Just Add Hormones: An Insider's Guide to the Transsexual Experience

I connected with this author's experiences 99% and it helped me so much, not only to confirm that I am indeed trans despite how feminine I was when I identified as female, but also to understand what was ahead, since I was thinking of medical transition before I was even sure I was trans. This book helped me so much, and just when I really needed this kind of help, when I was terrified and alone and uncertain. A year and a half later (since I read the book) I'm now 10 months on T and I'm so happy. This book saved me.

I've read this book twice. Once several years ago and again just recently. This is one of the best books on transitioning from female to male that I've read. I would recommend reading this book to anyone that is considering transitioning, has transitioned, or is close to someone who has transitioned.

This is an excellent read, not just for the trans* community, but for all human beings. Kailey presents a very rational, open-minded approach to the transgender process -- physical, mental, emotional -- and beautifully describes how labels are not just damaging but constricting and unnecessary. Each human being is a unique individual, and should be treated as such, rather than trying to squeeze people into predefined boxes that usually don't truly apply to any one person, let alone a whole group of people. As such, his book spoke eloquently to my libertarian / anarchist philosophy. Also, it helped me feel validated, not just as a gender-nonconforming person, but as a human being in general. We don't need labels to define us for society's convenience. What we need is to live and let live.

I was able to read this book in about an hour and a half. It is a good book for those who know nothing about transexuals, especially the FTM experience. This book is written from the perspective of one who was born female and acted "female", ie wore girly clothes, dated men, got married, etc. She did not become he until the age of 42. I am transitioning myself right now, at age 48. I did not relate to the book that much but there was good information therein. I would recommend it especially to those who were females who wore makeup, heels, got married and were generally seen as female most of their lives, and had to learn to act and look male while transitioning. I did not have this experience myself, as I was called a boy from birth, all during girlhood (even though I had to wear dresses at school in the 60's) and called sir most of my adult life at least 75% of the time. A better book to relate to for those of us who felt male and acted and looked male before we transitioned is Jamison Green's Becoming a Visible Man. BOTH books are great however and I recommend both!

This book is great for anyone who wants to get a first-person perspective on female-to-make gender transition - obviously Matt Kailey doesn't speak for everyone, but his experience gives a good idea of what it's like. I especially appriciated his take on gender stereotypes and gendered expectations - as a man he was no longer "allowed" to show certain emotions (like telling someone that their new baby was "so adorable" because this is seen as unmasculine) or the observation that after having chest surgery he is now allowed to walk around without a shirt, something that he certainly wouldn't have been able to do beforehand.

Outstanding reference. Although fearing that this would be an FTM dissertation, Matt provides a very neutral synopsis of what is reality for the transgendered -- clouding the issues with FTM experiences only because Matt was FTM and has only that experience to draw upon.This is one of my primary references along with another copy purchased for my support group library and wide dissemination of recommendation for others to read.

Matt did such a great job in providing so much information and education on transgender and gender related issues. This is a good read for anyone that has a friend, relative, or loved one that doesn't fit in the typical gender "buckets"Thank you Matt for all that you shared in this book!

This book is great for those who have questions about their change and how to prepare for it. It is not a how to guide, it is a excellent inside look at how your life can or might change.

There were many things in this book that I had never considered, all of which are important to consider. Obviously this is a very important journey to go and and the more you know about what it could be like then the more prepare you are for the ups and downs. Thanks for your bravery in shining the light in the important issues and for being visible for all to see.

This book took a little bit of getting into, he really knows how to labour a point, this is just my opinion, but its just how it comes across. By the mid point of the book I was about to give up, then the text started picking up, the last third of the book made more sense. Its not a bad book, but if you're not keen on droney American texts steer clear it'll do your head in.

I learnt a lot from this book and really enjoyed the authors perspective and writing style. Well worth getting if you are looking for help on this topic

Really nice insights, and general points about society. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about trans people.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was great. The best part was the before and after photos, both in the book and on his site. Unlike the other narcisistic transition stories i have read, Mr Kaylee tends to "unfocus" on himself and paints a broader picture of the community at large.I would have liked to have read more about the actual transition, but it was well done.