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The Art Of Manliness Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom And Advice On Living The 7 Manly Virtues (2011)

by Brett McKay(Favorite Author)

4.3 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1440312001 (ISBN13: 9781440312007)

languge

English

genre

Poetry

publisher

How Books

review 1: I have mixed feelings about this one. What initially started as an attempt to read something different and fun turned into an exercise in discipline (ironically, this was one of the virtues that the book advocated). It was a surprisingly long book.The book is a collection of stories, poems, songs, speeches, letters centered around different "manly virtues", so in a sense there wasn't anything wrong with the writing-it was a selection of different figures throughout history.Things to enjoy about it were definitely the wide variety of different materials. It got me strangely interested in Jack London, and the chapter on discipline was pretty good.But overall, be careful as you read this book. The philosophy promoted is captured in the one phrase, oft quoted throughout, t... morehat you are the "captain of your soul, the master of your own fate". Someone can get away with saying this and not meaning much behind it other than that we exercise choice, but the dominating theme of the whole book was that men don't need anyone, can do anything they put their mind to, and are literally, the master of their own destinies. I disagree. This philosophy is completely at odds with a christian world-view that says the LORD is sovereign over any and everything in history. We cannot do any and everything, and the one thing we need to do (please God) we cannot do at all. Mankind has sinned, every one of us, and because of sin we are depraved, and have no ability to redeem ourselves. Only by trusting in Jesus can we secure a future, a hope and redemption. Be careful as you read this book, not because it is anti-christian, but because there is an enemy who wants to take you out, and would gladly use this to instill these "manly" virtues provided that you don't develop godly virtues. The devil would love nothing more than a bunch of worldly men who rely on their own strength rather than Christ.
review 2: Admittedly, the cover of this book and the title, "Manvotionals", make this collection easy to dismiss as tacky at first glance. Manvotionals contains a valuable collection of writings of accomplished men from the last two thousand years. The samples of writings are generally short, to the point, and entertaining to read. The chapters are organized by seven "manly" virtues of Manliness, Courage, Industry, Resolution, Self-reliance, Discipline, and Honor. I've learned much history and enjoyed stories, but the ideas and encouragement regarding those virtues is what has stuck with me most: the articulated, wise reflections of what it means to be a great man. I plan to read this book through with each of my children, if I ever have any, while they are growing up. less

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