Tracy Alloway and Jordan Ritter Conn: The Global Economic Shock from a Stupid War

Jordan Ritter-Kahn's American Men examines how cultural scripts about masculinity shape men's emotional lives, loneliness, and sense of worth. The book follows four men — including a West Point graduate, a Black trans man in the Rust Belt, a gay man prone to violence, and a law student coping with childhood trauma — to illuminate diverse experiences. Ritter-Kahn situates their personal stories within broader economic and social shifts that have undermined traditional provider and stoic roles. The narrative draws on immersive reporting and intimate interviews to show how vulnerability, friendship, and identity intersect for contemporary American men. Ultimately, the book argues for more expansive models of masculinity that allow deeper connections and emotional health.

The book tells the story of two Syrian brothers, Riyad and Bashar, who take different paths in their journey from Raqqa. Riyad immigrates to the United States, where he faces challenges and bigotry, while Bashar heads to Germany. The narrative explores themes of immigration, family bonds, and belonging in the face of war and societal upheaval. It serves as a counterargument to anti-immigrant sentiment by highlighting the contributions and struggles of immigrants.