There aren’t a lot of books available on the female to male transgender experience. Unlike those undergoing male to female transition, FTM folks seem to be more quiet about their process. I was glad to find this book as someone dear to me has gone through this transition and I long to gain a better understanding of what he has gone through.
This book speaks to both the larger culture and challenges in the trans community and the more individual ones experienced by the author and his family. I found it interesting and yet heart breaking how each of the sectors of the LGBTQ communities still fight against each other. I so wish we could accept people for what and where they are, not jockeying for position over one another.

In a small way I’ve never felt comfortable in my body- not gender- or sex-wise, but always vaguely disappointed in its lack of strength and my inefficient shape. When I had my first child and had to have a c-section, it took me a long time to find any affection for that body, especially as I struggled with breast-feeding and such, all things I had been raised to expect a female body could do with ease, or at least without so much of a battle.

I can’t imagine how very horrible it would be to reject the actual shape and function of my apparent gender, how very lost one would feel, how right it would be to finally match up the bits with the brain, be who you are. This book gave me a bit of a glimpse into this process.

I recommend it for anyone interested in knowing more about transition and the transitioning community. I have much to learn. ( )

the introduction "how do you know?" is great for the classroom - it's a speech jamison green gives to a group of skeptical college kids. some of the kids know he's ftm, and some don't.

why it's teachable:

content: an exploration of how gender is constructed socially and biologically.

style: a speech that makes a compelling "devil's advocate" argument. engaging and funny. ( )

the introduction "how do you know?" is great for the classroom - it's a speech jamison green gives to a group of skeptical college kids. some of the kids know he's ftm, and some don't.

why it's teachable:

content: an exploration of how gender is constructed socially and biologically.

style: a speech that makes a compelling "devil's advocate" argument. engaging and funny. ( )

I found this quite disappointing. I was expecting it to be about his personal transition, but it's more about how various organisations have been set up and how it's all thanks to him. The general opinion seems to be that FTMs would not exist if it wasn't for him and I found this really irritating. ( )

Very simply the best FTM autobiography out there. Not only does Green discuss his own life, but he goes over the general mechanics of a female-to-male transition, providing valuable information. Well written, a great book one could give to family and friends to help them understand. ( )