Legitimate Self Improvement Books
I'm challenging the community to amass a list of carefully chosen books that contain legitimate and useful information for a man's self improvement and growth in all areas of life.
For example, if we were to choose the topic of "finances" first, I would submit the following:
Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
The Richest Man in Babylon, George Clason
The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley & William Danko
The Wealthy Barber, David Chilton
Only submit books that you've personally read and can guarantee the value of the book's contents. We're not looking for Orzman's or Ramsey's quasi-advertisement publications.
Quality over quantity, gentleman. :)
For example, if we were to choose the topic of "finances" first, I would submit the following:
Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
The Richest Man in Babylon, George Clason
The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley & William Danko
The Wealthy Barber, David Chilton
Only submit books that you've personally read and can guarantee the value of the book's contents. We're not looking for Orzman's or Ramsey's quasi-advertisement publications.
Quality over quantity, gentleman. :)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael D. Denny on -
Jay Levinsons' Guerrilla Marketing.
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Permalink Reply by thehuhman on -
So, how do we define "legitimate"? I'm not sure I know how to do this? Help me. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Brian on -
Just looking for some quality books...not so much the "fluff" that tends to be written nowadays to get the author some quick cash.
An example of what the "fluff" is is No More Mister Nice Guy, Howard Jacobson. The books is basically an advertisement for the author's seminars.
Hope that helps, thehuhman!
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Permalink Reply by thehuhman on
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Thanks Brian. The reason I brought that up about legitimacy; is I feel (for one reason or another) I have read just about all the "fluff" that's out there. And don't even mention something from Oprah's Book Club! I cringe. In fact, a couple years ago, my best friend, gave me a boxed set of CD's featuring a book and its author, with whom she had become quite impressed. I accepted the gift, with much enthusiasm, until I spied that little stick-on label, which identified it as an "Oprah" book. Out of respect for my friend, and her good intentions, I feigned a smile, and then promptly put the gift up on a shelf in my office (never to be opened and/or experienced). I guess I can be pretty closed-minded about certain things.
Then a couple weeks ago, on Father's Day, one of my boys, gave me that same book! At first I thanked him; then I chuckled, and retieved my un-opened box of CD's, complete with two years worth of dust on them. We both laughed at the coincidence, that two people who love me, would want to give me the same gift. Hmmmm. I thought, well, maybe I should be gracious, and accept the gifts. So I did. I began reading the book that night, and couldn't put it down. It really spoke to me. And it has helped me in just about every area of my life. I could see it was helping my son as well.
So, to that end, I have decided to stop labeling, and to open my mind up to some new possibilities! Oh, the name of the book is: "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.
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Permalink Reply by Kultron Vesuvius on
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Not reading a book because it was in Oprah's book club is rather stupid if you ask me. Oprah added Anna Karenina to her book club, one of the best novels of all time and one of my favourites. While some of her choices are meant to appeal to women, that totally doesn't discredit them.
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Permalink Reply by Hallock on -
Supposedly Seven Pillars by T.E. Lawrence has some merits, despite his exaggerations.
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Permalink Reply by Carl M on
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Many years ago I read a book written by Dr Jesse (Jess) Lair, PhD. The title is "I ain't much, baby--but I'm all I've got". It was one of the first "self-help/self-improvement" books out here and if I recall the author even had several psycho-therapy methods published. Later I read another one of his books titled "Sex: If I Didn't Laugh I'd Cry" Both books are excellent reads and if you can't tell by the titles they aren't written like a typical psyshological book. Actually both books deal with looking at ourselves. The second book has to do with realtionships but we can't have successful relationships if we are "broken". He wrote other books but I can only comment on these two. These two books are out of print so you'll have to search used book stores for them. I still refer back to them on occasion so I believe them to be a permanent addition to the book shelf.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Blevins on -
At the risk of life long ridicule and embarrassment, I am going to recommend something... but first some background.
A few years ago I broke up with my girlfriend of 6 yrs, and it was horrible. We were in love, but there was a lot of incompatible baggage, hurt and other obstacles. We called it off, and proceeded to try to "move on". It sucked in a major way.
The worst part was, I couldn't stay away...and seeing as how I initiated the break up... that wasn't good.
She told me that she was reading a great book that helped her to feel good and keep her mind somewhat clear.
The book, written for women in the throes of a break up from hell, is a daily reader for the first 60 days of the break up. It aims to keep you on the righteous path to happiness, and away from the self inflicted heartbreak most bring upon themselves during the initial days of the hellish break up.
I read the book and it was in fact very helpful.
So, yes... I am recommending a chick book in the Art of Manliness forums... but only because I swallowed my pride and read it, and can say that it was helpful to me.
The book is It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken by Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt
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Permalink Reply by thehuhman on
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Adam, don't apologize for reading a book that actually HELPED you! I think it's manly as hell when ANY of us try to better ourselves... ESPECIALLY in matters of relationships.
My conclusion, about many of these "fix-it" type books, is: they work best, when you are in real need. It's like the one I spoke of in my reply, above. I didn't see what that particular book had to do with me, until I was in need of what it had to offer... a full two years later!
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Permalink Reply by Brian on
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Adam,
I'm working actually working through a break up at the moment. I'll definitely take a look at it! Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Adam Blevins on
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Brian,
Sorry to hear it. Things will get better over time. Think of it as opening the next chapter of your life... what adventure is next?
Few things about the book...
1. Its pretty girly, but they do direct some content at guys. The overall message is unisex, I think.
2. The first thing the book talks about is accepting this thing is over, and for a good reason. Like it or not.
3. Second, Entering "she-tox". Do not ommunicate/encounter the Ex. This will keep you from sabotaging yourself or falling for more BS. It is great advice.. probably the best thing in the book...but its hard to do.
Good luck, man!
AB
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