Art of Manliness

What's the Manliest Book You Would Like to Read?

Hello guys. I was wondering what the manliest book/novel you've would like to read? Me, I like something with a lot of action or adventure in it, like a man's survival in the wilderness. Or a man's experience, like in a tough sport or a hunting trip. I wish there were more stuff like that.

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Permalink Reply by Nick H on February 25, 2013 at 8:38pm

I know you are looking for action books but I think there are tons that fill that need (James Bond, Jason Bourne, etc) without giving anything else. If you want a whole man's experience, including action but mainly all the rest that makes us men, I'd suggest some Hemingway like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" or "A Farewell to Arms". You have action (Spanish Civil War, Italian Front in WWI) but you also have love, sacrifice, friendship, and all other bits that make up being men with all our complexities.

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Permalink Reply by Sam I. on February 26, 2013 at 10:09am

One of the best books I've read in a long time, (and pour over quite often still), is Six Guns by Elmer Keith. It's a scattering of stories, anecdotes, advice and observations on handgun shooting, guiding, hunting, wildlife photography, police work, firearms, and blow by blow gunfights that actually happened.

For a one man against the wilderness/world piece of fiction, I love To the Far Blue Mountains, by Louis Lamour. I'm fond enough of that protagonist that my wife has had to fend off repeated attempts to name our first son Barnabus.

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Permalink Reply by Chris J. on February 26, 2013 at 3:06pm

Now these sound like some great books to read, especially if it involves doing several manly things. I gotta remember to find these books later. Thanks for your input!

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Kennedy on February 26, 2013 at 4:10pm

Steven Rinella "American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon"

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Permalink Reply by Sam I. on February 27, 2013 at 9:30am

That was a fantastic book, I got it for Christmas a few years ago from my dad. It went on to inspire a canoe borne deer hunt my brother and I ventured on the next November.

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Permalink Reply by Fred S Davenport, Jr on February 27, 2013 at 8:26pm

I have always enjoyed Louis Lamour. Last of the Breed, and Fair Blows the Wind are excellent.

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Permalink Reply by Sam I. on February 28, 2013 at 11:00am

I just recently read Fair Blows the Wind. That was a great tale, and really showed off the author's enviable knowledge of history and geography.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher LeJeune on February 27, 2013 at 9:50am

Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans. I've read it twice and will definitely read it again.

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Permalink Reply by Josh on February 27, 2013 at 3:39pm

I like all the books of Rebecca Gable. Especially the Waringham series. Knights, fights of York and Lancaster; England vs France and Joan of Arc´s victory and burning at the stake...

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Permalink Reply by Victor P. on February 27, 2013 at 4:43pm

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. This is one of my all-time favorite books. The writing is amazing. If Dumas wants you to feel anger, you will be angry, if he wants you sad, you'll be sad. Not only that, but you follow a narrative of a man screwed over by men out for benefit from his fall. Edmond Dantes seeks vengeance and just when you think you got this book figured out, Dumas keeps you reeling. It has Life lessons like this scattered throughout the book:
“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you as Albert Mondego, the man!”

This is definitely a great read!

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Hockley on February 28, 2013 at 1:51pm

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. The main male heros are excellent examples of manliness. Hank Rearden, Francisco d'Anconia, Ragnar Danneskjöld, and of course John Galt all exhibit what I would consider quintessential manliness. If you've never read it, I cannot recommend it highly enough.