I've been a fan of Rebecca Solnit since I read [b:A Field Guide to Getting Lost|76479|A Field Guide to Getting Lost|Rebecca Solnit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422984723l/76479.SY75.jpg|2756721], which astounded me with its exquisite language, deep learning and fascinating connections.

Men Explain Things to Me had all of this, but it was a much more challenging book.

I had read the title essay once before. But reading it again was another reminder to try to spend more time listening than I do talking. This is one essay that I think most men would benefit from reading again and again.

In fact, I think that this is a book most men should read at least once. Most of the rest of the essays had me questioning what it means to be a good man. Many of the essays resulted in difficult and honest self-reflection, examining failures and looking for ways of improving.

The final two essays were stunning, and both are essays I know I'll be returning to.

"Wolff's Darkness" was a felt like a return to everything I loved about A Field Guide to Getting Lost. It was an examination of how to find a way in an uncertain by relying on hope rather than false certainties.

Perhaps the most challenging essay was "Pandora's Box and the Volunteer Police Force." It fundamentally changed my idea of what a revolution is. This is an opinion I've held for almost 30 years, so changing my mind was no small task.

This is about as far from a self help book as you can get. There are no easy solutions or magic roads to happiness here. Nevertheless, I'd recommend this to anyone interesting in becoming a better person and working towards a better world.