Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood

By Carlos Andrés Gómez
Published by Penguin Group 2012, 279 pages

Reviewed by:
Kelvin E. Rutledge (krutledge@fsu.edu), Career Center Graduate Assistant
The Florida State University

 Man Up, Carlos Andrés Gómez’s personal reflections, perspectives, and opinions about the 
process of constructing and affirming masculinity within today’s day and age, is an unapologetic, 
candid, and passionate memoir concerning the trials and tribulations of manhood.  As he reflects on 
various moments that were pivotal to the way he views the world at this stage in life, Gómez writes 
in a fluid and conversational manner that blends thought-provoking passages and poetry with blunt, 
in-your-face conversation pieces.  The book is divided into three sections that highlight three main 
phases of how he defines masculinity within society: the early, foundational pieces of childhood and 
teenage life; the current intersections of life that cause conflict and confusion; and the ideas of future 
in which one hopefully achieves and understands about one’s self.  
 Within the first section of the book, entitled “Little Carlitos,” Gómez explores his upbring-
ing through his family and environments in which he lived and definitive actions that defined his life 
before the age of 18.  As the reader first meets Gómez through lens of the question, “Where Are You 
From?” in the first chapter, Gómez describes the early childhood of living with a father who worked 
for the United Nations and a mother who was an aspiring doctoral student and adjunct university 
instructor.  Additionally, he describes his early life, as his first seven years were spent living outside 
of the United States in various countries and then moving into various cities in the United States.  As 
the reader is introduced to his story, Gómez intersects the problems he experienced with the concepts 
of race, class, privilege, systemic and institutionalized oppression, and gender identity.  The next two 
chapters explore these ideas within a deeper context concerning his personal experiences intertwined 
with two aspects of masculinity rarely discussed publicly: fear within men and the façade of what 
defines a man.
 Within the second section of the book, entitled “On the Precipice,” Gómez explores areas 
of young adulthood that have great effects on the way men view women, the world, and ultimately 
themselves.  As he begins the section with an honest and personal chapter on men, sex, and love, 
Gómez talks openly about the transformation he has experienced, the people who directly intersected 
and affected his journey, and how society has perceived his transgressions.  After discussing his 
progression from the teenager in high school to his undergraduate education, he transitions to sharing 
perspectives on men and the ideas of male heroism in society and viewing life actions and events as 
a battleground to articulate one’s overall worth.  He rounds out the section of the book with perspec-
tives on the male paradigm of discovering, acknowledging, and accepting weakness within the male 
identity and what this means in today’s society. 
 Within the third section of the book, entitled “Man Enough,” Gómez explores areas of man-
hood he wishes to master throughout the rest of his journey through life.  He begins the section 
discussing the power of finding his voice through the power of poetry and how this overall process—
and the structures that complement its existence—is crucial to the development of becoming a better 
person and man, overall.  After reflecting on the process of self-affirming activity, he transitions to 
perspectives on becoming a model man and husband while acknowledging the problems, actions, 
and tribulations that define one as a person today.  He rounds out the book by discussing the overall 
goal of life, love, and forgiveness for not only himself but for everyone involved in their respective 

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life journeys.  Ultimately, Man Up presents a holistic interpretation of the process and journey of 
manhood and what it means for multiple individuals involved in the process. 
 When reflecting on the story as a whole, there are multiple areas that can provide rich discus-
sion.  This work can be used as a centerpiece on topics within diversity and social justice, such as 
race, class, and gender.  As many institutions have placed a value on achieving institutional diver-
sity, many programs can utilize Man Up as a practical discussion piece of how diversity exists in 
everyday terms for both positive and negative impacts.  For example, Gómez provides honest reflec-
tions—both positive and negative—on his time as being the only student of color within his Con-
necticut high school until another student of color moves to the community.  By using this example 
from the book, professionals can introduce concepts of identity and process with students—the 
overall intent of Gomez’s writing.  In addition, professionals can facilitate meaningful discussions 
on new students’ individual identity development, how these definitions intersect the spaces they oc-
cupy, and the overall impact these definitions can have on their time within the institution.   
 In addition to exploring various areas of identity, the book also provides a platform to discuss 
understanding culture and the world outside of the United States.  Gómez provides examples of his 
experiences outside of the United States within various chapters of the book.  Using these chapters 
as examples, professionals can provide a discussion about understanding the context of culture.  
Although many students will generally compare culture on a state, regional, and even national level, 
this piece allows students to process and reflect critically upon the world outside of the United States 
and what social constructions influence overall development.  Moreover, this text allows for profes-
sionals to challenge students to think critically about the culture and environment an institution can 
present for international students and help provide a positive experience for all students.   
 Although the book is rich with discussion opportunities for students, there are multiple areas 
of concern that arise concerning using the book for a new student reading program.  It is possible 
that students of various gender identities will not receive the book’s word choice, narrative, or poetry 
in a positive manner that fosters an overall connection.  Gómez writes in a manner that is natural to 
conversation and dialogue that mirrors his day-to-day interactions—including vulgar language and 
mature content.  Furthermore, there are multiple instances in which he writes from a lens of pain 
concerning actions and conversations in the past.  This presents a professional concern, as students 
could potentially not feel any personal connection and ultimately reject the book as a positive new 
student reading.  Professionals need to consider whether their student population will critically 
consider and visualize the bigger concepts that Gómez is articulating or only understand the surface-
level dialogue and writing that is on the page.
 Additionally, the largest professional concern stems from the overall idea of intent versus 
impact of the book as a new student reader.  The book has the potential to create intentional discus-
sion around issues that could potentially cause dissonance around a campus in addition to allow-
ing students to challenge the contexts in which they have lived.  However, the impact of using this 
book could pan out to be negative, as students, faculty, or even staff may not understand the process 
of examining the book outside of the individual lens.  Gómez’s experiences and travels around the 
world are unique and hard to connect to all types of individuals; therefore, there has to be a concert-
ed and continuous effort in communication concerning the overall goal of using the book within the 
campus.  Also, there will need to be resource guides to continue conversation both in and outside of 
the classroom, in addition to crisis management and de-escalation plans if conversations do become 
heated.  
 Although there are established positive and negative aspects of using the book, there are 
unique perspectives that Gómez offers.  As a former social worker and current writer and speaker, 
Gómez’s unique travels and interactions with people help provide a diverse perspective on life in 
general.  He uses these instances to communicate the power and presence of human interaction and 

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how people’s lives are filled with instances to make lasting and positive impacts.  Also, Gómez 
understands the value of synthesizing diversity and social justice issues and how they can ultimately 
affect the socialization of a person.  As the book discusses the value of self-reflection and under-
standing the impact of one’s words, ideas, and actions, it is important to note that he continually in-
tertwines these ideas with a narrative that is easy to understand and process. Ultimately, his diverse 
experiences and passion for talking honestly about these topics help propel this book into many 
conversation pieces. 
 Based on these perspectives, there are multiple avenues in which the book could be imple-
mented into new student programming.  The overarching theme—in regards to application of the 
book—is to really place a strong focus on the process of defining one’s individual self and its mean-
ing to others, the institution, and the world.  Departments that focus on new student programming 
should potentially explore avenues that help challenge the world that students currently understand 
in addition to affirming their experience concerning what it can contribute toward their futures.  
Initially, there should be multiple focuses on student organization events, sponsored university dia-
logues and speaking spaces, and a keynote address that helps the process of overall synthesis.  How-
ever, it is important to provide spaces, events, and opportunities that help connect the events and 
speakers outside of the institutional environment.  Overall, a comprehensive focus on understanding 
a student’s future path will produce a longer-lasting impact and give more relevance and usage to the 
book.   
 Moreover, it is equally important to have established relationships with campus partners to 
achieve maximum efficacy with the new students.  It is important for these departments to work 
heavily with multicultural affairs departments on training, education, and preparation for using the 
book.  As the book will provide a platform to talk about issues that intersect with this functional 
area, these professionals will be a soundboard and resource to providing programmatic pieces, stra-
tegic planning, and preparing for potential negative instances on campus.  Additionally, departments 
could also work with international education departments to provide programs and events that focus 
on culture and its context within the institution.  Finally, it is important to collaborate with university 
career services, university counseling services, and campus crisis managers.  These departments will 
experience conversation and dialogue that focus on outside-of-the-classroom application and synthe-
sis.
 Ultimately, I would recommend Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood as a book 
to use for a new student reading program.  Although there are many instances to consider and evalu-
ate concerning campus climate and culture and student populations, the unique opportunities and 
avenues the book can take are worth the time investment.  Overall, this book challenges students to 
critically examine and consider not only their upcoming institutional experience but also how they 
can impact the experience of others as well. 

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