Atilla Yoldas is Sweden’s most influential voice on masculinity and inclusion. A journalist, lecturer, and activist. Yoldas draws on personal experience and years of work with adolescents in schools. His ability to translate complex social issues into honest, accessible language makes his books both urgently relevant and deeply human.
The Guy Book
Boys are growing up in the aftermath of a masculinity crisis. From playgrounds to social media, they’re absorbing the message that strength means dominance and that showing emotion is weakness. Behind the jokes and bravado, loneliness and confusion are spreading — while a new generation of macho influencers teaches boys to be angry instead of empathetic. This book gives them another path.
The Guy Book is an engaging and empowering handbook for boys aged 11+, helping them understand emotions, relationships, and the pressures of modern masculinity. Through humour, facts, and relatable examples, the book tackles key topics such as puberty, gender norms, friendship, consent, mental health, homophobia, violence, and the influence of role models. It’s a conversation-starter for classrooms, families, and youth programmes — and a tool for real social change.
Original title: Killboken
Published by: Rabén & Sjögren, May 2025
RIGHTS SOLD:
Danish: Gyldendal
German: Rotfuchs
Bibliography:
Killboken, Rabén & Sjögren (2025)
Typiskt killar!, The Book Affair (2024)
Mansboken, Max Ström (2019)
Review:
"The language is engaging, with a direct tone, and Yoldas succeeds in explaining complex phenomena in a clear way that should suit the target audience very well. The choice of topics and selected examples from children’s media worlds demonstrate that Yoldas has a deep understanding and insight into the challenges children and young people face in today’s society."- BTJ
Typical Boys!
Redefining Masculinity for a New Generation
In Typical Boys! Redefining Masculinity for a New Generation, journalist and activist Atilla Yoldaş explores how to distinguish between healthy masculinity and the toxic traits of macho culture. Drawing on scientific research and statistics, Yoldaş illustrates how ingrained societal expectations can increase boys’ risks of mental health struggles, violence, and even hatred. He poses a critical question: how do we steer boys away from these destructive patterns?
Yoldaş delivers a clear message: no boy should feel the need to harden himself, act tough, or accept mistreatment to earn respect. The time has come to rewrite the harmful narratives imposed on young men by macho culture.
Typical Boys! is an essential guide for parents, educators, and anyone committed to raising boys into compassionate and fair men.