A critical perspective on the growing number of books dealing with issues of men and masculinities, this work looks at some of the theoretical, practical and political difficulties that arise when men begin to study themselves. The author also outlines some of the strategies that might be adopted to overcome these difficulties, including: a re-reading of sociological classics, and an examination of areas where masculinity comes under question; for example, male unemployment, changes in the structure of the workplace and the suffrage movement. The book takes issues of methodology and epistemology as key points for discussion. A distinctive feature is the critical engagement between mainstream sociology and gender studies. This book should be of interest to students of sociology, gender studies and men's studies; it should also be useful on research method courses.