With the 2025 release of a new “Superman” movie, a recent book display at the Columbia Public Library asks the question “What makes a man super?” If we are using the character Superman as the standard, dc.com describes him as “the gold standard of heroism, compassion and responsibility. Though his powers make him god-like next to his human compatriots, Superman’s story is not one of greed or conquest. Instead, he strives to represent the inherent goodness of the human spirit, and the capacity of every living thing to do right by their neighbors.” That sounds pretty super to me!
Everyone has their own ideas of what makes a man super, of course, so it is an intriguing topic for discussion. Let’s investigate some relevant books.
At a basic level, the things that make a man super are the things that make any creature super. “How to Be a Good Creature,” by Sy Montgomery, explores the ways animals and humans are alike and different. As a science writer, she shares her insights into what 13 very different creatures can teach us about living life with grace, care and humor.
You might say that being a “good” creature is just good and not actually “super.” In response, I would point out that Superman was not a man at all but an alien from the planet Krypton. Therefore, we should give men a break when expecting Superman qualities. In his book, “How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men,” Michael Reichert discusses ways to purposefully create good men from birth to adulthood. He points out that expecting boys to hide their full range of human emotions, to always be tough and not show empathy, pain or fear, is unfair and unrealistic. Shifting our societal expectations of boys to become super heroes can go a long way towards helping them become kind, confident human men.
In a departure of topic from her very readable 2011 book, “How to Be a Woman,” journalist and TV critic Caitlin Moran asks “What About Men? A Feminist Answers the Question.” Moran was inspired to look into the problems of modern-day men after repeatedly hearing that it is easier, these days, to be a woman than a man. Upon investigation, she found a dearth of guidance and support for boys/men and their problems. With humor and honesty, she delves into topics such as body image, pornography, prostate cancer and male friendships.
Perhaps you are interested in looking and feeling more physically super. We have a book for you. “Intelligent Fitness: the Smart Way to Reboot Your Body and Get in Shape,” by Simon Waterson is just the ticket. Waterson is a personal trainer to the stars. He helped Chris Evans to be built like Captain America and trained Daniel Craig for his transformation into ladies’ man James Bond. Staying fit and healthy is definitely something that helps a man be super. “Simon encourages you to focus on training, recovery and nutrition to
build on your performance, rather than aesthetic.”
If you are in a relationship, or even if you have a roommate, part of being a super man is being an equal partner. In the book, “Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home,” Kate Mangino discusses gender norms with regard to household work and child-rearing. It has not always been the case that men were expected to share the chores of maintaining a household and caring for children. However, doing so is sure to lead to a more harmonious home life.
I hope these books, or others at the public library, help you become your best self, no super-human qualities necessary!
