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Man Up!: 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy
From career to relationships and grooming to gaming and more, the guys’ ultimate man-ual for living.
For every guy too intimidated to ask a question for fear of seeming inexperienced and unworldly, here’s a book to answer all (or most!) of life’s pressing How do you break off a friendship when it’s not working any longer? What should you cook when a date is coming over for dinner? How do you buy a used car and not get totally taken for a ride? How do you stop a charging dog?
In Man Up! , journalist Paul O’Donnell and his team of knowledgable experts tackle 367 of these tough questions, imparting their advice in short to-the-point answers. Organized thematically, Man Up! is packed with essential advice delivered in prose that is as entertaining to read as it is helpful and clever. The tips run the gamut―from how to mix up a killer punch for a party to how to throw a punch when there is no other way out. Hip, engaging line drawings help to illustrate the advice, providing more than just sight gags. For every young man newly embarking on his independent adult life and for a guy at any age wanting to brush up on his skills, Man Up! is like having a trusted friend helping you along the way―except this friend has all the right answers!
For every guy too intimidated to ask a question for fear of seeming inexperienced and unworldly, here’s a book to answer all (or most!) of life’s pressing How do you break off a friendship when it’s not working any longer? What should you cook when a date is coming over for dinner? How do you buy a used car and not get totally taken for a ride? How do you stop a charging dog?
In Man Up! , journalist Paul O’Donnell and his team of knowledgable experts tackle 367 of these tough questions, imparting their advice in short to-the-point answers. Organized thematically, Man Up! is packed with essential advice delivered in prose that is as entertaining to read as it is helpful and clever. The tips run the gamut―from how to mix up a killer punch for a party to how to throw a punch when there is no other way out. Hip, engaging line drawings help to illustrate the advice, providing more than just sight gags. For every young man newly embarking on his independent adult life and for a guy at any age wanting to brush up on his skills, Man Up! is like having a trusted friend helping you along the way―except this friend has all the right answers!
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 8, 2016
Got this as a Christmas present, and it made for good bathroom reading. As a selection of things that an American man should know something about, it is solid stuff. Herein you will find financial advice, tips on how to make/fix certain things, and how to deal with a handful of interpersonal situations. E.g. there are sections on poker, clothing, a little business advice, what to do if a friend comes out as gay, some cooking tips, how to deal with speeding tickets, etc. The chances are you will find something worthwhile in here - I did.
July 30, 2020
Actually, the title is deceptive (minus one star for that). This is actually a handy dandy little How-To for anyone, with general adulting tips on skills like how to do minor car repairs & maintenance, how to find and buy a house, how to act at your first "real" job, and so on. Even tips on how to survive in nature. Pretty useful.
However... Mr. O'Donnell. Paul... May I call you Paul? You've poured your 'manly' heart into this book, so I feel we're on a first-name basis here. I'm going call you out on something: Your tip on how to find north at night (if lost in the wilderness...or just outside) is total crap and you make things WAY too complicated. A far better and easier solution is to find Polaris, the North Star, which is the only star in the sky that is static (does not move). You can do so by first locating the Big Dipper, the most recognizable constellation up there, and following the two stars at the edge of the spoon in a straight line. If you can find Polaris, you can find north. If you can find north, you can determine where you are. As long as you're in the Northern Hemisphere, that is (A true man would own up to this and admit that, yeah, maybe his solution isn't the best one). You have failed to earn your Nighttime Navigation Badge and are being sent back to Cub Scouts. Minus another star because I totally caught your mistake.
Otherwise, this is some useful stuff. I just wouldn't go hiking with you. Ever.
Also, based on some of your commentary, I'm guessing you're perpetually single. Amiright?
However... Mr. O'Donnell. Paul... May I call you Paul? You've poured your 'manly' heart into this book, so I feel we're on a first-name basis here. I'm going call you out on something: Your tip on how to find north at night (if lost in the wilderness...or just outside) is total crap and you make things WAY too complicated. A far better and easier solution is to find Polaris, the North Star, which is the only star in the sky that is static (does not move). You can do so by first locating the Big Dipper, the most recognizable constellation up there, and following the two stars at the edge of the spoon in a straight line. If you can find Polaris, you can find north. If you can find north, you can determine where you are. As long as you're in the Northern Hemisphere, that is (A true man would own up to this and admit that, yeah, maybe his solution isn't the best one). You have failed to earn your Nighttime Navigation Badge and are being sent back to Cub Scouts. Minus another star because I totally caught your mistake.
Otherwise, this is some useful stuff. I just wouldn't go hiking with you. Ever.
Also, based on some of your commentary, I'm guessing you're perpetually single. Amiright?
January 26, 2023
Wayy too much out of the point, the best alternative is Brett's Art of manliness guide. This one is way too sided with the pop culture and does not signify masculinity much.
June 11, 2020
This book isn't necessarily bad, but it isn't necessarily good either. It was quite confusing to read, honestly.
There were a lot of interesting and unique insights. There were some good tips on things I haven't thought of. On the flip side, there was a lot of filler too. Some tips shouldn't need to be here, or others are too specific on things I don't really care about. A lot of the time, it's too broad or vague to really teach much of anything.
As a whole, I think it just had too much it wanted to teach with not enough time or space. It means, despite the good advice or intentions, there's a big hole.
There were a lot of interesting and unique insights. There were some good tips on things I haven't thought of. On the flip side, there was a lot of filler too. Some tips shouldn't need to be here, or others are too specific on things I don't really care about. A lot of the time, it's too broad or vague to really teach much of anything.
As a whole, I think it just had too much it wanted to teach with not enough time or space. It means, despite the good advice or intentions, there's a big hole.
September 16, 2022
A good compendium for some young millennial or hayseed who never had the benefit of a reasonable male role models, having watched a classic movie, having looked into the window of an upscale restaurant, wandered through the library, taken an apprenticeship in any decent trade, gone to a church of any kind, or dated anyone that made him want to be a better human being.
That being said: some very dicey advice is mixed in, here.
That being said: some very dicey advice is mixed in, here.
August 1, 2011
Feh, my husband and I hoped/thought it would be funny like Christian Landers "Stuff White People Like". Not so much and if you already didn't know how to use a saw, reading a paragraph in a book is not a good idea. However, it does contain a cheat sheet for poker hands, so maybe I'll learn something!
April 27, 2011
I enjoyed the quick read that this was, the style tips alone were well worth the cost of the book. there's a wide breadth of topics presented here & none in depth, but it provides a very useful jumping off point for furthering one's general knowledge base.
September 5, 2017
Enjoyed all the nudget of practical skills, that I honestly think (in today's world) is as useful for the man as the woman.
No fussing around with long prose, straight and to the point on so, so many skills.
No fussing around with long prose, straight and to the point on so, so many skills.
October 6, 2018
Pretty good general book, some very useful sections. Though I think i'll just call AAA instead of trying to fix my battery or a flat tire. Second half is much more interesting and applicable than the first half, overall still a pretty interesting read.
August 29, 2018
A cool little manual.
January 18, 2019
Liked this, but definitely didn’t love it. It’s easy reading and has some useful insights and practical help. A lot of the things were more common sense than anything.
March 28, 2019
Useful; but unnecessary in a world of Google.
February 9, 2020
Se aproveitar 20% das coisas, é muito.
Apesar de ter um subtítulo de "367 habilidades", muita coisa descrita nem é habilidade.
Algumas coisas são muito específicas para a vida estadunidense também.
Apesar de ter um subtítulo de "367 habilidades", muita coisa descrita nem é habilidade.
Algumas coisas são muito específicas para a vida estadunidense também.
February 22, 2021
Not great
Pretty weak really not great quick read. No real hard substance if you are a guy you should know this stuff already like how to change a tire
Pretty weak really not great quick read. No real hard substance if you are a guy you should know this stuff already like how to change a tire
August 6, 2021
My son received for high school graduation. Some good basic advice covering a wide range of topics (some more useful than others)!
May 5, 2024
Don't know why I bothered finishing the book.
November 15, 2024
Nifty. A little dated. Good to have the free pdf version saved on my phone in case I pop a tire or something. I wouldn’t pay money for this book though. Good for anyone, not just men.
October 22, 2016
It was about as I expected, but had some funny moments. I especially enjoyed the book's criticism of Flemming's James Bond's favorite cocktail, calling it a gag-worthy concoction of vermouth, gin, and vodka. There was also a section on how to avoid a tail, and get attacked by a dog. *shakes my head*
October 6, 2011
Easy fast read that has great tips on everyday skills and questionable behaviors. I especially enjoyed "What can I do to avoid a fist fight" "How do I punch someone" and "What can I do to avoid getting arrested"
February 21, 2012
Definitely some sound tips contained in the book. Provides some things that I wasn't even aware I wanted to know. The book makes for a great time filler, with easily read small snippets of information.
May 1, 2011
Every male that saw this book at my house looked at it and either laughed or dissappeared for a few moments to read a part. Ha!
May 22, 2011
Everything you need to know about being a man but are afraid to ask.
May 25, 2011
I honestly think that this book will be great for older guy readers (20s and older) but I don't know how exciting it will be for the younger teens.
June 24, 2011
This book has a lot of useful information in quick little bites. It is not for a young teen, but it is interesting and enjoyable.
April 12, 2012
Useful information within. Some common sense stuff, but not a bad guide.
May 23, 2014
not a whole lot to it but it's a fun read nonetheless.
July 30, 2015
Title says 367 but my book has only 346 classic skills
The book is an alright read as there are few helpful skills that would be good to master. I just feel duped.
The book is an alright read as there are few helpful skills that would be good to master. I just feel duped.
February 9, 2016
I was given this as a joke present from my sister but I ended up learning a few things from it!
November 13, 2016
This was a fun read! I'll definitely be keeping it on my bookshelf as a reference!
March 17, 2026
I received this book as a Christmas present and was insulted by it. The advice given felt outdated and not really applicable to my life
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews