Dismembering the Male
Men's Bodies, Britain and the Great War
Joanna BourkeBased on letters, diaries and oral histories, this title explores the impact of the ‘war to end all wars’ on the male body. It argues that military experiences led to a greater sharing of gender identities between men of different classes and ages.
That notions of femininity were seriously disrupted during the First World War has become obvious in recent years. But what happened to masculinity at the same time? Based on letters, diaries and oral histories, Dismembering the Male explores the impact of the ‘war to end all wars’ on the male body.
Joanna Bourke argues convincingly that military experiences led to a greater sharing of gender identities between men of different classes and ages. She concludes that attempts to construct a new type of masculinity failed as the threat of another war, and with it the sacrifice of a new generation of men, intensified.
Based on letters, diaries and oral histories, this title explores the impact of the ‘war to end all wars’ on the male body. It argues that military experiences led to a greater sharing of gender identities between men of different classes and ages.
That notions of femininity were seriously disrupted during the First World War has become obvious in recent years. But what happened to masculinity at the same time? Based on letters, diaries and oral histories, Dismembering the Male explores the impact of the ‘war to end all wars’ on the male body.
Joanna Bourke argues convincingly that military experiences led to a greater sharing of gender identities between men of different classes and ages. She concludes that attempts to construct a new type of masculinity failed as the threat of another war, and with it the sacrifice of a new generation of men, intensified.
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Bourke evokes a real tenderness and understanding for the men who were pushed to breaking point and beyond . . . in a book well illustrated with contemporary photographs and sketches from men's letters and diaries . . . a fine work
'Times Higher Education Supplement
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cogent insights into wartime experience
'Independent on Sunday
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stunning
'The Observer
Joanna Bourke (Author)
Joanna Bourke is Professor Emerita of History at Birkbeck, University of London, a Fellow of the British Academy, and OBE. She is also the Professor of Rhetoric at Gresham College. Her many books include Disgrace: Global Reflections on Sexual Violence (Reaktion, 2022).
Tom Moore (Author)
Joanna Bourke is Professor of History at Birkbeck, University of London, a Fellow of the British Academy, and the Gresham Professor of Rhetoric (until 2023). Her many books include The Story of Pain: From Prayer to Painkillers (2014) and War and Art: A Visual History of Modern Conflict (2017).
