The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man

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Over thelast year, my 12-year-old son has been doing one challenge everyweek as a rite of ... Full article Podcast #863: Key Insights From the Longest Study on Happiness For more insight into this classic, give a listen to our interview with Maureen Corrigan, the author of So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Malcolm X is one of the most controversial public figures from the Civil Rights Movement. His autobiography shows what a complex man he was. In it, we see his transformation from ignorance and despair to knowledge and spiritual awakening. His emphasis on the principle of self-reliance and taking a stand for your rights can resonate with every man, especially in turbulent political and social times. The Count of Monte Cristoby Alexander Dumas This is the story of a marriage. The Wheelers appear to be a model suburban couple in the 1950s. But did they marry too young? And start a family too soon? Frank’s job is dull and April never saw herself as a housewife. Below the placid surface, both of these self-absorbed partners struggle with desires to escape and to become their true selves, and can’t find happiness with their ordinary lives as they are.Something’s gotta give. The Divine Comedyby Dante Alighieri

Instead of dedicating the entirety of your hobbies to your own pursuits, why not serve others through volunteering; as you aid your fellow man, you will in turn find fulfillment, proper perspective on your own problems, the breaking down of prejudice, and more. While men certainly need time alone with an activity to refresh themselves, spending regular time volunteering offers a unique kind of rejuvenation as well. Photography Robinson Crusoe is the “autobiography” of a castaway who spent 30 years on a remote tropical island. He encounters difficult terrain, less-than-friendly natives, and a variety of other obstacles. It was described and written so realistically — the name Robinson Crusoe was even listed as the author — that many people thought it was about actual events rather than being a novel from the mind of Daniel Defoe. Almost 300 years later, it still holds up. The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Peopleby Stephen Covey If you want insight on how to make love last, you might ask friends, family, a therapist, or a pastor for ... Full article The Challenge of Social Discoordination A classic memoir of adolescence and growing up without a present father. The parents of author Tobias Wolff divorce, and he ends up in his mother’s custody, traveling all over the country and constantly on the move. They develop a very close relationship, but Wolff also has to fight to create his own identity and self-respect when a new stepdad enters the picture. Between adolescent frustrations and schemes, he finds a path towards self-invention that ultimately changes his life. Hatchetby Gary Paulsen Just as soon as the party invitation, funeral notice, or wedding announcement arrives, the familiar ... Full article A Celebration of the Ideal Bachelor From 1906Editor's note: Read Part II when you're done,How to Choose a Watch. No element of men’s ... Full article A Man’s Guide To Wearing Rings

Yet while Achilles may be the perfect embodiment of andreia, and get all the attention and adulation, there is another character who exemplified manliness in The Iliad as well , and actually provides a better roadmap on how most men can achieve it. Achilles: Being Manliness If you’ve wanted to develop your character, you’ve probably thought about strengthening virtues like courage, humility, and resolution. But my guest would say that practicing social skills is another way of increasing your moral strength, and the moral strength of society as a whole. David Brooks is the author of numerous books, including his latest, […] If we don’t learn from the past, we’re doomed to repeat it. Herodotus’ Histories is considered the founding work of history in Western literature, and established the genre as we know it today. It serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures in Western Asia, Northern Africa, and Greece. The Founding Fathers looked to Histories to learn from the mistakes that the ancient Greeks made with democracy, and not repeat them. From Here to Eternityby James Jones In this magnificent but brutal classic of a soldier’s life, James Jones portrays the courage, violence, and passions of men and women who live by unspoken codes and with unutterable despair. Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt is a champion welterweight and a fine bugler, but he refuses to join the company’s boxing team. First Sergeant Milton Anthony Warden knows how to soldier better than almost anyone, yet he’s risking his career to have an affair with the commanding officer’s wife. Hawaii may be paradise on the outside, but not all is rainbows and butterflies. The Thin Red Lineby James Jones In this travelogue, Paul Theroux recounts his four-month journey through Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia on the continent’s fabled trains: the Orient Express, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Mandalay Express, and the Trans-Siberian Express. His well-documented and entertaining adventures have come to be considered a classic in the travel literature genre. This journal satisfies the vicarious traveler and inspires the adventurous man. The Last of the Mohicansby James Fenimore CooperWhy give up this youthful activity though? Bicycling has seen a huge resurgence, both with urban hipsters and amateur athletes alike. While everyone seems to have run in a 5k, participating in bike races is unique enough to make you interesting. If not racing, even just cruising around town by the power of your own two legs is a satisfying endeavor. Mountain biking is another option, and offers the bonus of time spent in the woods. Coffee Roasting

But a few men will hear the old calls and decide to answer. Doing so in our comfortable and luxurious world requires self-will and inner-discipline. It will require you to be proactive. Instead of expending your energy complaining that today’s culture doesn’t value or encourage manliness, you will need to channel it into swimming against the tide, building yourself into a Nietzschean Superman, creating a familial tribe, and surrounding yourself with fellow men of honor. The granddad of books about people skills, the advice found in How to Win Friends and Influence People is still sound and applicable 80 years later. Carnegie writes about skills like making people feel valued and appreciated, ensuring you don’t come across as manipulative (which happens unintentionally more than we think!), and essentially, “winning” people to your viewpoints and ideas. While it can sound a little disingenuous in its description, these are truly skills that people use every day, and this book is a great resource for boning up your social game. Roman Honor by Carlin Barton For millennia, stone lifting was an important part of cultures around the world, and its significance went far beyond feats of strength. Stone lifting was part of weddings and funerals, used as a job interview to assess someone’s fitness as a farmhand, and included in rites of passage and tests of all-around manhood. Much of […] With our archives now 3,500+ articles deep, we’ve decided to republish a classic piece each Sunday to ... Full article The Sometimes, Always, Never Three-Button Rule

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