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The Future of Men
Where and who do we want to be? How might we get there? What might happen if we stay on our current course?
Comedian, writer and activist Grace Campbell was born into a political environment that suggested only aggressive, dominant men – like her father Alistair Campbell – were allowed power. Seeing this, she decided that if she wanted to be powerful she had to be like him, a decision that baffled the boys she grew up with.In The Future of Men, Grace draws on research, interviews and her own experience to examine how these dynamics and presumptions have shifted in her lifetime, and will continue to change in coming decades. Men have been writing about the future of women since words came into existence – now Grace returns the favour with this sharp, funny and personal essay.
This brief but mighty book is one of five that comprise the first set of FUTURES essays. Each standalone book presents the author's original vision of a singular aspect of the future which inspires in them hope or reticence, optimism or fear. Read individually, these essays will inform, entertain and challenge. Together, they form a picture of what might lie ahead, and ask the reader to imagine how we might make the transition from here to there, from now to then.
Comedian, writer and activist Grace Campbell was born into a political environment that suggested only aggressive, dominant men – like her father Alistair Campbell – were allowed power. Seeing this, she decided that if she wanted to be powerful she had to be like him, a decision that baffled the boys she grew up with.In The Future of Men, Grace draws on research, interviews and her own experience to examine how these dynamics and presumptions have shifted in her lifetime, and will continue to change in coming decades. Men have been writing about the future of women since words came into existence – now Grace returns the favour with this sharp, funny and personal essay.
This brief but mighty book is one of five that comprise the first set of FUTURES essays. Each standalone book presents the author's original vision of a singular aspect of the future which inspires in them hope or reticence, optimism or fear. Read individually, these essays will inform, entertain and challenge. Together, they form a picture of what might lie ahead, and ask the reader to imagine how we might make the transition from here to there, from now to then.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2020
About the author
Grace Campbell
27 books3 followersGrace MacLennan Grant Campbell, writer (born at Williamstown, Ont 1895; died at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont 31 May 1963). Born in the rural community of Williamstown, Ontario, Grace Campbell attended QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY on scholarship and studied English literature. A successful student, Campbell received the university's gold medal in English literature upon her graduation in 1915. After graduation she taught for 3 years, 2 of which were spent at a French boarding school. In 1919 Campbell married former Queen's classmate Harvey Campbell, and the couple had 3 sons. Her twin sons Grant and Roy both served in the ARMED FORCES, with the Royal Canadian Air Force, during WORLD WAR II, and both were killed in action in 1944. Campbell moved several times throughout her life, spending time in Regina, Montréal and Arvida, Québec. She published many short stories and 6 novels during her career. She eventually returned to Ontario and lived in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where she died in 1963.
Though she published short stories in Canada, the United States and Great Britain, Grace Campbell did not publish her first novel until 1942. Her debut novel, Thorn-Apple Tree, set the tone for her future work in terms of theme. Set in the 1830s on a farm similar to the one on which Campbell grew up, the novel chronicles the experiences of PIONEER LIFE in rural Canada. Her follow-up novel, The Higher Hill (1944), follows a pioneer family in Glengarry, Ontario. Subsequent publications - Fresh Wind Blowing (1947), The Tower and the Town (1950), Torbeg (1953) and Highland Heritage (1962) - all focus on the Canadian experience during various points in the nation's history. In her novels, Campbell focuses her creative efforts on the experience of her characters rather than the plot. The result for the reader is an immersion in pioneer life and an intimacy and understanding of her characters and their lives.
Grace Campbell was an active member of her social and literary communities. She was a member of the Provincial Girls' Work Board, the University Women's Club, and the Women's Canadian Club, as well as the CANADIAN AUTHORS ASSOCIATION and the Arts and Letters division of the Council of Women.
* Source
Librarian note: According to the Encyclopedia of Literature in Canada edited by William H. New - Page 173, Grace Campbell died in Niagara-on-the- Lake 31 May 1965.
Though she published short stories in Canada, the United States and Great Britain, Grace Campbell did not publish her first novel until 1942. Her debut novel, Thorn-Apple Tree, set the tone for her future work in terms of theme. Set in the 1830s on a farm similar to the one on which Campbell grew up, the novel chronicles the experiences of PIONEER LIFE in rural Canada. Her follow-up novel, The Higher Hill (1944), follows a pioneer family in Glengarry, Ontario. Subsequent publications - Fresh Wind Blowing (1947), The Tower and the Town (1950), Torbeg (1953) and Highland Heritage (1962) - all focus on the Canadian experience during various points in the nation's history. In her novels, Campbell focuses her creative efforts on the experience of her characters rather than the plot. The result for the reader is an immersion in pioneer life and an intimacy and understanding of her characters and their lives.
Grace Campbell was an active member of her social and literary communities. She was a member of the Provincial Girls' Work Board, the University Women's Club, and the Women's Canadian Club, as well as the CANADIAN AUTHORS ASSOCIATION and the Arts and Letters division of the Council of Women.
* Source
Librarian note: According to the Encyclopedia of Literature in Canada edited by William H. New - Page 173, Grace Campbell died in Niagara-on-the- Lake 31 May 1965.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 12, 2023
A funny, read for the tube. Entertaining but nothing mind blowing.
April 27, 2024
I enjoyed it, nicely written, funny and with some good points, obviously. Lucky for me I am a feminist so I’m on the good side of history in this case.
January 17, 2021
This is the second in the series of Tortoise Media FUTURES essays I’ve read. This is Grace Campbell, comedian and daughter of Alastair Campbell (who features heavily) on ‘the future of men’.
The book read a little like stand-up comedy, interspersed with three transcribed interviews (one with the author’s father, another with her boyfriend, and another with a gay best friend). The central arguments around feminism and toxic masculinity are agreeable enough, but covered to such a comprehensive extent elsewhere that I didn’t really feel this volume added much.
This was a short and funny read, but the better-known books by Ngozi Adichie and Grayson Perry are, to my mind, better guides to the same territory.
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“Imagine if our prime minister had been a woman. A woman who had left her husband for a much younger man. A woman who, while her ex was having cancer treatment, announced a pregnancy and wedding weeks after her last divorce have been finalised. The word slag would be trending on Twitter. It would be on the cover of The Sun. Her ability to lead would be taken away ... Imagine if a tape had emerged of Hillary Clinton bragging about being famous, and how that allows her to ‘grab men by the dick’. This would’ve been used to completely ruin her character and ability to lead the country.”
The book read a little like stand-up comedy, interspersed with three transcribed interviews (one with the author’s father, another with her boyfriend, and another with a gay best friend). The central arguments around feminism and toxic masculinity are agreeable enough, but covered to such a comprehensive extent elsewhere that I didn’t really feel this volume added much.
This was a short and funny read, but the better-known books by Ngozi Adichie and Grayson Perry are, to my mind, better guides to the same territory.
-
“Imagine if our prime minister had been a woman. A woman who had left her husband for a much younger man. A woman who, while her ex was having cancer treatment, announced a pregnancy and wedding weeks after her last divorce have been finalised. The word slag would be trending on Twitter. It would be on the cover of The Sun. Her ability to lead would be taken away ... Imagine if a tape had emerged of Hillary Clinton bragging about being famous, and how that allows her to ‘grab men by the dick’. This would’ve been used to completely ruin her character and ability to lead the country.”
December 31, 2023
This is a thought-provoking essay that examines the changing dynamics and presumptions surrounding masculinity in the modern world. The author draws on research, interviews, and her own experience to explore how these dynamics have shifted in her lifetime and will continue to change in the coming decades¹.
Campbell's writing style is sharp, witty, and personal, making the book an engaging read. She offers a unique perspective on the topic, having grown up in a political environment that suggested only aggressive, dominant men were allowed power. She decided that if she wanted to be powerful, she had to be like her father (Alistair Campbell aka Tony Blair’s Spin Doctor).
"The Future of Men" is part of a series of five books called "FUTURES essays," each of which presents the author's original vision of a singular aspect of the future that inspires hope or reticence, optimism or fear. Campbell's essay (written in 2020) is brief but mighty, and it will inform, entertain, and challenge readers.
Campbell's writing style is sharp, witty, and personal, making the book an engaging read. She offers a unique perspective on the topic, having grown up in a political environment that suggested only aggressive, dominant men were allowed power. She decided that if she wanted to be powerful, she had to be like her father (Alistair Campbell aka Tony Blair’s Spin Doctor).
"The Future of Men" is part of a series of five books called "FUTURES essays," each of which presents the author's original vision of a singular aspect of the future that inspires hope or reticence, optimism or fear. Campbell's essay (written in 2020) is brief but mighty, and it will inform, entertain, and challenge readers.
April 7, 2023
A short essay about modern feminism, tackling income inequality, fair work distribution, education, politics and many other classic topics in that kind of discourse. All, of course, very agreeable in an easy to read manner, via author commentary and transcribed interviews.
I’m happy that the discussion was about gender cooperation to achieve something together rather than further increasing the gender gap with blanket statements.
It’s nice that the author didn’t forget to mention some important men’s issues that ultimately also contribute to the gender divide.
The comedy was lost on me, I found the humour to be too on the nose and mixing it with serious subjects turns out to be harder that it sounds like.
It feels like the essay was a bit rushed, sort of “I’m going to freestyle this bad boy in a weekend” and it does get worse by the end. Some places feel rough around the edges, some thoughts feel unfinished and sacrificed for some cheap joke opportunities
I’m happy that the discussion was about gender cooperation to achieve something together rather than further increasing the gender gap with blanket statements.
It’s nice that the author didn’t forget to mention some important men’s issues that ultimately also contribute to the gender divide.
The comedy was lost on me, I found the humour to be too on the nose and mixing it with serious subjects turns out to be harder that it sounds like.
It feels like the essay was a bit rushed, sort of “I’m going to freestyle this bad boy in a weekend” and it does get worse by the end. Some places feel rough around the edges, some thoughts feel unfinished and sacrificed for some cheap joke opportunities
May 26, 2024
(2 stars but I don’t wanna drag feminist books cuz too many ppl already do that anyway)
this was written for a lad man who is scared of the word feminism and not for a girl who has studied gender at a university level for 3 years and considers themself radically feminist 😭 (u were right Klara) the takes were lukewarm at best and served on a platter for scared men, but maybe that’s what it takes to get them to listen? it’s just like how stupid (or uncaring) do men have to be to not realize women do a vastly disproportionate amount of housework…
this was written for a lad man who is scared of the word feminism and not for a girl who has studied gender at a university level for 3 years and considers themself radically feminist 😭 (u were right Klara) the takes were lukewarm at best and served on a platter for scared men, but maybe that’s what it takes to get them to listen? it’s just like how stupid (or uncaring) do men have to be to not realize women do a vastly disproportionate amount of housework…
May 23, 2024
Didn’t know this book is kind of more marketed TOWARDS men because the whole time Grace spoke about how great feminism is (she sold it as if I needed to be sold about equal rights) and so a lot of her arguments were simply boring for me
Still 2(.5 which is why review says 3 #round up) stars and not one because I did chuckle at some things (yay comedian author) and do agree that men are recycling 🤗
Still 2(.5 which is why review says 3 #round up) stars and not one because I did chuckle at some things (yay comedian author) and do agree that men are recycling 🤗
February 12, 2021
This uses a fair amount of research and at points had interesting content but, at all other points , the comedy was lost on me. Turns out wanking jokes and sinking-pints culture isn't funny regardless of which gender produces it, who knew.
June 22, 2021
4.5 stars
This essay had a lot of useful information and interesting points about feminism and the relationship men have with feminism. It was also quite enjoyable to read and I'd really recommend it for everyone to read as I think they'd take something/learn something from it, especially men.
This essay had a lot of useful information and interesting points about feminism and the relationship men have with feminism. It was also quite enjoyable to read and I'd really recommend it for everyone to read as I think they'd take something/learn something from it, especially men.
April 2, 2023
Fun & short read to get the thoughts going on feminism, men, and how these relate. Read it together with someone and you’re bound to have a good chat.
December 25, 2023
Very much liberal feminism! A light and quick read. Could have been a lot angrier
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews