often revolves around his lack of ability to perform sexually, until his condition was discovered and treated.

[Mary Levesque · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because I, too, had a pituitary adenoma, and I was very curious about how a male would experience it. Mine was not anywhere as severe as his, not only because it was diagnosed in less than a year, but because the prolactin is a female hormone, so it never affected me in a negative way. My only symptom at 38 years old was that my period stopped; I thought it was early menopause because my mom’s menopause started at 41. My heart broke for Mr. Baker, wishing that, somewhere he would seek medical help sooner than later, he was suffering so badly! I’m truly surprised he didn’t attempt suicide. Although he ultimately didn’t end up with the woman who insisted he see a doctor, which pretty much saved his life, it was incredibly fortuitous that he met her.

[James O'Neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this not long after finding out I’ve also had a prolactinoma from a young age.

While my experience of life was very different from the author’s, and my personality EXTREMELY different, it made for an informative read.

Wish he’s focused more on figuring himself out after treatment, since that was what I wanted to hear about. Most prolactinoma patients don’t get to have theirs surgically removed immediately anyway so it probably wouldn’t match up with whatever my experience ends up being.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this intriguing read at Dollar Tree (and yes, it is still there.) For those of us who want to explore how one guy’s body reacts as prolactin floods his body from teen to adult. His mind is so sweet as he recounts his family life as well as sex drive and situations he finds himself in as women interact with him. I LOVE how he introduces readers to his wife simply by putting “Her name is” I can’t reveal much more though there is some interesting facts sprinkled in.

[Eric Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me appreciate (what has often felt like) living in a testostorone-poisoned body. Anyone who has ever struggled with self-esteem, sexuality, wants and desires (does that mean pretty much everyone?) will find compassion for themself and others through Ken Baker's story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

BAKER'S STORYTELLING AND PROSE MAKE THIS BOTH AN INTERESTING AND EASY READ. HIS INTROSPECTION AND SELF-REFLECTION ARE INSPIRING; I'VE RARELY SEEN SUCH CHARACTERISTICS IN OTHERS. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN MEDICAL STORIES.

[Jenny Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!!!! Looking forward to "They don't play hockey in Heaven"

[Teddy Goetz · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing style wasn’t compelling, nor was the story.

[calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All i'm gonna say that its my life.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating study on what makes us who we are. All his life Ken Baker suffered from crippling erectile dysfunction as well as swollen,sore nipples that leaked blood and whitish fluid. As an adult he began suffering from crippling headaches. Finally after years of suffering he went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a tumor that had been secreting a hormone that was the cause of all his agony. Almost immediately upon beginning treatment Ken "became a man" and tries to come to terms with himself.

A great read, I recommend it for men and women alike.

[Ivy K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because at the time I was interested in the subjects of gender, sex, and transgenderism. I do not like that the author essentially gave up ice hockey, which was his primary passion in life; as well, I do not like the kind of masculinity portrayed in this book; however, this is an autobiography, so that comment is irrelevant. The author's trials and tribulations are interesting and worth a read if it is a subject that interests you (identity struggles and masculinity).

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intially decided to read this book because the author is from my home city and was briefly an intern at the company where I work. It turned out to be a fascinating memoir about how an unknown tumor on his pituitary gland robbed him of his masculinity and manhood as it grew over time, and took away -- unbeknownst to him -- many of the things that make men, men.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is fascinating. The writing -- just OK.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An oddly fascinating memoir by my husband's former colleague whose undiagnosed medical condition caused him to develop a feminine body.

[Jesica · Rating 3 out of 5]

BLOG: www.adictaxictoxico.blogspot.com

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found at the dollar store, seemed interesting enough for a buck. The science is crazy.

[Toosdhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutally honest memoir about a man struggle between being male and being a man. A very good read.