Masculinity Under Construction is an exciting, much-needed study. Through deft readings of “anti/postcolonial” authors, including Aimé Césaire, James Baldwin, Mariama Ba, Ernest Gaines, Amos Tutuola, and George Lamming, Dr. LaToya Jefferson-James broadens and transforms our understanding of masculine identity within the African Diaspora. This engaging, most-welcome work opens new vistas on Black Manhood, Postcolonial Studies, and African Diaspora Studies, and clearly constitutes a major scholastic accomplishment.

Verner D. Mitchell, University of Memphis

In clear, lucid and jargon-free language, Dr. Jefferson-James reflects on her own heritage of strong, Black Mississippi men, writing them into an analysis of Black male writers, and offering nuanced alternatives to masculine identity. Her touchstones are James Baldwin and Ernest Gaines, but she enriches and complicates her argument with discussion of the lesser-known Caribbean writers George Lamming, C.L.R. James, Jacques Roumain, Roger Mais and E.K. Brathwaite. This is an essential text for graduate and undergraduate courses in American history and literature, as well as Diaspora Studies, Black Studies, White Studies and Queer Studies. Hopefully, a second edition will include texts by Hispano-African male writers.

Cynthia Davis, San Jacinto College