Manipulating Masculinity uses literature from World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq wars to argue that when a society labels broadly human traits "feminine," that society can more easily manipulate men to war. All men are bound to detect some of those traits in themselves - and then fear that they have strayed into a feminine, inferior realm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Background: Sexuality and war -- World War I: No half-men at the front -- World War II: No lace on his drawers -- The Vietnam War: Out from under Momma's apron -- Conclusion -- Epilogue: The Wars against Iraq: Red alert on girly boys.