New book day, what you are reading?

Reading the first chapter of 'The Descent Of Man' in which the author Grayson Perry lays out the premise of the book and demonstrates a false equivalency, he start by introducing the book with a short story, of a boy struggling up a hill with his new mountain bike, angry that he cannot work the gears, the boy is crying and cry's for dad's help, dad is at the top of the hill looking angry apparently because his son is crying and hasn't 'maned up.' he reports that in passing the father he utters "i hope your boy can afford a good psychologist when he's older." a comment that any maladjusted person would not take idly, but this father cooly ignores. (it is unclear whether this a true story.)

Then ambiguously suggests forms of masculinity are very destructive then suggests on that presupposition we should re-examine masculinity. He suggests masculinity is a matter of poor education and that it holds society back, is the reason for global crime, wars and distortions of economics (most probably a reference to communism) that masculinity is why men kill themselves and suffer anger issues, and emotional baggage and after such presupposition are accepted get philosophical about masculinity.

What the author has done is equate mental health issues with being masculinity and then crime, the state of the economy and any number of 'bad' things with being masculine. In the story of the boy and the mountain bike ironically entitled 'if it's not broke don't fix it' he makes massive assumptions on this father son relationship, based on the presupposition of masculinity that can only be said to be vacuous. Having been left myself to be taught self reliance, to calm myself and get out off problems on my own fortitude a very masculine trait, that I wouldn't change for the world the boy learned a very powerful and important lesson, their won't always be someone to help you, you must learn to help yourself when you must.

Another masculine traits I was taught was that you have a duty to others, to protect the week, to be willing to sacrifice for others when duty demands it, as well as might is not right. I don't presume that masculinity is perfect, however emotional issues such as abuse aren't masculine traits, and a string of abuse can have lasting scares on a family for generations as indicated by this author.

The author clearly has an opinion, it's just not worth very much in my opinion.

Please comment what book you're reading, so we can share our views.