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The True Measure of a Man, How Perceptions of Success, Achievement & Recognition Fail Men in Difficult Times
“Richard tells men who they really are. He gives them what they need to finally ‘get it.’”
—from the foreword by Jerry Leachman
Men just “get” this book! It seems to resonate with them. Men who don’t normally read many books read this one and then want to get it into the hands of others. Why? Because Richard Simmons “gets it”—he identifies the ultimate issue all men face regardless of their age, occupation, or marital status.
“Men so often define themselves by what they do, who they know, or what they own. And when they do so, they unwittingly set themselves up for great confusion and failure in their personal lives.” —Richard Simmons
Gathering support from the writings of noted authors and social commentators, Christian and secular, Simmons emphatically reminds us that every man at some point in life suffers misfortune. No one is exempt. However, the challenges of life offer men the potential for great good. In the midst of these struggles, Simmons writes, we have the opportunity to see our lives transformed.
THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN is uplifting, challenging, and most of all it points the way to personal and spiritual growth—based on the one, true measure we were meant to use!
THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN creates a new benchmark for success. With the free, downloadable study guide, it serves as a superb resource for men’s groups and church ministries. This book will change your life…and, perhaps, the lives of those closest to you.
What people are saying about THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN:
“Richard E. Simmons’ book is so full of common sense and practicality.
It is especially poignant and meaningful at such a critical time in our country . . .”
—Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters Tournament champion
“THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN is a book I wish I had written, which is
about the best compliment I can pay to any book. It is what I would call a
great read—both accessible and profound in its understanding of
the inner forces that make up the male psychology . . .”
—Bob Buford, author of HALFTIME and FINISHING WELL
“THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN is a book for every man of every faith
or no faith at all. He’ll learn why he doesn’t have to live with the guilt,
insecurity, and fear that most men experience but often pretend they don’t.”
—Fred Barnes, Executive Editor, THE WEEKLY STANDARD, and Fox News commentator
“If you can relate to any of the following, you will definitely want to
soak in . . . THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN: You are weary, you’ve lost your way,
or never found it. You want to know how you got off track, get your
bearings back, and figure out what really matters . . .”
—Patrick Morley, PhD, author of THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
“THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN captures the importance of character over achievement. Richard connects the dots for men who are looking for
something more in their lives than mere success.”
—Coach Bill McCartney, founder of Promise Keepers
—from the foreword by Jerry Leachman
Men just “get” this book! It seems to resonate with them. Men who don’t normally read many books read this one and then want to get it into the hands of others. Why? Because Richard Simmons “gets it”—he identifies the ultimate issue all men face regardless of their age, occupation, or marital status.
“Men so often define themselves by what they do, who they know, or what they own. And when they do so, they unwittingly set themselves up for great confusion and failure in their personal lives.” —Richard Simmons
Gathering support from the writings of noted authors and social commentators, Christian and secular, Simmons emphatically reminds us that every man at some point in life suffers misfortune. No one is exempt. However, the challenges of life offer men the potential for great good. In the midst of these struggles, Simmons writes, we have the opportunity to see our lives transformed.
THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN is uplifting, challenging, and most of all it points the way to personal and spiritual growth—based on the one, true measure we were meant to use!
THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN creates a new benchmark for success. With the free, downloadable study guide, it serves as a superb resource for men’s groups and church ministries. This book will change your life…and, perhaps, the lives of those closest to you.
What people are saying about THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN:
“Richard E. Simmons’ book is so full of common sense and practicality.
It is especially poignant and meaningful at such a critical time in our country . . .”
—Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters Tournament champion
“THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN is a book I wish I had written, which is
about the best compliment I can pay to any book. It is what I would call a
great read—both accessible and profound in its understanding of
the inner forces that make up the male psychology . . .”
—Bob Buford, author of HALFTIME and FINISHING WELL
“THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN is a book for every man of every faith
or no faith at all. He’ll learn why he doesn’t have to live with the guilt,
insecurity, and fear that most men experience but often pretend they don’t.”
—Fred Barnes, Executive Editor, THE WEEKLY STANDARD, and Fox News commentator
“If you can relate to any of the following, you will definitely want to
soak in . . . THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN: You are weary, you’ve lost your way,
or never found it. You want to know how you got off track, get your
bearings back, and figure out what really matters . . .”
—Patrick Morley, PhD, author of THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
“THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN captures the importance of character over achievement. Richard connects the dots for men who are looking for
something more in their lives than mere success.”
—Coach Bill McCartney, founder of Promise Keepers
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2010
86 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 1, 2024
This book is deep. It is not by any means a long read, but its thought provoking and highly introspective for any man to explore and read. The premise is that as men we are living to a false expectation of success focusing on impressing others through comparisons and external image. This focus takes away ensuring our internal image as men is nurtured and identified as the true measure of success. The author centers on a consistent and evolving relationship with Jesus Christ offers the greatest opportunity for a man to do this internal work. He uses the bible, famous male figures, and short stories to help drive this point home. I found the use of these various sources over explaining simple well-made points and make some chapters come across as more dense than necessary. I still enjoyed this book, and it offered me a great perspective to ensure I am focused as a man on the right things that makes life a success.
September 18, 2020
Inadequately Christian.
After some thought, I decided to expand my comments from the two words above. The day after I finished this, a friend asked me over lunch if I had ever ready books that I really hated, so much that I just stopped reading them. I told him that usually it's not the books I hate the most that I chose not to finish. The ones I hate the most, I usually finish. I don't think this book falls in that category. (Ken Nair's Discovering the Mind of a Woman definitely does, though.) Rather, I really hoped for this to be a good book, and I kept thinking there was a chance the author was building up to it, to lay it all out in full glory in the last chapter. But it disappointed.
First off, I really applaud the author's targeting of a particular social ill in our society: the pressure, especially on certain type of men, to find their value in their success, their achievements, their portfolio, etc. These things cause them to neglect what is most important in life (their families often foremost of these!), to come to the end of life with far too much regret. And in the midst of a severe economic downturn, many who have lost all the things they've built their entire identity and self-worth on are brought to the point of suicide. The author clearly and helpfully exposes these problems.
Second, the book is no merely secular self-help or recovery book. The single person most frequently cited (by my impression, and not by actual count) was Tim Keller. C. S. Lewis was also frequently mentioned (and often in particular through Armand Nicholi's The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life--a favorite book of mine). And that a distinctly Christian faith was in view was present throughout. (Beyond this, there were stories and illustrations and testimonies drawn from literature, athletic and professional coaching, and occasionally from religious authors whose orthodoxy is not beyond question).
But in the end, it seemed only like a Christian-flavored book, and the Christian element amounted to little more than an artificial flavoring. The inadequacy was more in what was missing than what was asserted. I'll explain this under three headings:
Scripture Cited: It first started to stand out around p. 48 with the citation of Isaiah 55 that the author was using Scriptures as often with complete disregard to their context as not. Here we are told that God's thoughts and ways are not ours. But in context, this principle is stated in the face of a very specific (and beautiful) way in which God's dealings are different than what we find among men. Is it wrong to reference the generality connected to a different specificity? No, I think not. But as examples piled up, I started to notice that it seemed that Scriptures were used more often to illustrate the author's points rather than the author's words being chosen to illustrate the Scripture's points.
Doctrines Examined: The author dealt with some tremendous theological ideas: grace, sin, forgiveness, even hell. Unfortunately, they fell short of their Biblical definitions. Hell, for instance, was mentioned in reference to Lewis coming to the recognition "that hell ultimately is the greatest of all monuments to human freedom." As good an insight as that is, along with Kreeft's insight that the #1 funeral song in America is also the theme song of Hell ["I did it my way"], it falls short of the Biblical and Theological reality of Hell, and without them, this is merely a hollow psychologized shell of their reality. Grace, too, was discussed largely in terms of it being the means by which God gives us the "inner strength" we need to face life's struggles. Sin and repentance were presented as important, and forgiveness was even called the central teaching of Christianity, but they never received any clear exposition. Most importantly was the presentation of Christ--important, maybe even necessary. But never exclusive, and not in a way to clearly see him as more than a great teacher and moral example.
Doctrines Ignored: It was odd in a book that discussed the importance of human relationships (as often neglected by those climbing the corporate ladder) that the Church and the people of God were not mentioned as central to the Biblical calling to relationships and identity. And for a book to spend as much time talking about God and Jesus to leave off the Holy Spirit felt a little like the great Trinity had been replaced by the great Dinity, or Diunity. For hell to have been mentioned, I failed to notice any mention of heaven. And perhaps greatest of all the failings was the conspicuous absence, given all the talk about Jesus, of any mention the Cross. Failing to be cruciform, it fell short of the Gospel. Also, there was no Resurrection.
So, why condemn it for what it left out, if what it said was true enough? After all, the author was not intending to write a work of theology. He was trying to address a particular human dilemma with applicable truths from his faith. Here is why. At its heart, the dilemma is the despair of the human condition brought about by grounding one's life on false identities (building your house on the sand, I guess). But no solution to that problem that fails to call men to the Gospel of a crucified and risen Lord can give any true remedy or any true hope. The book may make a valiant effort to avoid the destruction of the body (through suicide), but with no actual presentation of the Gospel, there is no salvation for the body *and* the soul. The book merely called pagans to be better pagans with a veneer of Christianity.
Finally, a thought on how I felt this book might have been put together. I had hoped this book would bring a thoroughly Biblical answer to a problem plaguing men. In the end, I think the author probably is a Christian with a fairly Christian worldview and a good set of Christian values. He reads good Christian books at a popular and slightly intellectual level, and enjoys good preaching--especially by men like Timothy Keller who speak to the same sort of men he writes to. He also reads in coaching and leadership (athletic and professional), and even in some literature. Seeing a need, he drew from the breadth of his experience and exposure to give an answer to a critical problem, filtered by a basically Christian worldview, but not *from* a Christian theology. Christianity a significant (perhaps the most significant) source of material and illustration for his answers, but it was not *the source* of his answers. The Bible's actual answers would have been considerably different, including a full Gospel (with "faith" and "the Cross" and "the resurrection" and "the Holy Spirit") and the community of God's people (the Church). Lacking all of this, I conclude the book is more Man's wisdom than God's, and is ultimately Inadequately Christian. The book is not without some profit. But the question it seeks to answer needs a prophet.
After some thought, I decided to expand my comments from the two words above. The day after I finished this, a friend asked me over lunch if I had ever ready books that I really hated, so much that I just stopped reading them. I told him that usually it's not the books I hate the most that I chose not to finish. The ones I hate the most, I usually finish. I don't think this book falls in that category. (Ken Nair's Discovering the Mind of a Woman definitely does, though.) Rather, I really hoped for this to be a good book, and I kept thinking there was a chance the author was building up to it, to lay it all out in full glory in the last chapter. But it disappointed.
First off, I really applaud the author's targeting of a particular social ill in our society: the pressure, especially on certain type of men, to find their value in their success, their achievements, their portfolio, etc. These things cause them to neglect what is most important in life (their families often foremost of these!), to come to the end of life with far too much regret. And in the midst of a severe economic downturn, many who have lost all the things they've built their entire identity and self-worth on are brought to the point of suicide. The author clearly and helpfully exposes these problems.
Second, the book is no merely secular self-help or recovery book. The single person most frequently cited (by my impression, and not by actual count) was Tim Keller. C. S. Lewis was also frequently mentioned (and often in particular through Armand Nicholi's The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life--a favorite book of mine). And that a distinctly Christian faith was in view was present throughout. (Beyond this, there were stories and illustrations and testimonies drawn from literature, athletic and professional coaching, and occasionally from religious authors whose orthodoxy is not beyond question).
But in the end, it seemed only like a Christian-flavored book, and the Christian element amounted to little more than an artificial flavoring. The inadequacy was more in what was missing than what was asserted. I'll explain this under three headings:
Scripture Cited: It first started to stand out around p. 48 with the citation of Isaiah 55 that the author was using Scriptures as often with complete disregard to their context as not. Here we are told that God's thoughts and ways are not ours. But in context, this principle is stated in the face of a very specific (and beautiful) way in which God's dealings are different than what we find among men. Is it wrong to reference the generality connected to a different specificity? No, I think not. But as examples piled up, I started to notice that it seemed that Scriptures were used more often to illustrate the author's points rather than the author's words being chosen to illustrate the Scripture's points.
Doctrines Examined: The author dealt with some tremendous theological ideas: grace, sin, forgiveness, even hell. Unfortunately, they fell short of their Biblical definitions. Hell, for instance, was mentioned in reference to Lewis coming to the recognition "that hell ultimately is the greatest of all monuments to human freedom." As good an insight as that is, along with Kreeft's insight that the #1 funeral song in America is also the theme song of Hell ["I did it my way"], it falls short of the Biblical and Theological reality of Hell, and without them, this is merely a hollow psychologized shell of their reality. Grace, too, was discussed largely in terms of it being the means by which God gives us the "inner strength" we need to face life's struggles. Sin and repentance were presented as important, and forgiveness was even called the central teaching of Christianity, but they never received any clear exposition. Most importantly was the presentation of Christ--important, maybe even necessary. But never exclusive, and not in a way to clearly see him as more than a great teacher and moral example.
Doctrines Ignored: It was odd in a book that discussed the importance of human relationships (as often neglected by those climbing the corporate ladder) that the Church and the people of God were not mentioned as central to the Biblical calling to relationships and identity. And for a book to spend as much time talking about God and Jesus to leave off the Holy Spirit felt a little like the great Trinity had been replaced by the great Dinity, or Diunity. For hell to have been mentioned, I failed to notice any mention of heaven. And perhaps greatest of all the failings was the conspicuous absence, given all the talk about Jesus, of any mention the Cross. Failing to be cruciform, it fell short of the Gospel. Also, there was no Resurrection.
So, why condemn it for what it left out, if what it said was true enough? After all, the author was not intending to write a work of theology. He was trying to address a particular human dilemma with applicable truths from his faith. Here is why. At its heart, the dilemma is the despair of the human condition brought about by grounding one's life on false identities (building your house on the sand, I guess). But no solution to that problem that fails to call men to the Gospel of a crucified and risen Lord can give any true remedy or any true hope. The book may make a valiant effort to avoid the destruction of the body (through suicide), but with no actual presentation of the Gospel, there is no salvation for the body *and* the soul. The book merely called pagans to be better pagans with a veneer of Christianity.
Finally, a thought on how I felt this book might have been put together. I had hoped this book would bring a thoroughly Biblical answer to a problem plaguing men. In the end, I think the author probably is a Christian with a fairly Christian worldview and a good set of Christian values. He reads good Christian books at a popular and slightly intellectual level, and enjoys good preaching--especially by men like Timothy Keller who speak to the same sort of men he writes to. He also reads in coaching and leadership (athletic and professional), and even in some literature. Seeing a need, he drew from the breadth of his experience and exposure to give an answer to a critical problem, filtered by a basically Christian worldview, but not *from* a Christian theology. Christianity a significant (perhaps the most significant) source of material and illustration for his answers, but it was not *the source* of his answers. The Bible's actual answers would have been considerably different, including a full Gospel (with "faith" and "the Cross" and "the resurrection" and "the Holy Spirit") and the community of God's people (the Church). Lacking all of this, I conclude the book is more Man's wisdom than God's, and is ultimately Inadequately Christian. The book is not without some profit. But the question it seeks to answer needs a prophet.
January 31, 2024
An incredibly thought-provoking as well as eye-opening read dealing with the deeper issues relating to the inner workings of men and why they seem to subconsciously self sabotage because they are using an incorrect map to a life of contentment and true happiness by valuing the opinions and approval of other while completely ignoring their own thoughts and feelings about themselves and their lives. Would highly recommend for anyone (but men in particular) who may be struggling with issues related to self-esteem and lack of purpose or direction in life.
April 8, 2020
I read this as part of my CLC men’s group and it is concise and poignant to hit on the core areas that haunt and encourage every man. I would give this book to any young man in the working world so he may understand his true value and how it is found not in what he does but in how God feels about him—this is love.
November 21, 2024
"The True Measure of a Man" de Richard E. Simmons III explora o conceito de verdadeira masculinidade, enfatizando que o valor de um homem não é determinado por padrões sociais como riqueza, poder ou status, mas sim por seu caráter, valores e o impacto que ele tem sobre os outros. Por meio de uma mistura de anedotas pessoais, reflexões filosóficas e princípios bíblicos, Simmons fornece insights sobre como os homens podem cultivar uma vida significativa e gratificante. Aqui estão dez lições e insights principais do livro:
1. Definindo a verdadeira masculinidade: Simmons argumenta que a verdadeira masculinidade é caracterizada pela integridade, humildade e compromisso em servir aos outros. Ele desafia as noções tradicionais de masculinidade que equiparam valor ao sucesso e encoraja os homens a buscar uma compreensão mais profunda de sua identidade com base em valores morais e éticos.
2. A importância do caráter: O autor enfatiza que o caráter é a base da vida de um homem. Ele postula que qualidades como honestidade, gentileza e coragem definem a verdadeira medida de um homem. Construir um caráter forte é essencial para a realização pessoal e para ganhar o respeito dos outros.
3. O papel dos relacionamentos: Simmons destaca a importância de nutrir relacionamentos significativos. Ele afirma que o valor de um homem se reflete em como ele trata sua família, amigos e comunidade. Relacionamentos fortes e de apoio contribuem para uma vida plena e são essenciais para o crescimento pessoal.
4. Abraçando a vulnerabilidade: O livro encoraja os homens a abraçar a vulnerabilidade como uma força em vez de uma fraqueza. Simmons discute como ser aberto sobre as próprias lutas e sentimentos promove conexões mais profundas com os outros e promove a saúde emocional. Autenticidade é um aspecto vital da verdadeira masculinidade.
5. Servindo aos outros: Simmons postula que a verdadeira realização vem de servir aos outros de forma altruísta. Ele encoraja os homens a encontrar maneiras de contribuir positivamente para suas famílias, comunidades e o mundo. Atos de serviço não apenas beneficiam os outros, mas também enriquecem a vida do doador, reforçando um senso de propósito.
6. Buscando uma vida com propósito: O autor enfatiza a importância de viver com intenção e propósito. Ele encoraja os homens a refletir sobre seus valores e paixões, estabelecendo metas que se alinham com suas crenças. Uma vida com propósito leva a uma maior satisfação e a um legado significativo.
7. Enfrentando a adversidade: Simmons discute como os desafios e a adversidade são oportunidades de crescimento. Ele encoraja os homens a abraçar as dificuldades, aprender com elas e emergir mais fortes. A resiliência é uma característica fundamental da verdadeira masculinidade, e enfrentar as dificuldades com graça pode inspirar outros.
8. Fé e espiritualidade: O livro destaca o papel da fé e da espiritualidade na formação do caráter de um homem e na orientação de suas ações. Simmons defende a busca do crescimento espiritual como um meio de encontrar direção, propósito e força na jornada da vida.
9. A influência dos modelos: Simmons discute a importância de ter modelos positivos que incorporem as qualidades da verdadeira masculinidade. Ele encoraja os homens a buscar mentores e aprender com aqueles que exemplificam integridade, compaixão e força, ajudando-os a navegar em seus próprios caminhos.
10. Legado e Impacto: Finalmente, o autor incentiva os homens a considerarem o legado que deixarão para trás. Ele enfatiza que a verdadeira medida de um homem não está em suas realizações, mas nas vidas que ele toca e nos valores que ele instila nos outros. Um legado significativo é construído em amor, serviço e integridade.
"The True Measure of a Man" de Richard E. Simmons III fornece uma exploração instigante do que significa ser um homem no mundo de hoje. Ao focar em caráter, relacionamentos, serviço, vulnerabilidade, propósito e legado, Simmons oferece uma estrutura convincente para os homens cultivarem uma vida gratificante e impactante que transcende as expectativas da sociedade. Seus insights encorajam os leitores a refletir sobre seus valores e se esforçar para o crescimento pessoal, definindo, em última análise, seu valor por meio de suas ações e contribuições para os outros.
1. Definindo a verdadeira masculinidade: Simmons argumenta que a verdadeira masculinidade é caracterizada pela integridade, humildade e compromisso em servir aos outros. Ele desafia as noções tradicionais de masculinidade que equiparam valor ao sucesso e encoraja os homens a buscar uma compreensão mais profunda de sua identidade com base em valores morais e éticos.
2. A importância do caráter: O autor enfatiza que o caráter é a base da vida de um homem. Ele postula que qualidades como honestidade, gentileza e coragem definem a verdadeira medida de um homem. Construir um caráter forte é essencial para a realização pessoal e para ganhar o respeito dos outros.
3. O papel dos relacionamentos: Simmons destaca a importância de nutrir relacionamentos significativos. Ele afirma que o valor de um homem se reflete em como ele trata sua família, amigos e comunidade. Relacionamentos fortes e de apoio contribuem para uma vida plena e são essenciais para o crescimento pessoal.
4. Abraçando a vulnerabilidade: O livro encoraja os homens a abraçar a vulnerabilidade como uma força em vez de uma fraqueza. Simmons discute como ser aberto sobre as próprias lutas e sentimentos promove conexões mais profundas com os outros e promove a saúde emocional. Autenticidade é um aspecto vital da verdadeira masculinidade.
5. Servindo aos outros: Simmons postula que a verdadeira realização vem de servir aos outros de forma altruísta. Ele encoraja os homens a encontrar maneiras de contribuir positivamente para suas famílias, comunidades e o mundo. Atos de serviço não apenas beneficiam os outros, mas também enriquecem a vida do doador, reforçando um senso de propósito.
6. Buscando uma vida com propósito: O autor enfatiza a importância de viver com intenção e propósito. Ele encoraja os homens a refletir sobre seus valores e paixões, estabelecendo metas que se alinham com suas crenças. Uma vida com propósito leva a uma maior satisfação e a um legado significativo.
7. Enfrentando a adversidade: Simmons discute como os desafios e a adversidade são oportunidades de crescimento. Ele encoraja os homens a abraçar as dificuldades, aprender com elas e emergir mais fortes. A resiliência é uma característica fundamental da verdadeira masculinidade, e enfrentar as dificuldades com graça pode inspirar outros.
8. Fé e espiritualidade: O livro destaca o papel da fé e da espiritualidade na formação do caráter de um homem e na orientação de suas ações. Simmons defende a busca do crescimento espiritual como um meio de encontrar direção, propósito e força na jornada da vida.
9. A influência dos modelos: Simmons discute a importância de ter modelos positivos que incorporem as qualidades da verdadeira masculinidade. Ele encoraja os homens a buscar mentores e aprender com aqueles que exemplificam integridade, compaixão e força, ajudando-os a navegar em seus próprios caminhos.
10. Legado e Impacto: Finalmente, o autor incentiva os homens a considerarem o legado que deixarão para trás. Ele enfatiza que a verdadeira medida de um homem não está em suas realizações, mas nas vidas que ele toca e nos valores que ele instila nos outros. Um legado significativo é construído em amor, serviço e integridade.
"The True Measure of a Man" de Richard E. Simmons III fornece uma exploração instigante do que significa ser um homem no mundo de hoje. Ao focar em caráter, relacionamentos, serviço, vulnerabilidade, propósito e legado, Simmons oferece uma estrutura convincente para os homens cultivarem uma vida gratificante e impactante que transcende as expectativas da sociedade. Seus insights encorajam os leitores a refletir sobre seus valores e se esforçar para o crescimento pessoal, definindo, em última análise, seu valor por meio de suas ações e contribuições para os outros.
April 25, 2025
Although, this book may sound like written for men, this book offers profound insights applicable to everyone, especially young adults whose hearts are set on accomplishments [i.e., relationships, money, jobs, etc.].
A powerful message on how God’s grace transforms our lives, providing us self-discipline when we struggle on making choices and decisions wherein most case, the choices we make leads us to self-destruction. Social media can contribute to a misleading perception of self-confidence and acceptance, potentially resulting in insecurities and depression due to seeking validation from others.
A precise statement:
“The way we see ourselves and the way others see us are not necessarily the same. What happens is that we so easily become consumed with what others think of us that we get caught up in image making, impressing others, and winning their approval.
Again, our reputation is the way other people see us, while our character is who we really are. If the focus of our lives is on the development of our character and the maturing of our souls, then our reputation will take care of itself. Ultimately, we will be known for who we are and not for the impressions we make on others.“ The author’s narrative on character is spot on in all essence [pages 67-68].
In the last chapter of the book, it spoke with clarity about how we see ourselves in the midst of the wilderness in our lives:
“It is through this wilderness experience that we finally wake up to the fact that what we have always looked to as our ultimate hope, the thing that has driven and motivated us, that one thing that makes us feel like real men, has deserted us. It has let us down; it can no longer be relied upon as our source of significance and security. However, being in the wilderness can be one of the great blessings of life because it is just in such a wilderness that we can finally discern what is true, what is real, what is authentic human existence.” [page 132]
It is an excellent book on self reflection.
A powerful message on how God’s grace transforms our lives, providing us self-discipline when we struggle on making choices and decisions wherein most case, the choices we make leads us to self-destruction. Social media can contribute to a misleading perception of self-confidence and acceptance, potentially resulting in insecurities and depression due to seeking validation from others.
A precise statement:
“The way we see ourselves and the way others see us are not necessarily the same. What happens is that we so easily become consumed with what others think of us that we get caught up in image making, impressing others, and winning their approval.
Again, our reputation is the way other people see us, while our character is who we really are. If the focus of our lives is on the development of our character and the maturing of our souls, then our reputation will take care of itself. Ultimately, we will be known for who we are and not for the impressions we make on others.“ The author’s narrative on character is spot on in all essence [pages 67-68].
In the last chapter of the book, it spoke with clarity about how we see ourselves in the midst of the wilderness in our lives:
“It is through this wilderness experience that we finally wake up to the fact that what we have always looked to as our ultimate hope, the thing that has driven and motivated us, that one thing that makes us feel like real men, has deserted us. It has let us down; it can no longer be relied upon as our source of significance and security. However, being in the wilderness can be one of the great blessings of life because it is just in such a wilderness that we can finally discern what is true, what is real, what is authentic human existence.” [page 132]
It is an excellent book on self reflection.
October 11, 2023
There are many issues that men struggle with -- shame, self-worth, and approval, to name a few -- but often times, men bottle it in and fail to express or even acknowledge these personal obstacles in their life. In True Measure of a Man, Simmons does a terrific job at shining a spotlight on these obstacles and providing concrete knowledge and tips for the reader to apply and overcome what's holding them back from being their best self.
For the first half of the book, Simmons dives into identity through success versus identity through God, and how this shift can diminish fear and lead you running towards a guiding light of purpose rather than running towards a dead-end of worldly motivators. The latter half of the book touches on what it takes to be an authentic man, and how Life's Greatest Paradox is the answer to finding purpose and becoming the best leader God has you to be.
True Measure of a Man has immeasurable mounds of insight and knowledge that can benefit any man, from those early in their career to those nearing retirement.
For the first half of the book, Simmons dives into identity through success versus identity through God, and how this shift can diminish fear and lead you running towards a guiding light of purpose rather than running towards a dead-end of worldly motivators. The latter half of the book touches on what it takes to be an authentic man, and how Life's Greatest Paradox is the answer to finding purpose and becoming the best leader God has you to be.
True Measure of a Man has immeasurable mounds of insight and knowledge that can benefit any man, from those early in their career to those nearing retirement.
February 12, 2021
A nice introduction to Christian masculinity, but nothing special.
This is not a book that dazzles the reader. It is filled with simple truths that are worth hearing, but have already been well stated by other authors. This book is best treated as a primer for Christian thinking; a jumping-off point for the Christian man.
Simmons’ biblical and secular quotations are well selected and support his main idea. His writing style is direct and clear, which makes this an easy read.
Overall, this is a fine book to give to a man who is either spiritually lost or just beginning their journey with God. I am glad that I read it, but I don’t think I’ll revisit it either.
This is not a book that dazzles the reader. It is filled with simple truths that are worth hearing, but have already been well stated by other authors. This book is best treated as a primer for Christian thinking; a jumping-off point for the Christian man.
Simmons’ biblical and secular quotations are well selected and support his main idea. His writing style is direct and clear, which makes this an easy read.
Overall, this is a fine book to give to a man who is either spiritually lost or just beginning their journey with God. I am glad that I read it, but I don’t think I’ll revisit it either.
March 5, 2022
I have reread this book over the years, in various seasons in life. I have gifted it to friends that are Christian and non-Christian and have found them both to have benefited from reading it. This is not a theological book. This book just points out the obvious and is probably best used the way I used it. At work. This book organically circulated through word of mouth from the men in my work place. Men in widely various seasons in life and extremely competitive against each other. Most these men are Christian but many were not and I found this book to be popular with both.
November 29, 2024
The True Measure of a Man challenges any desire of materialism or self-worth found in success in the business world. Sabbath, relationship, and self-giving prove to be admirable qualities of working Christian men. This book convicted me personally on a desire to always save to purchase the next thing on the wish list or achieve the next business success. Striving for excellence is important, but I never want financial success or image to become paramount to integrity and character.
March 28, 2023
Excellent read for men looking to deepen their character instead of their wallets. I had to read this in segments and have time to chew on the points the author presented. If you're reading this review and discerning my opinion of this book you'll soon learn that there is only one opinion that matters in this read. Praise Jesus!
August 24, 2022
Easy read and super relatable. Great reminder of what’s truly important in life and where men should find their true value and meaning. Helps to point out some of the distractions that all can probably relate to.
May 19, 2024
Incredible book. God used this book to grow me ton. This book speaks to the soul and speaks to true Christianity as the Bible spells out. 10/10 recommend to anyone who is looking to see and grow in maturity of being a Man as God intended and living life to the Lord’s glory
August 12, 2024
A detective from my department gave me this to read. Shoutout!!
This book had some great advice. I was less than interested in the financial/economical side of the book. I enjoyed the brutal honesty used by the author and the people he quoted.
This book had some great advice. I was less than interested in the financial/economical side of the book. I enjoyed the brutal honesty used by the author and the people he quoted.
February 13, 2025
Thank you for this book Justin (my oldest brother).
I took many pictures of pages and many notes.
Lots of alignment, synergies, and synchronicities in what I’m going through in life and what I read in this book. Much needed confirmation. Feeling spiritual rich and elevatedddddd.
I took many pictures of pages and many notes.
Lots of alignment, synergies, and synchronicities in what I’m going through in life and what I read in this book. Much needed confirmation. Feeling spiritual rich and elevatedddddd.
May 5, 2018
Solid. Good recommendation from Clay.
November 8, 2020
Good book for men about focusing on what is important in life instead of putting all of your energy into things that the world values. It was fine but didn't blow me away.
April 12, 2021
A good read for any man looking for tangible ways to see his fulfillment in Christ, not in what the world has to offer
January 9, 2023
While I found this book very informative, I had significant difficulty with the Kindle version. It had many issues with presentation which were quite distracting.
January 13, 2023
Amazing insights for any man
Excellent reading. I will also download the study guide that is available. The best book I've read about men since The Man in the Mirror.
Excellent reading. I will also download the study guide that is available. The best book I've read about men since The Man in the Mirror.
April 23, 2024
Worked through this as part of a men's group. Extremely helpful for me.
April 17, 2025
It was so great that I want to read it again and share copies with my friends!
April 11, 2018
This is an incredible book for men. Mightbmy fav book of all time.
May 14, 2013
Does it explain how men tick? To a certain extent, but I'm not convinced it has any real bearing on men under 40 these days. Simmons made some good points, and even though it is geared specifically toward men, I saw myself in some of them, such as pride and being unwilling to ask for help when help is needed.
May 6, 2014
What truly makes a man behave and feel like a man? Simmons exposes a number of very popular false ideas and offers a compelling case for a better foundation in manhood, and worthy places to find our significance. The book is thoughtful, insightful, and encouraging.
November 6, 2011
Finished this book with my mentor group. Solid book with good practical ideas and lot's of stories to make his points. A good read for men wanting to grow spiritually.
May 5, 2013
Excellent, thought-provoking book. Aimed at Type A Christian men who thrive on achievement. Packs a punch and imbues perspective.
January 20, 2013
Excellent material. Going to use this in my men's mentoring sessions.
February 22, 2014
This is a book for men, but since I have sons and a husband it was a good read for me (mom). Lots of great quotes.
July 22, 2015
Really enjoyed this book because it tied Scripture to real world examples that all men have to deal with.
Well researched and well done!
Well researched and well done!
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