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Amateur  By  cover art

Amateur

By: Thomas Page McBee
Narrated by: Thomas Page McBee
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Publisher's summary

One of The Times UK’s Best Memoirs of 2018, BuzzFeed’s Best Nonfiction of 2018, Autostraddle’s Best LGBT Books of 2018, Book Riot’s Best Queer Books of 2018, and 52 Insight’s Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2018

From an award-winning writer whose work bristles with "hard-won strength, insight, agility, and love" (Maggie Nelson), an exquisite and troubling narrative of masculinity, violence, and society.

In this groundbreaking new book, the author, a trans man, trains to fight in a charity match at Madison Square Garden while struggling to untangle the vexed relationship between masculinity and violence. Through his experience boxing - learning to get hit and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes, and the limitations of conventional masculinity. A wide-ranging exploration of gender in our society, Amateur is ultimately a story of hope, as McBee traces a new way forward, a new kind of masculinity, inside the ring and outside of it.

In this graceful, stunning, and uncompromising exploration of living, fighting, and healing, we gain insight into the stereotypes and shifting realities of masculinity today through the eyes of a new man.

©2018 Thomas Page McBee (P)2018 Simon & Schuster
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

Featured Article: The Best Trans and Nonbinary Listens


As our society becomes more inclusive, some of our most underrepresented communities are getting a much-needed opportunity to tell their stories. For this list, we’ve come up with some of the best trans and nonbinary listens, across all genres and age categories. And because we know that authenticity is important to listeners, our selections are almost exclusively written by queer, trans, and nonbinary authors.

Editor's Pick

I have a (totally professional) crush on Thomas Page McBee
"Reason #1 I love this Audible book: it’s only 3.5 hours long. Reason #2 I love it: it’s freaking fabulous. I adore the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a great listen in under two days! Thomas Page McBee is the first known trans man to have ever fought in the ring at Madison Square Garden. That alone would have made for a great memoir, but he doesn’t stop there. Amateur effortlessly explores gender stereotypes and male violence, and comes away with a hopeful vision for a new kind of masculinity."
Rachel S., Audible Editor

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What listeners say about Amateur

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Beautiful

I spent the last hour of the book fighting back tears. So beautiful, such a way with words. I wrote down quotes to refer back to. Brilliant. Changed my take on boxing and toxic masculinity. I see things differently now. Such a wonderful and thought provoking read

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  • Overall
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A true reckoning!

Thank You Thomas Page McBee for spilling your truth, your life, and your own personal transition!
Such a writer! Your willingness to delve into yourself and the way you used your words of telling, moved me to tears more than once.
This book is a must read for all who search for a better understanding of gender and transitions.
I thank you again.

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1 person found this helpful

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Best nonfiction book I have read in over a year!

I finished this in under a day, pausing only to get some sleep. The story is interesting, but the deep introspection that does not shy away from vulnerability is what makes it stand out. it's full of heart, with winks of humor and lots of soul wrenching thoughts about masculinity.

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5 people found this helpful

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Wow. Stick to your ribs story telling.

This book struck me deeply. I’m shaken. The writing is excellent as well. I’m so grateful he made himself vulnerable by sharing his story and his creativity.

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1 person found this helpful

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Excellent. Nuanced. Real.

I listened to this whole thing in one weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it! A real pleasure and eternally relevant perspective.

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4 people found this helpful

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This book is more important than ever!

we needed this story, more men need to listen or read this as soon as possible

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Loved it

I didn’t want it to end. Thank you for writing this ! Such a great listen

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A coming of age story

Beautifully written and haunting. Any man thinking about what kind of man or father he wants to be and what kinds he does not should give it a listen.

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Not as cohesive as I would have liked

Not as cohesive as I would have liked but touching nonetheless. Would recommend for anyone interested in boxing or trans masculine experience.

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  • Overall
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Captivating and thought provoking

An honest and rich look at masculinity and embodiment. I couldn’t put it down and I can’t stop talking about it.

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