Men And Manliness On The Frontier

What were the lived experiences of men on the frontiers of the British Empire? Using their journals, diaries and letters Robert Hogg examines the dreams, challenges and failures of men seeking their 'independence' on the margins of empire and demonstrates that life in colonial Queensland and British Columbia challenged preconceived ideas of manliness.

Men were forced to sacrifice or modify elements of this ideal; some accepted that their manly aspirations were impossible to fulfil. In fact, this ideal of manliness contained a deep paradox. It was inherently contradictory, encompassing physical and mental prowess, caste hierarchies and egalitarianism, heterosexual dominance and the possibility of homoeroticism, Christian piety and the potential for violence and murder.

Review: Robert Hogg's insightful book presents a convincing argument for the cross-referencing of colonial experience within the framework of understanding masculinity. - Queensland Review Men and Manliness on the Frontier is an accomplished piece of scholarship. Hogg offers a useful exploration of the ideological and material elements of frontier masculinity and makes good use of the archival treasures at his disposal.

This book offers a valuable resource for anyone interested in the interconnections between lives, experiences and ideas in the history of masculinity. - Chris Brickell, Otago University