There is no fictional book more manly than the Odyssey. Odysseus giving up a life of pleasure so he can get home and be with his wife and his son is inspiring. The emphasis on hospitality is important, too, as our culture tends to treat hospitality as a woman's thing.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a good read.
Kipling's If isn't a book, but it is absolutely essential reading.
Really enjoyed this. I'm on a Nevil Shute spree at the moment and would recommend Trustee from the Toolroom (terrible title, great book). Also John Buchan, my favourite is John McNab. Shogun by Clavell. Raymond Chandler. Could go on ...
To me Jane Austen understands men better than most female writers. I would recommend her to men, absolutely. I would recommend "The Whale Road" by Robert Low, "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Remarque (new translation by Kurt Beals), "Butcher's Crossing" by John Williams, and "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa.
“At one point he chops wood all day and after that he just wants to sleep.”
I'm in.
For Sci-fi, Dune also a big manly book *I* would say. For guys dreaming of a heroic last stand for their noble house, and then raising it from the ashes in the name of Holy War.
(I should find someone to give my novel an objective manliness rating...)
Good choices! I read 'Death' about 50 years ago and I still remember it as uncommonly heart wrenching.
What about the book about the geezer, the boat and the fish? Man vs. nature. Or 'Call of the Wild' if you’re into downers. And yes, I’m interested in good books for young boys.
There is no fictional book more manly than the Odyssey. Odysseus giving up a life of pleasure so he can get home and be with his wife and his son is inspiring. The emphasis on hospitality is important, too, as our culture tends to treat hospitality as a woman's thing.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a good read.
Kipling's If isn't a book, but it is absolutely essential reading.
I haven’t read any of those, but now I want to. What’s your preferred version of the Odyssey?
I have a few translations, but the only one I've read cover to cover (and the one a literature professor recommended) is by Robert Fagles.
Really enjoyed this. I'm on a Nevil Shute spree at the moment and would recommend Trustee from the Toolroom (terrible title, great book). Also John Buchan, my favourite is John McNab. Shogun by Clavell. Raymond Chandler. Could go on ...
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve added a few to my list. I read one Chandler book and enjoyed it; I need to return to his work.
I'd also recommend Moby Dick for any man who enjoys good writing, sea adventure, and dick jokes.
To me Jane Austen understands men better than most female writers. I would recommend her to men, absolutely. I would recommend "The Whale Road" by Robert Low, "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Remarque (new translation by Kurt Beals), "Butcher's Crossing" by John Williams, and "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa.
Thanks for the recommendations! Adding them to my list.
“At one point he chops wood all day and after that he just wants to sleep.”
I'm in.
For Sci-fi, Dune also a big manly book *I* would say. For guys dreaming of a heroic last stand for their noble house, and then raising it from the ashes in the name of Holy War.
(I should find someone to give my novel an objective manliness rating...)
Dune has been on my list for a while. Not sure when I’ll get to it, but it’ll happen one of these days.
This is great. And as a man I concur - Yes to Jane Eyre. No to Jane Austen.
Haha! You’re one of the few people I’ve come across on Substack who would pick Bronte over Austen.
Thanks for reading!
Good choices! I read 'Death' about 50 years ago and I still remember it as uncommonly heart wrenching.
What about the book about the geezer, the boat and the fish? Man vs. nature. Or 'Call of the Wild' if you’re into downers. And yes, I’m interested in good books for young boys.
Ooo, yes! Man vs. nature is primed for great choices. I’ll have to look into finding more of those.