Brothers, Lust, & Love: Thoughts on Manhood, Sex, and Romance

Originally self-published in 1996 in Texas, where July is a writer-in-residence for the Houston Writers in the Schools program, his examination of the relations between the sexes while derivative is nevertheless useful. He focuses particularly on African American men and women, although he also touches on interethnic and interracial love affairs. July makes the point at the outset that in American society of the 1990s the black male must still do battle for the affirmation of his humanity, constructing a bridge from his life as a black to the world around him, where he constantly runs head-on into stereotypes and myths. In the three segments of his book, July explores what he conceives of as true manhood: basing a relationship on soul rather than on sex or possessions, and, as he puts it, making love from the inside out. There are all manner of lists, ranging through 10 things women do that drive men away (acting sweet to get a man, then changing their behavior once they get him; talking about other men) to 10 fantasies about romance (a real man will always make the first move; men fall in love through sex). This is for the dating crowd looking for a reinforcing self-help guide. (May)