Book critique: Season of Life by Jeffery Marx
Season of Life is such a simple yet complex book. It is simple because it is written in a language that is uncomplicated, conversational and easy to understand by readers from all walks of life. Yet, it derives its complexity from the various facets of masculinity it exposes through its exploration of a single concept applied in the world of a sport that thrives on stereotypes and larger than life personifications of manliness. College football is loved, its heroes glorified by millions. These men are considered to be the epitomes of masculinity, the touchstones for the rest of mankind. However, not many of their followers question the lifestyles of these stars or the level of happiness that it gives them. When little boys want to be ‘just like’ a football star, it is important to know if the idolization is justly placed. Marx effortlessly places the seed of ‘build men for others’ and ‘love each other’ into the readers’ minds, breaking down resistant perceptions by appealing to sense, the common kind. His approach seems to be that of a teacher, and not a preacher, of sharing his views and not imposing them. This encourages the reader to keep an open mind as he challenges masculine stereotypes and this, in my opinion, is the finest quality of this book.
However, while the book may be well capable of encouraging the layman to approach masculinity in a more sensible, less extreme manner, asking anyone associated with football as a profession to consider sensitivity a part of masculinity is a far cry. Football is a game driven by aggression, whether one speaks of the players, the coach or any member of the support team, aggression permeates through every level of the sport. The higher the level of aggression, the more resistant the mind will be to accept change, especially a change that stands to shatter age old concepts that have been promoted generation after generation. One can compare it to breaking a centuries old family tradition. Hence, people belonging to the football fraternity might actually find the concept of ‘love each other’ to be laughable, amusing, offending, or all of the above! It could be considered to be a maternal approach being followed in patriarchal society. Charity begin at home, and I believe that the book simply will not be fulfilling its true calling if fails to have a sizeable impact in the world of football.
However, despite this shortcoming, it cannot be denied that, through Season of Life, Marx will surely make people, in the very least, consider the changes that need to be implemented in the norms that football players are expected to follow, whether they like it or not. It has the potential of making players think inwardly and re-evaluate the level of fulfilment in life. It will make parents of young football fans rethink their parenting and, instead of focusing on imbibing elements of masculinity in their sons, they might begin to ponder on how to make them good men. This, I believe, the biggest lesson that the book has to offer to the world of football, to parents and to society at large.
Season of Life by Jeffery Marx is a book with great potential to break the stereotypes surrounding masculinity, but it can only be truly effective on those with open minds.
Works Cited
Marx, J. (2003). Season of life - A football star, a boy, a journey to manhood. New York: Simon & Schuster.
