by Michael Kaufman

Viking hardcover, 1993, Penguin paperback,1994

Now available as a free download in PDF format!

About Cracking the Armour

Everywhere we turn, women are challenging men’s power and men are rethinking what it means to be men.  But why is it that so many men feel powerless and alienated despite the social, economic and personal power that seems to be their birthright?  In Cracking the Armour, Michael Kaufman weaves a rich and colourful narrative of men’s experiences with sexuality, pornography, violence, fatherhood, families, and friendships.  He gives an account of men’s aspirations, obsessions, and concerns that is sometimes funny, often provocative, and always honest and direct.  In the process, he helps us understand what is harmful to men and oppressive to women about our current notions of masculinity, and to reclaim the possibilities and joys so many men have buried in the quest for an armour-plated manhood.

Author and scholar Michael Kimmel wrote,“This rare book - honest, thoughtful, compassionate - brilliantly exposes the contradiction at the heart of our definitions of masculinity …. Michael Kaufman offers neither pop psychological bromides, mythic quests nor contrite confessions, which makes “Cracking the Armour” - at once personal and political, plain-spoken and eloquent - a revelation.”

Journalist Michele Landsberg, wrote, “Women, give this book to your teenage son, to your boyfriend, to your lover - but sneak a look at it yourself, too. Not only is it appealingly readable, but it’s also an unflinchingly honest dissection of the masculine mystique, from the inside. No Wagnerian ‘wild man’ histrionics, no defensiveness or self-pity, but lots of energetic, tender, and pro-feminist optimism about the ways in which men might change.”

Free Download 
By downloading Cracking the Armour, you are agreeing to adhere to the permission information below.” 

Download “Cracking the Armour” Ch 1-3 PDF format (310K)

Download “Cracking the Armour” Ch 4-7 PDF format (365K

Download “Cracking the Armour” Ch 8-10 PDF format (400K)

Permission Information
Full copyright information appears in the PDF text.

Single Copies for an Individual: The author (copyright owner) grants permission for an individual to download and print one copy for reading purposes but not for further reproduction or sale.

Institutions and Organizations, and Multiple Copies: Written permission is necessary for institutions and organizations (or individuals associated with institutions and organizations) to produce multiple copies for individual use, or to make it available in any electronic form.  This applies to all institutions and organizations, including educational, public sector, non-profit, corporate, and commercial enterprises.  Institutions and organizations who ask individuals (such as students in a university or college course or attendees at a training seminar) to download this work as a required reading, are also required to obtain written permission. Normally this permission will be granted for a licensing fee of $5 per copy or per user who will access this work, with the stipulation that these copies or electronic versions are not sold to generate revenues or profits above the price of reproduction plus licensing fee. Each copy (reproduced by any mechanical or electronic means) must include an author credit and the full copyright notice and permission information as it appears in the PDF text.

Reproducing up to Two Chapters: With written permission, up to two chapters may be photocopied or electronically reproduced for educational use in specific courses, without payment of a fee. Any alteration, amendment, or abridgement of chapters reproduced in this manner also requires the written approval of the copyright holder.

For permissions, contact: mk@michaelkaufman.com