Manhood: A Journey from Childhood into the Fierce Order of Virility Book

I cannot help but feel a little disappointed whenever reading something authored by a fellow anthropologist that strikes me as being crass, non-empathetic, and callous in the end.

Then again, the beginning of the 20th century was a different time, when exploring the darker recesses of the soul was considered to be more 'true' than anything. So I guess Michel Leiris is a product of his times and intellectual circles (though there are still some surrealists I love).

The author's brutal honesty (I detected no amount of self-serving or self-gratifying disclosures) and his willingness to be scrutinized not in the best light are worthy of a nod, as well.

But the rest of this collection of essays, focusing on appalling female archetypes and the way he sees them, his violent fantasies and urgings - it's all not just unsavory, but signaling a dire need for therapy.