Books that Share a Journey: Inspiring Books About Female-to-Male Transsexuals

Born in a genetically female body with a male identity, Female-to-Male transsexuals take a journey that most people would never have even considered possible up until the late 1970's and early 80's - changing their outward physical sex from that of a female into a male. Twenty years ago, the general public knew little about Female-to-Male transsexuals, and even in the year 2007 the word 'transsexual' is more often used to indicate Male-to-Female individuals, but the reality is that Female-to-Male transsexuals have become just as prevalent as their counterparts - you just hear about them less often. The books on this list have been picked to compile a list of several titles that each offer a valuable and articulate voice of what is means to take this journey.

A Brief Overview of Terms

But before the booklist, a short explanation on terms. Generally, 'transsexual' refers to someone considering or currently undergoing hormonal treatment and/or surgery to align their outward gender appearance with that of their inside identity or sense of self. However, the term transsexual is more often used to indicate the former meaning, to designate a person as 'considering'; that is, pre-transition or within the beginning stages of physical transition towards their desired sex. A transsexual person can also identify themselves as 'Transgender', a broader term that typically refers to the state of a person's 'gender identity' (their self-identification as male, female, or otherwise) not matching or correlating with the genetic or physical sex they were assigned at birth. Other terms that are commonly used to apply to female to male transsexuals include 'Transman' and 'FTM' (female-to-male abbreviated). Additionally, using the term 'transsexual' to describe oneself does not at all imply a specific sexual orientation - a transsexual person may identify as straight, gay, bisexual, or any other orientation, just as the non-transgendered among us do.

[Note: A brief description will be given with each title on this list so that readers will have a better idea of what book more closely mirrors the aspect of the female-to-male journey they are specifically looking to read more on, such as social difficulties prior to the decision to transition, the physical effects of hormonal and surgical treatment, medical options available, etc.]

The Phallus Palace: Female to Male Transsexuals by Dean Kotula: A great, well-rounded resource on the topic. Includes personal testimonies of several FTMs (including the author's own experiences with transitioning) and contributions from experts in a number fields that place the subject of transsexualism into a historical, medical, psychological and cultural context. Especially useful is the section entitled "Part Four: The Surgeries" which features interviews with doctors who specialize in sex-reassignment surgeries laid alongside detailed photos and descriptive walkthroughs of the surgeries currently available.

Becoming a Visible Man, by Jamison Green: The biography of leading transgender activist Jamison Green. Written with an experienced voice and an accessible prose, the recollections of Jamison's own experiences and struggles with his gender and self identity (he transitioned in his early forties) prior to transition are paired with informed analysis of the social, medical and psychological aspects to the female-to-male transsexual experience.

Just Add Hormones: An Insiders Guide to the Transsexual Experience by Matt Kailey: The biography of a gay-identified FTM who spent the first forty-two years of life living as a 'straight' female. This book puts the questions we all have about the transsexual experience (including the more troublesome day to day aspects, such as the dilemmas of using public bathrooms, the frustration of 'Sir's and 'Madam's, and dressing as a man - all of which is handled with the utmost aplomb) in a frank and highly accessible format that's not only both enjoyable and informative to read but written with a resoundingly humorous note as well.

The Testosterone Files: My Hormonal and Social Transformation from Female to Male, by Max Wolf Valerio: Delivered with blunt and often poetic language, the exceedingly well-written memoir of a former lesbian-feminist turned heterosexual male is a must-read for the open-minded reader of any gender. Born Anita of Native American and Latino descent in 1957 Germany, Max Valerio shares an emotionally charged story of how he came to be where he is as a man today. While not every reader will agree with the vivid contrasts Valerio paints of his own discoveries and conclusions on the nature of men and women, the life and transition detailed within these pages is a remarkable one and offers experience after experience that many will identify with and find insight in. As an aside, the memoir is divided into three main sections: Part One - 'Beginning', introducing Valerio at the start of his transition, Part Two - 'Before Testosterone', detailing his life prior to his decision to transition, and Part Three - 'After Testosterone', in which Valerio describes the social and physical effects during and post-transition.

Both Sides Now: One Man's Journey Through Womanhood by Dhillon Khosla: Khosla begins his memoir with his decision to become a man and integrates childhood memories and dream sequences (in italics) into his experiences as he evolves spiritually, physically (as he takes testosterone injections and goes through multiple surgeries) and emotionally into his own skin.

Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us, by Kate Bornstein: An insightful and witty commentary of the social and societal dynamics of gender, not specifically about female-to-male transsexuals but offers an easily digestible introduction to understanding the social pressures and troubles pre-transition transsexuals (and other people who do not fit into the neat boxes of male or female from birth) potentially face in daily life.