April19,2011AMan'sLife,OnManhood

MensReadingList:34BooksAboutBeingaManSincestartingtheArtofManliness,Ivereadaboatloadofbooksaboutmasculinity,manliness,andsimplybeingaman.Therearebooksoutthereoneveryaspectofthemaleexperiencefrompracticalskillslikecarvingaturkeyanddressingwelltosociologicalstudiesonwhatitmeanstobeamaninhistoryandmodernsocietytomorepoeticexaminationsofthemaleexperience.IfyoureafanoftheArtofManliness,thenyoureprobablyinterestedinallofthesedifferentelementsofbeingaman,sotodayIdliketosharealistofbooksthatIvefoundusefulandthought-provokinginmyownlifeandjourneyintryingtounderstandwhatitmeanstobeaman.Manyofthemcanbeamixedbagbothintermsofqualityandcontentthatjiveswithmyownbeliefs.Butyoullnevergrowasamanonlyreadingthingsthatflatteryourpre-existingnotions!Soifyoureamanwhoslookingtolearnmoreaboutboththefunandserioussidesofmanliness,Ihopethislistcanbearesourceforbookstopickup,study,andenjoy.

TheInnerManandImprovingRelationships

IronJohn:ABookAboutMenThebookthatlaunchedathousandnakeddrummingcircles.IronJohnkick-startedthemythopoeticmensmovementandinspiredmanyofthepeopledoingmensonlycounselingandretreats.PoetRobertBlyusesanoldGrimmsfairytaletoexplainamansgrowthintothematuremasculine.Yourenotgoingtofindalotofpracticaltipsonimprovingyourselfasaman,butIronJohncertainlygivesyoualottothinkabout.Itsabookyoureallyneedtoreadacoupletimesandmeditateon.

FireintheBelly:OnBeingaManKeenarguesthatmentodayneedtorekindletheirfireinthebellyorwhattheancientGreekscalledthumos.Itsthatmanlyspiritednessthatdrivesmentodogreatdeeds.IreallylikesomeofthequestionsKeensuggestsusingforpersonalevaluationasaman.Keendoesarguethatweneedtoredefinewhatitmeanstobeamanandhisideaofmanlinessisprettygranola,eco-conscience,feminist,etc.HealsoadvocatesthenoblesavagemythpopularwithmanyNewAgegurus,arguingthatweneedtoemulateourpeaceful,goddessworshipingancestorsandgiveupourmodern,violentways.Ifthatsortthingmakesyourbloodboil,thenthisprobablyisntthebookforyou.Butifitonlymildlyannoysyou,thenreadit.Therearesomebitsandpiecesofinsightthatanymanfromanyworldviewcanuse.

King,Warrior,Magician,Lover:RediscoveringtheArchetypesoftheMatureMasculineWrittenbyJungianpyschologistRobertMooreandmythologistDouglasGillette,King,Warrior,Magician,LoverlooksatmaledevelopmentthroughthelensofJungianarchetypes.AccordingtoMoore,masculinityismadeupoffourarchetypalmaleenergieswhichservedifferentpurposes.Theauthorsarguethattobecomeacompleteman,amanmustworktodevelopallfourenergies.Mooredescribesthecharacteristicsofthefourarchetypesandprovidessuggestionsonhowtodevelopthemthroughmeditationandritualritesofpassage.KWMLhasinspiredmanyofthemensgroupsexistingtoday.Personally,IthoughttheveryheavyJungian-ladenrhetoricmadethebookabitofaslogtogetthrough.IlikeJung,butthewayMoorepresenteditmadeithardtogetyourmindaround.

TheWayoftheSuperiorMan:ASpiritualGuidetoMasteringtheChallengesofWomen,Work,andSexualDesireIhadseveralAoMreaderssuggestthisbooktome,soIboughtitandreadit.DavidDeidaconcentratesonwhatheseesasthedifferentpolaritiesofmenandwomen,andthewaythesepolaritiescreateattraction.Thereareafewinterestinginsightsonbecomingaman,butoverallIfoundthebookfilledwithpop-psychologyfluff.TheauthorisprettypopularinNewAge/pick-upartistcircles.Whilemanyseehimasaspiritualguruformen,hesadmittedthatheconsidershimselfmoreofanentertainerthanateacher.DontknowifIdtrustaguywithmyspiritualdevelopmentwhothinkshesjustajester.

NoMoreMr.NiceGuy!Doyourwomenfriendstellyouyoudbeagreatcatch,yetyourealwaysdatelessonFridaynight?Doyoufeellikeadoormatinyourmarriageandatwork?AccordingtoDr.RobertGlover,youhaveNiceGuySyndrome.Inthisbook,Dr.GloverexplainswhymenwithNiceGuySyndromehaveproliferatedintheWestduringthepast30years.Evenbetter,helaysoutspecific,concretethingsamancandotogetoverhisNiceGuySyndrome.Ithoughtthiswasagreatbookforguyswhofeelliketheyregettingpushedaroundinlife.ManyAoMreadershaveemailedmetosayhowmuchthisbookhashelpedthem.Butifthingsaregoingprettywellforyouinlife,thenthebookprobablywontdotoomuchforyou.ListentomypodcastinterviewwithDr.Glover.

BeingtheStrongManaWomanWants:TimelessWisdomonBeingaManThisisaquickreadpackedwithsomegoodinsightsonbeingastrongmanforthewomaninyourlife.Thebookisactuallyastoryaboutayoungmanwhosrecentlymarriedandishavingmaritalproblems.HevisitsGrandpaforadayhikeandalongthewayhegetssomesageadviceonhowtobealeaderinafamily.Ithoughtthisbookwasokay.Theauthorschoiceofusingastorytoconveyadvicewascreative,butitcameoffalittlecheesy.Ihadtolookpasttheschmaltzinordertotakeanythingawayfromthebook.Listentomypodcastinterviewwiththeauthor,ElliotKatz.

HoldontoYourNUTs:TheRelationshipManualforMenMenscounselorandfounderofBetterMen,WayneLevine,helpsmenimprovetheirrelationshipsandbecomethementheywanttobe.InHoldontoYourNUTs(NUTs=Non-negotiable,unalterable,terms)Waynegivesmenthetoolstheyneedtobecomeconfidentandself-assured.WhatIparticularlylikeaboutthisbookishowpracticalitis.WaynehaswrittenpostsforAoMbefore,andthecommentsarealwaysverydivided;somepeoplelikehiskick-in-the-pants,nononsenseapproachandsomechafeathistone.Personally,Imafan.Waynesnotmuchforhand-holdingandsittingaroundtalkingaboutyourproblems,butinsteadadvocatestakingactiontoimproveyoursituation.Youllfindthatsameapproachinthisbook.Ialsoappreciatethefactthatthebookisusefulformenwhoareindifferentplacesinlife.Somanyoftherelationship/innermanbooksarewrittenformenwhohavebigtimeproblems.Evenifyoureawell-adjustedadultman,youllfindsomethingusefulinHoldontoYourNUTs.

TheKingWithin:AccessingtheKingintheMalePsycheTheLoverWithin:AccessingtheLoverintheMalePsycheTheMagicianWithin:AccessingtheShamanintheMalePsycheTheWarriorWithin:AccessingtheKnightintheMalePsycheThesefourbooksareanexpansionontheideasfoundinKing,Warrior,Magian,Lover.Eachbookgoesintomoredepthabouteacharchetype.IfyoureafanofJungianpsychologyandenjoyedKWML,Idefinitelyrecommendthesebooks.ThebooksareprettyrareandcanbeexpensiveonAmazon.com,butIfoundcopiesfor$5apopatmylocalusedbookstore.

WhatIsaMan?3,000YearsofWisdomontheArtofManlyVirtuePhilosophyandpoliticalscienceprofessorWallerNewellcombedthroughtheannalsofWesternthoughttofindliteratureonthesubjectofmanhood.ThebookisbrokenupintosectionslikeTheChivalrousMan,TheGentleman,andTheStatesman.WithineachsectionyoullfindexcerptsfromthelikesofShakespeare,Homer,andLockeonwhatitmeanstobeaman.Theresultisa560pagebehemothofananthology.IreallyliketheideabehindWhatisaMan?NewellsvisionofencouragingmanlyvirtueisrightinlinewithwhatweredoinghereattheArtofManliness.WhenIreadthefantasticintroductioninWhatisMan?Ihadgreatexpectationsforthebook.ButIquicklyfoundmyselfdisappointed.First,manyoftheselectionsreallydonthaveanythingtodowithmanlinessorevenaboutthevirtuetheselectionwassupposedtohighlight.Also,mostoftheselectionswerentverystirring.MyothercriticismisthatNewellcouldhavedoneabetterjobeditinghisselections.Severaloftheselectionsgoonandonandareprettydense.Consequently,themainpointthathestryingtoconveyfromtheselectiongetslost.Itsabookthatendsupsittingontheshelfinsteadofbeingread.Ourupcomingbook,Manvotionals:TimelessWisdomandAdviceonLivingtheSevenManlyVirtues,isinsomewaysaresponsetoWhatIsaMan?ItriedtomakeupforthedeficienciesIfoundinWhatisaMan?byselectingexcerptsthatwereonpoint,packedwithwisdom,andreadable.Theresultisananthologythatsinspiring,educational,andenjoyabletoread.Cantwaittosharethebookwithyou.

TheCodeofMan:Love,Courage,Pride,Family,CountryTheCodeofManisWallerNewellsfollow-uptohisfirstbookWhatisaMan?InTheCodeofManNewellarguesthatmodernmenhavelosttouchwithvaluesandvirtuesthathavedefinedmanlinessforthousandsofyears.Consequently,manymen(particularlyyoungmen)arelost,confused,andangry.Newellbelievesthattheroadtorecoveryistakenalongthefivepathstomanliness:love,courage,pride,family,andcountry.UsingWesternwritersandthinkerslikeAristotleandHemingway,amongothers,Newellattemptstoguidemendownthepathtoachievingamanlyheart.IreallyenjoyedTheCodeofMan,andIthoughtitwasamuchbetterbookthanWhatIsaMan?.Thegreatintroductionmakescheckingoutthebookworthwhileinandofitself.NewellsideaofhonorableandvirtuousmanlinessismuchmoreclearinTheCodeofManthaninWhatIsaMan?IthinkifyouenjoytheideaofmanlinessthatweespouseonAoM,thenyoullenjoythisbook.

WildatHeart:DiscoveringtheSecretofaMansSoulThebestwaytodescribethisbestsellingbookisthatitstheChristianversionofIronJohn.JohnEldredge,leaderofRansomedHeartMinistries,criticizeshowmanymodernChristianchurcheshavemadeChristianmensoftandwimpy.WildatHeartisacalltoChristianmentogetintouchwiththeirWildMan.EldredgeusesBiblicalfigureslikeJesusandJohntheBaptistasarchetypalWildMenthatChristianmenshouldemulate.HealsousesthestoryofAdamandEveaswaytoexploremasculinedevelopment,muchlikeBlydidwiththeIronJohnmythinhisbook.ThisisafavoritebookamongAoMreaders.Icantcountthenumberoftimesreadershaverecommendedthisbooktome.Overall,Ithoughtitwasadecentbookthatofferedsolidfoodforthought,butitdoesnttopmypersonallistoffavorites.IfyoureaChristianmanwhofeelslikethereisawoundinyoursoul,thisbookwilllikelyreallyresonatewithyou(althoughsomeChristianscriticizethebookbecauseEldredgestheologydoesnotalignwiththeirown).Ifyourelookingforpracticaladviceand/orarenotatheist,itwontlikelyhitthesweetspot.

NoMoreChristianNiceGuy:WhenBeingNiceInsteadofGoodHurtsMen,WomenAndChildrenThisisanotherbookwrittenbyaChristianministerwhofocuseshisministryonmen.LikeEldredge,PaulCoughlinlamentsthepassivityandwussinessofChristianmen.HealsocriticizeshowmodernChristianityhaseffemenizedChristintoacharacterwhopatschildrenontheheadandspendshisdayspettinglambs.CoughlinsortofpicksupwhereEldredgeleftoff.WhileEldredgedoesagoodjobexplainingthespiritualangstofChristianmen,Coughlingivesaconcreteroadmaponhowtoimprovethings.

TheCompleatGentleman:TheModernMansGuidetoChivalryIntheCompleatGentleman,authorBradMinergivesathoroughhistoryoftheideaofchivalryintheWest.YoulllearnabouttheArthurianlegendthatimmortalizedchivalryandaboutasixteenth-centurywriter,BaldassareCastiglione,whoadvisedRomanEmperorsontheartofsprezzatura.Minerthengoesontosetoutthreeroleseverymanshouldseektoembodyinordertobeacompleatgentlemanwarrior,lover,andmonk,andexplainshowamodernmancanfulfilltheseroles.IreallyenjoyedMinerspracticaladviceonbecomingagentlemanandhissectiononsprezzatura.ThesectiongivingthehistoryofagentlemanwassortoftediousandIhadtosargethroughit.Ilikehistory,Ijustdidntlikehowitwaspresentedinthisbook,butothershavesaidtheyreallyenjoyedthehistorypart.Likeallthings,itcomesdowntotaste.Healsosprinklesinsomeconservativepoliticalviewpoints,whichcanbeabitdistractingforsome.

CulturalandSociologicalStudiesofManlinessandMasculinity

ManlinessHarvardprofessorHarveyMansfieldcreatedquiteastiramongacademicswiththisbook,whichcriticizesourgender-neutralsocietyanddefendsmanlinessasavirtue.Mansfieldusesliterature,history,andsciencetodefinemanlinessastheabilitytotakeonriskswithconfidenceandgusto.Mansfieldmakessomeinsightfulpoints,butthosepointsarefewandfarbetween.Thebookispoorlyorganizedandwritten.Mansfieldjumpsallovertheplace,andhisargumentscanbehardtofollowattimes.Infact,forthisveryreasonIstoppedreadingthebookhalfwaythroughthefirsttimeIpickeditup.Igaveitanotherchanceafewmonthslater,andIhadtoforcemyselftofinishit.TherearewholechapterswhereitseemslikehejustjumbledabunchofquotesfromNietzscheandDarwintogether,putinthewordmanliness,andcalleditaday.IhadhighhopesforManliness,butitjustfellflatforme.

IsThereAnythingGoodAboutMen?HowCulturesFlourishbyExploitingMenPyschologistRoyBaumeisterflipsthefeministargumentthatwomenhavebeenoppressedandexploitedonitsheadandarguesthatitsactuallytheotherwayaround:menaretheonesthatsocietyexploits.Baumeisterarguesthatthroughouthistorymenhavebeenseenasmoreexpendablethanwomen;theyreoneswhowenttowar,tookthedirtyjobs,andsacrificedtheirlives.Baumeisterusesstudiesfromthegrowingfieldsofevolutionarypsychologyandsociobiologytoexplainwhycultureshaveexploitedmenthewaytheyhave.Baumeisterarguesthatmuchofmaleandfemalebehaviorishardwiredandthatthesedifferencesshouldbeusedtocomplementeachotherinsteadofasfodderforthegenderwar.Thebookisareallyinterestingread,buthonestly,thearticlehewrotethatbecamethebooksumsuphismainpointsmuchmoresuccinctly.ListentomyinterviewwithDr.Baumeister.

MentoBoys:TheMakingofModernImmaturityWhydoesitseemmanymenthesedaysarejustabunchofboyswalkingaroundinmensbodies?Whilemanypeoplethinkthemanboyisarecentculturalphenomenon,historyprofessorGaryCrossarguesthatmodernmaleimmaturityhasbeeninthemakingfornearly100yearsintheUnitedStates.Crossexplorestheculturalandeconomicfactorsthathavecontributedtomenshirkingresponsibilityandindulginginpastimesandconsumerproductscommonlyassociatedwithteenagers.ListentomypodcastwithDr.Cross.

SavetheMales:WhyMenMatter,WhyWomenShouldCareSavetheMalesisabookwrittenbyfemalewriter,KathleenParker,whocriticizesthefeministmovementforcreatingthemale-bashingculturethatstakenrootinAmericaduringthepast30years.Shethengoesontoarguehowtheanti-malerhetorichasbeenbadforbothmenandwomen.Parkerraisessomeinterestingpoints,anditsrefreshingtoseeafemalewriteractuallydefendmenfromfeministattacks,butoverallIwasntafanofthebook.AlotofParkersconclusionsarebasedonanecdotalevidence,andshetriestoohardtoinjecthumorinthebook.Thefunnyasidesandsnarkyremarksgettiresome.

TheDeclineofMales:TheFirstLookatanUnexpectedNewWorldforMenandWomenDr.LionelTigerisanthropoloistatRutgersUniversityandisaleaderinthegrowingfieldofMaleStudies.InhisbookTheDeclineofMales,TigerarguesthatthebiggestreasonmenhavebeenstrugglinginWesternsocietyisbecausetheyvebeenalienatedfromthemeansofreproduction.Usingstudiesfromhisworkinsociobiologyandanthropology,TigerlaysoutanargumentexplainingwhythebirthcontrolpillhasbeenoneofthebigestcontributorstothedeclineofmenintheWest.Overall,thebookisaveryinterestingread.Therearesomepartswherehisargumentsandwritingarehardtofollow.Ihadtore-readhisstuffacoupleoftimestogetwhathewastryingtosay.Butitsworthwhiletodigintoit.ListentomypodcastinterviewwithDr.Tiger.

ManhoodinAmerica:ACulturalHistoryWanttoknowwhatmanlinessmeanttomenthroughoutAmericanhistory?Thenpickupacopyofthisbook.SociologyandMensStudiesprofessorMichaelKimmelcreatedthefirstandstillbestculturalhistoryonmasculinityinAmerica.IvereadthisbookseveraltimesandalwaysfindinterestingtidbitseachtimeIpickitup.Thebigtakeawayfromthisbookisthatwhiletherearesomekeyfeaturesofmanlinessthatneverchange,themeaningofmasculinityinAmericahasebbedandflowedthroughouthistory.WhileIadmireKimmelsthoroughhistoricalresearch,andmostofthebookisasolidreadbasedonthatresearch,myquibblewiththisbookistheturnittakesattheend.ThelastcoupleofchaptersdispensewiththehistoricalproofinfavorofKimmelscriticismofAmericanmasculinityandhisproposalforanewideaofmanliness,whichisbasicallytostripitofanythinguniqueandformentobecomemorelikewomen.Hepaintsmensrightsadvocatesaswhiners,mensretreatparticipantsasfruits,andthosewholooktothepastasmisogynistswhocantmoveonandgetwiththeprogram.Kimmelsdefinitelyaliberalfeminist(hegraduatedfromVasserCollege),andhedoesntliketraditionalnotionsofmanliness.Hesoftencriticizedforvillainizingmenandglorifyingwomen.Bottomline,readthisbookforthehistoryandtheawesomeresourcesKimmelhasuncovered;skimoverthepontificating.

Guyland:ThePerilousWorldWhereBoysBecomeMenThisisanotherbookwrittenbyfeministmensstudieswriter,MichaelKimmel.InGuyland,Kimmelsetsouttoexplainthesociologicalandculturalfactorsthathavecontributedtoyoungmenextendingadolescencewellintotheirtwenties.Well,atleastthatswhatIthoughtthebookwouldbeaboutwhenIfirstpickeditup.InsteadKimmelgrindshiswomenaregood/menarebadaxebypaintingapictureofyoung,whitemenasangry,lazy,misogynistic,sexpredators.Attheendofthebook,Kimmelproposesanewtakeonmasculinityforyoungmenthatisofcourselessmasculineandmorefeminine.TherewereafewinterestingtidbitsthroughoutGuyland,particularlyhowculturalandracialdifferencesaffectthebehaviorofyoungmen.

AmericanManhood:TransformationsinMasculinityfromtheRevolutiontotheModernEraLikeMichaelKimmelsManhoodinAmerica,AnthonyRotundosAmericanManhoodgivesaconcisehistoryofmanlinessinAmerica.UnlikeKimmel,Rotundoisabletomaintainabitmoreobjectivityanddoesntbludegonthereaderintheheadwithanti-malerhetoric.WhileAmericanManhooddoesagoodjobdescribingthechangingfaceofmanlinessthroughoutAmericanhistory,ManhoodinAmericaisbetterresearchedandwritten.

ManhoodintheMaking:CulturalConceptsofMasculinityWhilemanyofbooksonthislistfocusonAmericanorWesternmasculinity,ManhoodintheMakingisacross-culturalstudyofmanliness.AnthropologistDavidGilmoreanalyzestheculturesoftheworld,especiallytribalcultures,andfindsuniversalnotionsofwhatmanlinessmeanswithinthosesocieties.Thisbookisabitmoreacademicthanmanyofthebookshere,butdefinitelyaworthwhileread.

StyleandEtiquetteBooksforMen

EsquiresTheHandbookofStyle:AMansGuidetoLookingGoodEsquireMagazinehasbeenanauthorityonmensstyleforover70years,soitsonlynaturalthattheywroteabookonthesubject.TheEsquireHandbookofStyleiscrammedwithusefulinformationonhowtobemoredapper.IfyoureadEsquiresbi-annualstylespecial,TheBigBlackBook,youllfindtheformatandlookofTheHandbookofStyleverysimilar.Infact,manyofthesectionsinthisbookweretakendirectlyfrompreviouseditionsofTheBigBlackBook.Andofcourse,theHandbookofStylehasplentyofthatcheeky,Esquirehumorthatmillionsofreadershavegrowntolove,whichmakesthebookanenjoyableread.Ifyourelookingforsomebasicstyleadviceforallaspectsofyourlifethatsfuntoread,pickupthisbook.

Gentleman:ATimelessGuidetoFashionBernhardRoetzelsbook,ATimelessGuidetoFashion,isabeautifullyphotographedtourofmensstyle.TheauthorisGermanandhasadecidedlyEuropeansenseofstyle.Consequently,thebookfocusesprimarilyonEuropeanmensstyleandgivesAmericanstyletheshortshrift.Ifoundthephotoshighlightingdifferentfabrictypeshelpfulforsomeonewhousedtobecluelessaboutthatsortofthing.AoMsstylewriter,AntonioCenteno,isafanofthisbook.Checkouthisreviewhere.

DressingtheMan:MasteringtheArtofPermanentFashionAmericanmensstyledesignerAlanFlusserpennedthisimageheavybookonthetimelesselementsofmensstyle.Ifyourelookingtobuildawardrobethatwillstilllookgood20yearsfromnow,getthisbook.Flusserexplainshowtomixpatternsandfabrics,whatkindsoftiestowearwithdifferentkindsofshirtcollars,whatbusinesscasualactuallymeans,andmuch,muchmore.Ofcourse,youcanfindalotofinformationinDressingtheManforfreehereonAoMthankstoourstylewriter,Antonio.ButIdatleastcheckoutthisbookfromyourlibrary,ifonlytolookatthepictures.

StyleandtheManWrittenbythesamegentlemanwhobroughtyouDressingtheMan,StyleandtheManisashorttreatiseonthebasicsofclassicmensstyle.ThisbookisntasimageheavyasDressingtheMan.InsteadoffullcoloredphotographslikethereareinDressingtheMan,StyleandtheManusessimpleblackandwhiteillustrations.Personally,Ipreferthenicepictures,probablybecauseIhavethebrainofapre-schooler.ThebigbenefitStyleandtheManhasoverDressingtheManisprice.StyleandtheManisabout$35cheaperthanDressingtheManandyoubasicallygetthesameinformation.CheckoutAntonioCentenosreviewofthisbookonAmazon.

TheBeardedGentleman:TheStyleGuidetoShavingFaceAlanPeterkinwroteaculturalhistoryoffacialhairin1,000Beards.Inthisfollow-up,Peterkinfocuseslessonthehistoryofbeardsandmoreonhowtogrowandmaintainone.Youllfindadviceonchoosingthebestfacialhairstyleforyourfaceandheadshapeaswellasinfooncreatingthethebestshavekit.Peterkindoesagoodjobinjectinghumorthroughoutthebooksoitsafunread.

HowtoBeaGentleman:ATimelyGuidetoTimelessMannersJohnBridgeshascreatedanempireteachingmenhowtobegentlemen.HowtobeAGentlemanisthefirstofmanyetiquettebooksBridgeshaswrittenformen.Youllfindadviceonallaspectsoflifefromwhattowearonspecialoccasionstotheinsandoutsofpropercellphoneetiquette.Itsashortbookandwouldmakeagreatgiftforayoungmanabouttoheadofftocollegeorwhojustlandedhisfirstjob.

EssentialMannersforMen:WhattoDo,WhentoDoIt,andWhyPeterPostisthegreat-grandsonofthematriarchofmanners,EmilyPostandisadirectorattheEmilyPostInstitute.Basicallythisguyisanetiquetteexpert.HestakenhisexperiencegrowingupinthePostfamilyalongwithhisworkteachingmannerstobusinesspeopleallovertheworldtocreateabookonmannersdirectedjustatmen.Thebookisdividedintothreesections:EverydayLife,SocialLife,andOntheJob.WhatsniceaboutPostisthathehasaverycommonsenseapproachtoetiquette.Manybooksespouseveryrigidandoftenarbitraryrules.EssentialMannersforMenencouragesmentousecommonsensewhenitcomestogoodmanners.

TheModernGentleman:AGuidetoEssentialManners,SavvyandViceThisisanotherbookthatseveralAoMreadershavesuggestedtome.TheModernGentlemanisco-authoredbyPhineasMollodandJasonTesauro.Thebookisbrokenintosectionsaboutgentlemanlyknowledge,style,andmanners.Thetableofcontentsmakesitlooklikethisisapractical,no-nonsensebook,butafewpagesintoitIrealizedthesetwogentswrotethisbookwithtonguefirmlyplacedincheek;forexample,theyofferadviceonhowtohideandsipalcoholfromaflaskatworkorwhenmeetingyourfianceesparents.Thereisntmuchusefulinfointhebookandwhentheydooffersomepracticalinformation,theypresentitinawaythatmakesithardtofollow.Ialsothoughtthewritingwasquitepompousandpretentious,sothatitcomesoffasiftheyaretryingtoohardtosoundsophisticatedandsmart.Somepeoplewillprobablyenjoytheflowerystyle,butpersonally,Imaguythatlikeshisinformationpresentedinastraightforwardmanner.Bestpieceofinformationinthisbook:HowtoSaberaChampagneBottle.

ManSkills

TheCompleteWorst-CaseScenarioSurvivalHandbook:ManSkillsYouveprobablythumbedthroughacopyofoneoftheWorstCaseScenarioSurvivalHandbooksbefore.TheManSkillseditionisamassivecompendiumoftheirbestsurvivalskillsallinasinglebook.Inthissquatlittlevolumeyoullfindouthowtoescapeaferociousdog,howtodealwithbadbreathonadate,andhowtospotacardcheat.Greatbooktohavenearthetoilet.

HowtoCarveaTurkey:And99OtherSkillsEveryManShouldKnow(PopularMechanics)AfewyearsagoPopularMechanicspublishedanarticlehighlighting100skillseverymanshouldknow.Theyvetakenthatlist,addedmoredetailintheirexplanations,andturneditintoaneasytoreadbook.

TheUltimateMansSurvivalGuide:RediscoveringtheLostArtofManhoodThisisafunbookfilledwithimportantmanskillslikeshootingashotgunandsurvivinginthewild.Ilovethewayitlooks,too.Ithasahandsome,vintagemanlyfeel.

TheArtofManliness:ClassicSkillsandMannersfortheModernManWhatmanbooklistwouldbecompletewithoutthismanlyclassic?ItstheArtofManlinessinanalogformat.Publishedin2009,TheArtofManliness:ClassicSkillsandMannersfortheModernManisaguidebooktohelpanymanrediscoverthelostartsofmanliness.Thebookcouldreallyfitinseveralofthesecategories;withinitspagesyoulllearnhowtogetfittedforasuit,howtostartafirewithoutmatches,andhowtocultivatesolidfriendshipswithmenandromanticrelationshipswithwomen.

Iplanonaddingmorebookstothislist.SoIreallywanttohearyoursuggestions!WhichbooksaboutmenandformendoyouthinkIshouldcheckoutandaddtothelist.Shareyoursuggestionswithmeinthecomments.Andofcourseifyoudisagreewithmyreviewofoneofthebooksonhere,fireawayandadvocateforyourfavorite.Brett4Comments

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