In reply to TobyA:
I agree. This really, really makes me despair and feel quite sad.
Considering the fact the author has carried out a lot of research, it seems she is trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator to sell this book. That is, those in our society who would like to give the impression that they are "Extreme Athletes" by buying and reading this.
How many times do we have to try and explain that climbing is not an extreme sport carried out by adrenaline and testosterone fuelled junkies?
I haven't read this book, and I am unlikely to (got to wash my hair tonight and every night, forever!) with a title like "Male Identity and Rock Climbing".
The author obviously hasn't been to France where as many girls as boys climb as part of the school curriculum. My wife's 14 yr old niece in Cannes has redpointed 7b as part of her sports class at the local crag!! And she doesn't even really like climbing!!!
For f*%$s sake give me a break! The last thing climbing needs is another book like this perpetuating the myth of climbing carried out by death wish male nutters all jostling to show off the size of their private parts.
Ahhhhh, rant over, got that off my chest, looks out the window, raining no climbing today, back to paperwork.
Rich.