Men and the Emergence of Polite Society, Britain 1660-1800

The book explores the evolving concept of masculinity in Britain during the transition to modernity, emphasizing the importance of social behavior over sexual conduct in defining manhood in the eighteenth century. Through personal anecdotes and a variety of public sources, including conduct books, magazines, sermons, and novels, it highlights how societal expectations shaped male identity and roles during this transformative period.