*A History of Virility*, edited by Alain Corbin, Jean-Jacques Courtine, and Georges Vigarello, is a scholarly exploration of the concept of virility and its evolution over time. The book examines how ideas about masculinity and male identity have changed from the Middle Ages to the present day. It explores various dimensions of virility, including its cultural, social, and medical aspects, and how these perceptions have influenced and been influenced by historical events, societal norms, and scientific developments.

Through a series of essays, the book investigates how notions of masculinity have been constructed, challenged, and transformed across different periods and contexts. The editors and contributors offer a comprehensive analysis of how virility has been associated with physical strength, moral character, and social power, and how these associations have shifted in response to changing historical and cultural conditions.