The concept of a "modern man" holds significant philosophical and cultural weight, first articulated in Carl Jung's 1933 collection, *Modern Man in Search of a Soul*. Jung suggested that people struggle with a lack of meaning as contemporary culture primarily engages the mind through a material perspective. In his debut poetic diary and manifesto, *Modern Man*, released on Thursday, October 1 by Meadowlark Press, Kent Leatham explores not the material impact of mainstream society, but the ideologies he grapples with in today’s world. The work has been nominated for the 2026 Birdy Poetry Prize.
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Leatham, who also serves as a poet, translator, and educator at California State University Monterey Bay, will host a book signing at Untamed Fire, a shop specializing in crystals and creativity, on Sunday, October 18. He teaches courses including Poetry and Gender, Multicultural Poetry, and Intro to Creative Writing and Social Action. Additionally, he is the faculty advisor for *In the Ords*, the university's undergraduate literary-arts journal, and curates the Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium.
*Modern Man* contains poems that resonate with authenticity, resembling intimate diary entries. It centers around themes of masculinity and generational change, prominently featuring a father figure. Many poems begin with "dear Dad," expressing the perspective of a young man, described as an orphan, searching for guidance amidst the complexities of modern life. This search is complicated by the understanding that his father may be incapable of mentoring due to historical societal issues such as sexism and racism.
The poem reflects a common sense of loss and disconnection in America, especially as the once-cherished American dream is often viewed as a myth. The speaker expresses feelings of isolation and seeks to redefine national identity, acknowledging the darker aspects of American history, such as violence against marginalized communities.
The collection houses numerous cultural references, including quotes from the 1992 anthology *Men of Our Time*, as well as nods to works like *The Big Lebowski* and insights from figures such as Viktor Frankl and trans poet Zoe Tuck. The cover art was designed by local artist Paul Richmond.
Leatham's book signing will take place at 1 PM at Untamed Fire, followed by a featured reading at Old Capitol Books in Monterey at 6:30 PM on Friday, October 23. He will also participate in a speaking event and reading on Sunday, December 6, from 4 to 6 PM at the Tanimura & Antle Library (Building 508, Room 1188) on the CSUMB campus as part of the Writers from the Edge series. Readers can purchase *Modern Man* at Bookworks in Pacific Grove, River House Books in Carmel, Untamed Fire in Sand City, or online at meadowlarkbookstore.com. For more information about the poet, visit kentleatham.weebly.com.