American Men

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What to expect

What does it really mean to be a man today?

The topic of modern manhood has been at the forefront of our media and politics for several decades now. It has become a totem of the culture war, hotly debated again and again in both public and private spaces. More recently, the conversation has become extreme and divisive, with each side harboring wildly different beliefs on what a man might be, leaving little room for compromise.

Between the weight of expectation and the restrictive force of the patriarchy pressing down on them, it is no wonder that so many men today feel stuck. But these debates on modern manhood often fail to consider the actual lives of men themselves: how do they live their lives day to day? Who do they love? What are their dreams?


Jordan Ritter Conn’s American Men is an exploration of the rarely-discussed details of men’s real lives. Written from the perspectives of four very different men, Ryan, Gideon, Joseph and Nate, thIS audiobook explores the male psyche as each of them experiences trauma and recovery, violence, sex, power and powerlessness, as well as the difficulties of forming relationships in the context of contemporary life.

In part a condemnation of its faults, as well as a celebration of its virtues, American Men presents a truthful, balanced portrait of manhood and masculinity, as it exists today.

Jordan Ritter Conn is the author of The Road From Raqqa: A Story of Brotherhood, Borders, and Belonging, runner-up for the 2021 Dayton Literary Peace Prize. He is a Senior Staff Writer for The Ringer and the host of the narrative podcasts What If: The Len Bias Story and Sonic Boom, named by The Atlantic as one of the best podcasts of 2019.

© 2026 Jordan Ritter Conn (P) 2026 DK Audio

Critics Review

'Jordan Ritter Conn’s American Men is a masterclass in empathetic storytelling. With profound sensitivity and unwavering curiosity, he brings us into the lives of men grappling with the silent pressures of masculinity. This is journalism that listens deeply and writes with a rare generosity of spirit.'
Gilbert King, Pulitzer prize-winning author of Devil in the Grove
'A deeply immersive, intimate look into the lives of four men from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. Beautifully woven together, their stories reveal the current, confused state of American masculinity.'
Wright Thompson, New York Times bestselling author of The Barn

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