The dividing line among men's magazines used to be whether they printed photographs of naked women. Playboy and Penthouse did; Esquire and GQ didn't. Save for that distinction, they all tended to paint a consistent portrait of Man Triumphant, although the skin books gave more attention to autos, sports and conspicuous consumption, while their rivals emphasized career climbing, pop culture and dressing for success. Just below the surface, to be sure, the whole category hinted of deep male insecurity: along with the assertions of sophistication and self-confidence came heavy doses of instruction on how to look right and act cool. But...
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