The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love

Written by bell hooks and Ross Gay

Narrated by Janina Edwards

From New York Times bestselling author, feminist pioneer, and cultural icon bell hooks, an evergreen treatise on how patriarchy and toxic masculinity hurts us all.

Feminist writing did not tell us about the deep inner misery of men.

Everyone needs to love and be loved—including men. But to know love, men must be able to look at the ways in which patriarchal culture keeps them from understanding themselves. In The Will to Change, bell hooks provides a compassionate guide for men of all ages and identities to understand how to be in touch with their feelings, and how to express versus repress the emotions that are a fundamental part of who we are.

With trademark candor and fierce intelligence, hooks addresses the most common concerns of men, such as fear of intimacy and loss of their patriarchal place in society, in new and challenging ways. The Will to Change “creates space for men to acknowledge their traumas and heal—not only for their sake, but for the sake of everyone in their lives” (BuzzFeed).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Feb 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781797104355

bell hooks

bell hooks was an influential cultural critic, feminist theorist, and writer. Celebrated as one of America’s leading public intellectuals, she was a charismatic speaker and writer who taught and lectured around the world. Previously a professor in the English departments at Yale University and Oberlin College, hooks was the author of more than 17 books, including the New York Times bestseller All About Love: New Visions; Salvation: Black People and Love; Communion: the Female Search for Love, as well as the landmark memoir Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood.

Reviews for The Will to Change

[Scott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some interesting feminist theory on encouraging men to be more expressive, affectionate, emotionally available and educated. While also critical of historical and current expressions of dominant male culture and behavior.

[s8st69fy85 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book. Highly recommend to men and women who are seeking to understand and heal from the effects of patriarchy on all levels. Touches on points in ways I haven’t seen modern speaks do.

[aidanlomcallister · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

very insightful and inspiring. as a man in my 20s it makes me ponder on a lot of things. it does get pretty repetitive at certain spots, but still has very good points to make

[Lionel Nkaya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. I learned A LOT! The information is provided in an easy to understand way. I also love the fact that Bell Hooks used examples from movies in pop culture this really helped me understand some of the points.
Thank you Bell Hooks for educating the masses. Blessings to you, your family and your team!

[Boitumelo Nkonde · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Challenging in ways that force you to think more deeply

[n · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you read one book this year, let it be this one!! This book changed me for the better. For a cis woman such as myself this was so important to read, I am recommending this to all the men that are dear to me specifically and to women as well, but i think this book can be so healing and good to read for men.

[Atticus Foster · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel both validated in the progress I've made and like I have so much more to do after reading this book, and that's exactly how I should feel. Ms. Hooks speaks in a very male positive way while never letting men off the hook for the consequences of their actions. I think every man, and everyone who knows a man, should read this book.

[Michael Francis Wright · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wish I had read(listened) to this book 15 years ago. The depth of integrity & wisdom herein, can be a magnificent asset in the evolution of our species from the dead-end of domination to the open sources of cooperation.

[Igor Vervoort · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Ultimately the men who choose against violence, against death, do so because they want to live fully and well, because they want to know love."

[Elizabeth Clayborne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Men are so important and just as worthy of love as the rest of us. Love that theres a book addressing them from this loving perspective

[Diana Del Pozzo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

wow I need therapy lmao can’t wait to reread and annotate

[Jonathan Spencer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Have me a lot to think about and address within myself

[Ess Jaraha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simply Prolific. This book is a blueprint for a more sustainable future.

[urs sanders · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very insightful. Some excellent points made. I learned a great deal.

[Azeez Yusif · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The message is clear that change from males of the new generations will shape us to a stronger more egalitarianism society. The narrative of how we all live isn’t fair for any of as a culture and country we don’t come together and learn to coexist. I recommend this for everyone

[William LF · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing, helped me in so many ways. Challenging and stirring

[Arthur Lobato · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Bell Hooks is more needed than ever. Each phrase is a fractal of powerful wisdom folding on itself and leading us to greater and better places.
A must read for all people that really want to end patriarchy.

[JayVe Montgomery · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Don’t fall for the mask of patriarchal masculinity. A more whole human way is possible. Good luck gentlemen.

[Nicholas Donovan Hawkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a heterosexual black man this book left me full of hope, everyday I’m dedicating myself to exercise the Will to Change!

[silindokuhle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the topics explored here. However, I cannot give it a higher rating than 4 as I'm already familiar with most of Hooks' arguments. Great book.

[Julia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book very challenging. I suppose it was written for the male reader, but it has been deeply impactful for me as a woman. It’s changing the way I view my role as a daughter, sister, future wife and mother.

[Arion Dominique · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book changed my life. It was utterly refining, sickening sometimes in truth, but the healing I experienced was spiritual transformative.

[Aisha Bello · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first i was skeptical i usually prefer to read about men and masculinity from a male author. But Bell Hooks has more than wowed me with this one. Learned a ton, highly recommend this book to both men and women looking for collective healing from Patriachy

[Jack Ogden · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It has been such a relief to read a book by a feminist author who takes so much time and energy to truly understand what it is to grow from a boy to a man in our patriarchal societies. bell's words resonate within me as I go through the pain and joy of rediscovering myself as a whole masculine and feminine being. To me, this book is a work of love.

[P S · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author is very knowledgeable on the strife of men and women and was able to convey the message as soothingly as possible. Some parts could definitely spark anger, but with thorough explanation and the narrator's tone, I appreciated every word.

[Kate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't know if I've ever been brought to tears so much in one book. This has made a huge impact on my life (and I hope it continues to do so). If you're a man that's wanting change in your life, read this.

[L Jermaine Russell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Willing to revisit several times. Great book to challenge masculinity and your role/identity/thinking/emotion/etc around it. A great guide towards becoming emotionally whole.

[Danielle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Men, please read. Everyone, please read. This is an important gift of scholarship, love, and generosity from Bell Hooks. I’m buying six copies for my family this holiday season.