Atomic Dog -- The Testosterone Principles

by T.C. Luoma

What's wrong with Testosterone anyway? And what's so wrong with being masculine? Testosterone, after all, is the elixir of heroism, passion, drive, energy, and intensity. Didn't you know that? Or has all that "primitive" stuff been sucked out of you by a society that would like to keep your manhood safely locked up in a jar under the bed, only to be removed during times of war and procreation (which you better not enjoy)? Luckily for Testosterone-fueled men and the women who love them, this maligned hormone has a crusader. It began seven years ago in an online magazine called Testosterone Nation. In his Atomic Dog column, TC began to define and outline the masculine ideal for the new millenium. Is TC an edgy humorist? Yes. Is he an advocate, defender, and reveler in all things Testosterone? Yes, that too. Is he a sensitive intellectual? Yep. A motivational guru for people who hate motivational gurus? Roger that. A firebrand for unabashed manhood in an increasingly sissified society of wimps? Ditto. Thousands of people now visit T-Nation.com every week to see what TC has to say. This book is a "best of" collection from those weekly columns. It will no doubt make a lot of people angry. It will no doubt be highly offensive to many individuals. Good.

Genres: Self Help, Fitness

Paperback

First published January 25, 2007

Reviews

[Migs Fiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and entertaining enough read. Fun to have in your phone when you're just waiting around. It's the kind of male content that goes against present-day "feminists," but I wouldn't call it red pill.

It would have been much better if there's at least a bit of data in the essays, so they would have been grounded in facts. I get that this was written more for entertainment than anything else, but I wish I learned a little bit more.

T.C. Luoma offered here some solid ideas, arguments, and advice that I think men should read. I just wish there weren't so many pop culture references and jokes in the book. He has the kind of sense of humor that makes me wonder sometimes if he's still joking.

[Gregory Eakins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Testicularity is the last vanguard of civilization; what ties us to nature, what makes us want to excel, what makes us want to discover, invent, and conquer. Don’t let your balls go the way of the appendix.

Atomic Dog - The Testosterone Principles is a collection of articles found on Testosterone Nation that aim to redefine masculinity in a society that has neutered itself by branding virtually all forms of masculinity toxic and repulsive.

Luoma's writing is sprinkled with real talk and raw messages all wrapped in thick sugar coating of humor to help the medicine go down. He consistently throws political correctness in the rubbish bin where it belongs while preaching the merits of grilled meats and beautiful women. Once you strip away the sarcasm, you'll find a surprisingly modest view of what a modern day man should be:

A T-Man is a sublime blend of intellect, integrity, and the burning desire to improve himself physically and mentally.

He doesn’t buy into the notion that all men are created equal, but he believes those that fall short should stop whining about it and get off their ass and do something about it.

The articles are short - rarely more than a few pages long, entertaining, and could be best described as Chicken Soup for the Manly Soul. You'll likely be inspired to live your life such that bards 100 years from now will write songs of your life of greatness.

[Shawn Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atomic Dog - The Testosterone Principles - T.C. Luoma - Compiled from a collection of his weekly editorials, Luoma laments the decline of the modern day male while at the same time celebrating the infinte potential afforded by testosterone driven masculinity. Browbeaten by a toxic environment, maligned and castigated by modern society, it is no surprise that men are experiencing major drops in the hormone that Luoma aptly describes as the ''straw that stirs the drink of life.'' Boys account for 3/4 of kids in special needs programs, 5 times more likely to commit suicide, and 9 times more likely to end up on ADD drugs. Is it any wonder when we are a nation of men raised by women, bereft of any compass that once defined manhood? 4/5

[Wylothar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really like this book. It is a chicken soup truly for guys. Its about what we think and say when we aren't really under scrutiny of Political correctness and the de masculating of Men that is so common now days. It isn't about arrogance, ignorance or brashness but it does offer some enlightenment to the so called men that we get into our society. I think its a must read, I always read little excerpts from it. Most people will not like this book mainly for the reasons above.