On this episode of Our American Stories, beards may feel like a modern trend, but they’ve been shaping ideas about manhood for thousands of years. In some eras, a clean-shaven face signaled order, discipline, and respectability. In others, a beard stood for strength, rebellion, or independence.

Christopher Oldstone-Moore, the author of Of Beards and Men, and a history teacher at Wright State University, tells the surprisingly rich story of how facial hair has risen and fallen alongside changing ideals of masculinity — from ancient Egypt and Greece to royal courts, revolutions, Hollywood, and today’s bearded resurgence.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, beards may feel like a modern trend, but they&rsquo;ve been shaping ideas about manhood for thousands of years. In some eras, a clean-shaven face signaled order, discipline, and respectability. In others, a beard stood for strength, rebellion, or independence. Christopher Oldstone-Moore, the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBeards-Men-Revealing-History-Facial%2Fdp%2F022647920X&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C790fdbdba7e047b6c88708de5776938d%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639044363976971856%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=cG9iM4Q%2FB78OCD9vpZ2LbZaTSlhGl6X88IEqDh72TDI%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Of Beards and Men</a>,&nbsp;and a history teacher at Wright State University, tells the surprisingly rich story of how facial hair has risen and fallen alongside changing ideals of masculinity &mdash; from ancient Egypt and Greece to royal courts, revolutions, Hollywood, and today&rsquo;s bearded resurgence.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Why Men Grow Beards: A Cultural History of Masculinity and Facial Hair

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e77b107e-d7d6-404a-893a-b3d80163caa5/transcript