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Mansfield's Book of Manly Men: An Utterly Invigorating Guide to Being Your Most Masculine Self
Witty, compelling, and shrewd, Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men is about resurrecting your inborn, timeless, essential, masculine self.
The Western world is in a crisis of discarded honor, dubious integrity, and faux manliness. It is time to recover what we have lost. Stephen Mansfield shows us the way. Working with timeless maxims and stirring examples of manhood from ages past, Mansfield issues a trumpet call of manliness fit for our times.
In Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men, you’ll see that:
This book is about doing. It is about action.
It is about knowing the deeds that comprise manhood and doing those deeds.
Habits have to be formed, and actions have to be aligned with the grace received.
“My goal in this book is simple,” Mansfield says. “I want to identify what a genuine man does?the virtues, the habits, the disciplines, the duties, the actions of true manhood?and then call men to do it.”
The Western world is in a crisis of discarded honor, dubious integrity, and faux manliness. It is time to recover what we have lost. Stephen Mansfield shows us the way. Working with timeless maxims and stirring examples of manhood from ages past, Mansfield issues a trumpet call of manliness fit for our times.
In Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men, you’ll see that:
This book is about doing. It is about action.
It is about knowing the deeds that comprise manhood and doing those deeds.
Habits have to be formed, and actions have to be aligned with the grace received.
“My goal in this book is simple,” Mansfield says. “I want to identify what a genuine man does?the virtues, the habits, the disciplines, the duties, the actions of true manhood?and then call men to do it.”
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2013
285 people are currently reading
1338 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Mansfield
96 books158 followersStephen Mansfield is a New York Times bestselling author and a popular speaker who is becoming one of the nation’s most respected voices on religion and American culture. He is also an activist in a variety of social causes.
Stephen was born in Georgia but grew up largely in Europe due to his father’s career as an officer in the United States Army. After a youth filled with sports, travel, and mischief, he was recruited to play college football but turned down the opportunity when a Christian conversion moved him to attend a leading Christian college.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy and then moved to Texas where he pastored a church, completed two Master’s degrees, hosted a radio show and began acquiring a reputation as a popular speaker of both depth and humor. He moved to Tennessee in 1991 where he again pastored a church, did relief work among the Kurds in Northern Iraq, served as a political consultant, and completed a doctorate.
It was during this time that he also launched the writing career for which he has become internationally known. His first book on Winston Churchill was a Gold Medallion Award Finalist. He also wrote widely-acclaimed biographies of Booker T. Washington and George Whitefield as well as a number of other books on history and leadership. In 1997, the Governor of Tennessee commissioned Mansfield to write the official history of religion in Tennessee for that state’s bicentennial.
In 2002, Stephen left the pastorate after twenty fruitful years to write and lecture full-time. Not long afterward he wrote The Faith of George W. Bush, which spent many weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and won numerous national awards. The book also became a source for Oliver Stone’s internationally acclaimed film W, which chronicled Bush’s rise to the presidency.
This international bestseller led to a string of influential books over the following eight years. Stephen wrote The Faith of the American Soldier after being embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq. He also wrote about the new Pope in Benedict XVI: His Life and Mission. His book The Faith of Barack Obama was another international bestseller and was often a topic in major media during the presidential campaign of 2008. To answer the crumbling values of portions of corporate America, he wrote The Search for God and Guinness and soon found himself speaking to corporate gatherings around the world.
Stephen continues to write books about faith and culture—recently on topics like Sarah Palin, Oprah Winfrey and America’s generals—but beyond his writing career he has founded The Mansfield Group, a successful consulting and communications firm, as well as Chartwell Literary Group, a firm that creates and manages literary projects. Together with his wife, Beverly, Mansfield has created The Global Leadership Development Fund, a foundation that sponsors leadership training and networking around the world.
In recent years, Stephen’s popularity as a speaker has nearly eclipsed his reputation as a bestselling author. He is often to be found addressing a university gathering, a corporate retreat or a fundraising banquet and stirring his audience with the humor and storytelling that have become his trademark.
Mansfield lives primarily in Nashville, Tennessee, with his beloved wife, Beverly, who is an award-winning songwriter and producer. For more information, log onto MansfieldGroup.com.
Stephen was born in Georgia but grew up largely in Europe due to his father’s career as an officer in the United States Army. After a youth filled with sports, travel, and mischief, he was recruited to play college football but turned down the opportunity when a Christian conversion moved him to attend a leading Christian college.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy and then moved to Texas where he pastored a church, completed two Master’s degrees, hosted a radio show and began acquiring a reputation as a popular speaker of both depth and humor. He moved to Tennessee in 1991 where he again pastored a church, did relief work among the Kurds in Northern Iraq, served as a political consultant, and completed a doctorate.
It was during this time that he also launched the writing career for which he has become internationally known. His first book on Winston Churchill was a Gold Medallion Award Finalist. He also wrote widely-acclaimed biographies of Booker T. Washington and George Whitefield as well as a number of other books on history and leadership. In 1997, the Governor of Tennessee commissioned Mansfield to write the official history of religion in Tennessee for that state’s bicentennial.
In 2002, Stephen left the pastorate after twenty fruitful years to write and lecture full-time. Not long afterward he wrote The Faith of George W. Bush, which spent many weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and won numerous national awards. The book also became a source for Oliver Stone’s internationally acclaimed film W, which chronicled Bush’s rise to the presidency.
This international bestseller led to a string of influential books over the following eight years. Stephen wrote The Faith of the American Soldier after being embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq. He also wrote about the new Pope in Benedict XVI: His Life and Mission. His book The Faith of Barack Obama was another international bestseller and was often a topic in major media during the presidential campaign of 2008. To answer the crumbling values of portions of corporate America, he wrote The Search for God and Guinness and soon found himself speaking to corporate gatherings around the world.
Stephen continues to write books about faith and culture—recently on topics like Sarah Palin, Oprah Winfrey and America’s generals—but beyond his writing career he has founded The Mansfield Group, a successful consulting and communications firm, as well as Chartwell Literary Group, a firm that creates and manages literary projects. Together with his wife, Beverly, Mansfield has created The Global Leadership Development Fund, a foundation that sponsors leadership training and networking around the world.
In recent years, Stephen’s popularity as a speaker has nearly eclipsed his reputation as a bestselling author. He is often to be found addressing a university gathering, a corporate retreat or a fundraising banquet and stirring his audience with the humor and storytelling that have become his trademark.
Mansfield lives primarily in Nashville, Tennessee, with his beloved wife, Beverly, who is an award-winning songwriter and producer. For more information, log onto MansfieldGroup.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
December 24, 2025
I was really excited to read Stephen Mansfield's new book, Mansfield's Book of Manly Men. As a proponent of someone calling men back to their roles as leaders, I anticipated reading a really good book about this subject. Mansfield does not disappoint. What a fantastic book!
Mansfield's Book of Manly Men is a great way to encourage and uplift men to live like men. But this book is no primer of misogyny or feminist bashing. No, Mansfield calls men to what he calls the 4 Manly Maxims. There is a crisis in men. And he has maxims that he calls us to. They are:
Manly men do manly things.
Manly men tend their fields.
Manly men build manly men.
Manly men live to the glory of God.
Again, I don't want to spoil this book for you. You should read it.
After the 4 maxims, Mansfield then spends the rest of the book providing examples of men (in Scripture and throughout history) living this way. Each chapter follows a characteristic that we all need. Characteristics like: Honor, Legacy, Humor, Integrity, Forgiveness, and about 10 more.
The book finishes with Manly quotes and some further assignments: a reading list of books for manly men and movies to watch that show men doing what they should.
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I will gladly be adding this book to my booklist for men that I share with other men looking for some great reading.
I give Mansfield 5 out of 5 stars.
Mansfield's Book of Manly Men is a great way to encourage and uplift men to live like men. But this book is no primer of misogyny or feminist bashing. No, Mansfield calls men to what he calls the 4 Manly Maxims. There is a crisis in men. And he has maxims that he calls us to. They are:
Manly men do manly things.
Manly men tend their fields.
Manly men build manly men.
Manly men live to the glory of God.
Again, I don't want to spoil this book for you. You should read it.
After the 4 maxims, Mansfield then spends the rest of the book providing examples of men (in Scripture and throughout history) living this way. Each chapter follows a characteristic that we all need. Characteristics like: Honor, Legacy, Humor, Integrity, Forgiveness, and about 10 more.
The book finishes with Manly quotes and some further assignments: a reading list of books for manly men and movies to watch that show men doing what they should.
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I will gladly be adding this book to my booklist for men that I share with other men looking for some great reading.
I give Mansfield 5 out of 5 stars.
February 15, 2022
Great collection of short stories of biblical and historical men who have set examples in various characteristics for what true manhood is. Not toxic masculinity traits which our world has been scarred by and not overly-passive masculinity traits which our world preaches today.
I recommend this book for new believers who may need guidance with how to live their faith out as men in todays world and for seasoned believers who need some refreshers on how they should reflect on their character (especially alongside their band of brothers).
I recommend this book for new believers who may need guidance with how to live their faith out as men in todays world and for seasoned believers who need some refreshers on how they should reflect on their character (especially alongside their band of brothers).
July 29, 2016
This is an excellent book that outlines character traits of true manhood. I enjoyed the inspirational aspect of this book, and I think the word 'invigorating' in the subtitle is appropriate.
Each manly trait contains the portrait of a man that embodies that trait, a stirring quote, and often a poem. I love the fact that poems were included throughout the book. There are not many things that can stir your heart and soul more than a moving poem.
At the end of the book, there are a number of 'manly' quotes, recommended books for men, and recommended movies for men (I thought this list was a little weak, but everyone's taste is different).
I don't know that the book provided any insight I was unaware of, but it is an inspiration to continue my search for authentic and godly manhood.
Each manly trait contains the portrait of a man that embodies that trait, a stirring quote, and often a poem. I love the fact that poems were included throughout the book. There are not many things that can stir your heart and soul more than a moving poem.
At the end of the book, there are a number of 'manly' quotes, recommended books for men, and recommended movies for men (I thought this list was a little weak, but everyone's taste is different).
I don't know that the book provided any insight I was unaware of, but it is an inspiration to continue my search for authentic and godly manhood.
December 25, 2014
I used this book as as outside-reading assignment for my son and the Christian Manhood Class that I taught in our Christian school. Every man should read this book. Every young man should read this book. Every mother of a man should read this book.
Stephen Mansfield uses mostly everyday manly examples from living men and manly men of the past. Though he uses some Scripture and though this book is based on manly biblical principles, Mansfield writes this book through illustrations that men can readily relate and readily apply to their lives.
Heavily recommended! One of the best books I've read on masculinity and leadership.
Stephen Mansfield uses mostly everyday manly examples from living men and manly men of the past. Though he uses some Scripture and though this book is based on manly biblical principles, Mansfield writes this book through illustrations that men can readily relate and readily apply to their lives.
Heavily recommended! One of the best books I've read on masculinity and leadership.
September 8, 2016
Yes, I read a manly book, which was a required category (a book written for the opposite gender) for the Tim Challies reading challenge I've been doing this year. I enjoyed it a lot. It was packed full of valiant mini biographies of great men of faith. I found many truths that will be helpful in training up my own son. Stephen Manfield is an amazing author and his other biographies, God & Guinness, and Lincoln's Battle w God, are well worth your time as well.
January 2, 2017
Just started this book and love it so far (even though I'm a woman and this is written for men)... a great read for husbands or the men in our life, filled with stories of the great men through the ages (or average, everyday men, who have become great with the help of Jesus Christ).
This book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Mansfield defines manhood with 4 "Manly Maxims". 1) Action. "Manly men do manly things." 2) "Manly men tend their fields." 3) "Manly men build manly men." 4) Manly men live to the glory of God.
In the second part, this book tells the stories of ~16 men, which each exemplify a specific manly virtue including:
Honor
Legacy: Churchill
Friendship: Johanthan
Blessing: Patton
Humor: Jedediah Smith
Restoration: Churchill & G.K. Chesterton
Self-Education: Mark the Apostle
Wildness: Theodore Roosevelt
Integrity: Job
Forgiveness: St. Patrick
Suffering: Lincoln
Vision: Rudyard Kipling
Humility: Booker T. Washington
Sacrifice: Witold Pilecki
Presence: John Wooden
The last part of the book has a collection of quotes, books, and movies for "manly men".
Stephen Mansfield is prophetic in this statement and doesn't know it (I'm sure he will know it someday!):
"If we lived in an ideal world, every man would learn the traits of manliness as part of a dynamic body of righteous men. He would have models in these older men. he would have a tribe. He would be initiated, honored, challenged, trained, corrected, and commissioned by these men. In fact, in an ideal world, a man would barely be able to identify what had made him a great man, a genuine man. It would all be natural and woven into life. It would just be."
This statement describes the Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, or in other words, Jesus Christ's plan for the sons of God. I see it in my family and church every day even in our "un-ideal world". But this great plan for the sons of God makes good, "manly" men... or as Mansfield really means: good men doing and living good works.
Quotes:
It is an evil of our age... that there is tension and competition between the genders... This book is about men being strong, moral, dutiful, virtuous men-- frankly, great men--in part because it is the best gift [they] can give to women... much of this book is about how a man is measured in large part by who he is for the women in his life.
I don't care about your appearance. Manliness... is about doing... True manliness is about the determination to act according to a noble definition of what it means to be a man.
While we wait, we miss the opportunities before us and the role we could play in our world.
We just do not need thought as a substitute for action. It's killing us.
Ultimately... you only know who a man is and what he believes by what he does.
The key to powerful manhood is that a man fully owns-- takes responsibility for, tends, stands guard over, assures the healthy condition of-- the field assigned to him.
"...doing and the example of others is how I [learn] most everything that [shapes] my life."
"[We] cannot do what we are assigned to do without strength and energy beyond [our] own. this comes from being [people] to the glory of God."
This book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Mansfield defines manhood with 4 "Manly Maxims". 1) Action. "Manly men do manly things." 2) "Manly men tend their fields." 3) "Manly men build manly men." 4) Manly men live to the glory of God.
In the second part, this book tells the stories of ~16 men, which each exemplify a specific manly virtue including:
Honor
Legacy: Churchill
Friendship: Johanthan
Blessing: Patton
Humor: Jedediah Smith
Restoration: Churchill & G.K. Chesterton
Self-Education: Mark the Apostle
Wildness: Theodore Roosevelt
Integrity: Job
Forgiveness: St. Patrick
Suffering: Lincoln
Vision: Rudyard Kipling
Humility: Booker T. Washington
Sacrifice: Witold Pilecki
Presence: John Wooden
The last part of the book has a collection of quotes, books, and movies for "manly men".
Stephen Mansfield is prophetic in this statement and doesn't know it (I'm sure he will know it someday!):
"If we lived in an ideal world, every man would learn the traits of manliness as part of a dynamic body of righteous men. He would have models in these older men. he would have a tribe. He would be initiated, honored, challenged, trained, corrected, and commissioned by these men. In fact, in an ideal world, a man would barely be able to identify what had made him a great man, a genuine man. It would all be natural and woven into life. It would just be."
This statement describes the Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, or in other words, Jesus Christ's plan for the sons of God. I see it in my family and church every day even in our "un-ideal world". But this great plan for the sons of God makes good, "manly" men... or as Mansfield really means: good men doing and living good works.
Quotes:
It is an evil of our age... that there is tension and competition between the genders... This book is about men being strong, moral, dutiful, virtuous men-- frankly, great men--in part because it is the best gift [they] can give to women... much of this book is about how a man is measured in large part by who he is for the women in his life.
I don't care about your appearance. Manliness... is about doing... True manliness is about the determination to act according to a noble definition of what it means to be a man.
While we wait, we miss the opportunities before us and the role we could play in our world.
We just do not need thought as a substitute for action. It's killing us.
Ultimately... you only know who a man is and what he believes by what he does.
The key to powerful manhood is that a man fully owns-- takes responsibility for, tends, stands guard over, assures the healthy condition of-- the field assigned to him.
"...doing and the example of others is how I [learn] most everything that [shapes] my life."
"[We] cannot do what we are assigned to do without strength and energy beyond [our] own. this comes from being [people] to the glory of God."
November 22, 2021
Resumiré este libro con una frase citada ahí “La virtud es un estado de guerra, y para vivir virtuoso siempre hay que librar algún combate consigo mismo” Jean Jaques Rousseau.
Es un libro de virtudes relacionadas con la hombría. Que cuestiona sobre si son éstas llevadas a cabo o cómo se puede conseguir tal cosa. Algo realmente necesario.
Creo que la traducción pudo haber sido mejor. Y que el título del libro se queda un poco corto. Aunque claro que me parece valioso el contenido, solo me hubiese gustado tener más perspectivas aparte de las vidas ejemplares.
Por último. Me agrada que tenga recomendaciones de más libros y películas sobre el mismo tema.
Es un libro de virtudes relacionadas con la hombría. Que cuestiona sobre si son éstas llevadas a cabo o cómo se puede conseguir tal cosa. Algo realmente necesario.
Creo que la traducción pudo haber sido mejor. Y que el título del libro se queda un poco corto. Aunque claro que me parece valioso el contenido, solo me hubiese gustado tener más perspectivas aparte de las vidas ejemplares.
Por último. Me agrada que tenga recomendaciones de más libros y películas sobre el mismo tema.
July 9, 2017
3.5 Disclaimer: I did not know this was a Christian book when I bought it. Not that it should matter to me...
But anyway, I liked this. Especially the Winston Churchill chapter. Chapters about other historical figures were interesting to read. There are several quotes that I should have marked throughout the book, so I will be reading it again. Also, the Prayer of Sir Francis Drake was thrown in as a break between chapters and it is probably the best thing I have ever read IN MY LIFE. So, there's that.
But anyway, I liked this. Especially the Winston Churchill chapter. Chapters about other historical figures were interesting to read. There are several quotes that I should have marked throughout the book, so I will be reading it again. Also, the Prayer of Sir Francis Drake was thrown in as a break between chapters and it is probably the best thing I have ever read IN MY LIFE. So, there's that.
April 7, 2014
Mansfield's Manly Maxims
1. Men Do
2. Men Tend Their Fields
3. Men Build Other Men
4. Men Live to Glorify God
1. Men Do
2. Men Tend Their Fields
3. Men Build Other Men
4. Men Live to Glorify God
January 12, 2022
In some ways, it was a fun book. with all of the stories and simplicity. In other ways, it was a thought-provoking volume. Mansfield addresses manhood from a mostly biblical perspective. Why? As he states, "Manhood is suffering today. Men seem to be confused about what God wants them to be and about how to live out their manly calling" (xv). If that was the case in 2013 when he wrote the book, it is clearly more so today.
I expected it to slide into chest-thumping bravado and Archie Bunker style braggadocio. But instead, the author has a better concept of manliness. The book feels like it's dipping its toes in the weird waters of self-centered mansplaining and chauvinism when it comes to chapters like "Quest" or "Wildness" or when it talks about belonging to the tribe of men. But the overwhelming direction of the book maps out ways of manhood that take wholesome masculinity into the realm of service, protection, forgiveness, humility, friendship, and the like.
And the book is packed full of stories about men who exemplified this trait or that. Clearly the author presents his models' best sides. But he has a realism that makes the manuscript healthy. For example, "The great heroes of the past you've grown to admire were all pitiful human beings whom we remember only because they declared war on some part of their pitifulness" (187). That potent point helps keep readers sober and sensible, while being instructed on attributes of manhood.
I agree with the author that masculinity, manhood is on the ropes in America, and in the West. C.S. Lewis saw it long ago when he penned "The Abolition of Man". This book, if not taken uncritically, will benefit any man who reads it, and will give a good perspective to women and mothers who care about the men in their lives. I appreciated what Mansfield was attempting, and loved the biographical stories. I recommend the book.
I expected it to slide into chest-thumping bravado and Archie Bunker style braggadocio. But instead, the author has a better concept of manliness. The book feels like it's dipping its toes in the weird waters of self-centered mansplaining and chauvinism when it comes to chapters like "Quest" or "Wildness" or when it talks about belonging to the tribe of men. But the overwhelming direction of the book maps out ways of manhood that take wholesome masculinity into the realm of service, protection, forgiveness, humility, friendship, and the like.
And the book is packed full of stories about men who exemplified this trait or that. Clearly the author presents his models' best sides. But he has a realism that makes the manuscript healthy. For example, "The great heroes of the past you've grown to admire were all pitiful human beings whom we remember only because they declared war on some part of their pitifulness" (187). That potent point helps keep readers sober and sensible, while being instructed on attributes of manhood.
I agree with the author that masculinity, manhood is on the ropes in America, and in the West. C.S. Lewis saw it long ago when he penned "The Abolition of Man". This book, if not taken uncritically, will benefit any man who reads it, and will give a good perspective to women and mothers who care about the men in their lives. I appreciated what Mansfield was attempting, and loved the biographical stories. I recommend the book.
September 4, 2019
The first part of this book to me seemed pretentious, preachy, and not relatable. Once Stephen got into real men's lives and gave real life examples of what it means to truly be a man, however, is when I fell in love with this book. Every example and person's story given helped me feel connected with my ancestors, and combined with lots of prayer and dependency on God's strength, this book has helped give me a drive and desire to be a man of action rather than just all talk.
I highly recommend this book to all guys, no matter what end of the spectrum you fall under regarding strength or mental fortitude. The author does a great job lighting a fire under you and encouraging you to take action and change your life, all while pointing you to biblical principles in a balanced way. I also appreciate the poetry, references, and other resources given throughout the book to further your journey in becoming a true man of action and integrity.
I highly recommend this book to all guys, no matter what end of the spectrum you fall under regarding strength or mental fortitude. The author does a great job lighting a fire under you and encouraging you to take action and change your life, all while pointing you to biblical principles in a balanced way. I also appreciate the poetry, references, and other resources given throughout the book to further your journey in becoming a true man of action and integrity.
January 1, 2021
I could not have picked a better book to close out my year and catapult me into 2021 than Stephen Mansfield's Mansfield's Book of Manly Men: An Utterly Invigorating Guide to Being Your Most Masculine Self."
Thank you, Stephen Mansfield. In a day of gender confusion and PC speech when it comes to the sexes, Mansfield's Book of Manly Men is unapologetically and proudly male -- and like a refreshing drink of water in a culture parched for good material for guys.
Thank you, Stephen Mansfield. In a day of gender confusion and PC speech when it comes to the sexes, Mansfield's Book of Manly Men is unapologetically and proudly male -- and like a refreshing drink of water in a culture parched for good material for guys.
August 17, 2021
Book #25 of my #30BookSummer Challenge! I originally received this book as part of the Dave Ramsey Book Club. Took me a while to get to reading it but I’m sure glad I did! Men read it. It’s not about jocularity, it's about living the Christian life every man was born to live. I’d predict rereading this one annually to recenter.
November 5, 2021
I read this to determine whether or not to add this to my sons’ character curriculum in the future and I believe I will! It’s from a Biblical worldview and is packed with encouraging and challenging maxims, stories of very manly men and wisdom that is in short supply today.
December 16, 2018
The book is as described in the title, I would recommend reading it.
April 16, 2022
Stay with me on this one: When I was a boy, a Sunday School teacher once told me that when he would get angry as a kid, he would go out and chop firewood. It calmed him down and simultaneously got his chores done. So during a rough patch here recently, I went out and bought a brand new axe. I had a happy time chopping fallen trees in our woods, but sadly, the axe broke after just the second log. Imported hickory handle--boo. So on our next day off, my wife and I went to return it. Afterwards, we went straight from the hardware store to some other out-and-about errands, one being a stop into Books-a-Million. I have so many books on my want-to-read list that I really wasn't in the market for buying something new, but man I love a bookstore. I strolled up and down the aisle, thinking about where we could go to buy a better axe, and also trying to see my way out of my present rough patch, valley walk, slumping season in life. Mansfield's book may have initially jumped off the shelf at me because of its striking yellow cover, but what really got my hands on it was the picture of the axe. Remember, I had axes on the brain during this shopping trip. I bought the book and began reading. Folks, it was the Holy Spirit's counseling way; it was precisely, PRECISELY, what I needed in my particular slump, my particular life-moment. I would not trade what I read in this book, at this season in my life, for all the books in all the stores in all the world. The fact that the Holy Spirit so guided this book to me, and me to it, I take to be evidence that Mansfield prayed over his writing, and that his prayers have paid off. Men, if you ever give this book a go, my prayers are with you that the Lord will use it in your life as powerfully as He did in mind. And to Mr. Mansfield, thank you for your labors. They are bearing fruit!
July 12, 2024
Extremely accessible and well-written, filled with anecdotes that highlight the different traits of a modern man's man, and they probably aren't what you're expecting; the teachings in the book are authentic and time-tested, filled with great stories from the past that I had never heard of before; all at once challenging, inspiring, convicting, and encouraging; highly recommend
February 9, 2023
There are definitely some good topics here. I don't know if I agree with everything but if you have nothing it's a good place to start.
March 21, 2018
For the most part, I enjoyed the Book of Manly Men. Filled with thematic topics on manhood and brief examinations on men throughout history that exemplify them, Mansfield offers a lot of sound advice on how to embrace manhood in today's world. I was initially somewhat skeptical as I picked up this book, as I'm just not interested in reading a hoo-rah book about how to shoot guns and eat meat and be a man. Fortunately, Mansfield did not write that kind of book.
Mansfield perforates the book with many examples of prominent (and not so prominent) men from history, and I certainly appreciated that. His thoughts on passing manhood down to young boys were great, and something that is desperately needed in our culture. His numerous calls to action around loving a wife, rearing children, working hard and sacrificing much almost feel foreign in comparison to our world today, but still ring true. I also really appreciated how Mansfield took pains to make sure his reader knew his historical examples were in no way perfect people. They had their flaws. Yet, Mansfield astutely recognizes that there is much to be learned from great people who had their own hangups.
Perhaps one knock against Mansfield's overall premise is that he places quite a bit of emphasis on action and doing. This is certainly a valuable word for many men today, who would rather be a passive participant in life and perhaps embrace a greatly extended adolescence. Yet, this is exactly one aspect of manhood that I have really had to work hard on: that I have an identity that has been given to me, not before and not because of the things I do. My identity and my worth comes as being created in God's image, as his beloved child. I didn't do anything to earn this. It would, in fact, be impossible to do so. My actions and my doing then flow out of who God is and what he's done. I feel like Mansfield flipped the table on this, and I don't think I agree (and as Mansfield is a former pastor, I'm somewhat surprised). Before God gave Adam (and Eve) a job to do, he gave them an identity to embody.
Aside from that, I think perhaps the only other downside is what is common to MANY books of this kind, in that Mansfield tends to speak from broad generalizations, and those generalizations often break down as soon as you try to apply them to any given individual. As such, I found myself resonating with some parts of the book but annoyed with other parts. I can't really fault Mansfield for this, as it really is hard to write a book that covers such a large group and have everything apply equally. One thing that I thought was noteworthy, though: Mansfield does appear to be aware of this problem and makes a point to mention several times that there will be some variation. And, he also strongly states that manhood is not centered around certain activities, but is far more concerned with internal character.
I think Mansfield's Book of Manly Men would be most helpful as a supplement, if you have not had an opportunity to explore what manhood is, or did not have a father-figure in your life to teach you. If you come from a place where manhood was strongly imparted in you, then you will probably find some of this book less compelling, but will still find some good nuggets to chew on.
Mansfield perforates the book with many examples of prominent (and not so prominent) men from history, and I certainly appreciated that. His thoughts on passing manhood down to young boys were great, and something that is desperately needed in our culture. His numerous calls to action around loving a wife, rearing children, working hard and sacrificing much almost feel foreign in comparison to our world today, but still ring true. I also really appreciated how Mansfield took pains to make sure his reader knew his historical examples were in no way perfect people. They had their flaws. Yet, Mansfield astutely recognizes that there is much to be learned from great people who had their own hangups.
Perhaps one knock against Mansfield's overall premise is that he places quite a bit of emphasis on action and doing. This is certainly a valuable word for many men today, who would rather be a passive participant in life and perhaps embrace a greatly extended adolescence. Yet, this is exactly one aspect of manhood that I have really had to work hard on: that I have an identity that has been given to me, not before and not because of the things I do. My identity and my worth comes as being created in God's image, as his beloved child. I didn't do anything to earn this. It would, in fact, be impossible to do so. My actions and my doing then flow out of who God is and what he's done. I feel like Mansfield flipped the table on this, and I don't think I agree (and as Mansfield is a former pastor, I'm somewhat surprised). Before God gave Adam (and Eve) a job to do, he gave them an identity to embody.
Aside from that, I think perhaps the only other downside is what is common to MANY books of this kind, in that Mansfield tends to speak from broad generalizations, and those generalizations often break down as soon as you try to apply them to any given individual. As such, I found myself resonating with some parts of the book but annoyed with other parts. I can't really fault Mansfield for this, as it really is hard to write a book that covers such a large group and have everything apply equally. One thing that I thought was noteworthy, though: Mansfield does appear to be aware of this problem and makes a point to mention several times that there will be some variation. And, he also strongly states that manhood is not centered around certain activities, but is far more concerned with internal character.
I think Mansfield's Book of Manly Men would be most helpful as a supplement, if you have not had an opportunity to explore what manhood is, or did not have a father-figure in your life to teach you. If you come from a place where manhood was strongly imparted in you, then you will probably find some of this book less compelling, but will still find some good nuggets to chew on.
January 11, 2015
The contents opens with a classic picture of an old-fashioned Sherlock-style pipe. If that doesn’t bring forth older images of manliness, other than the enlarged mustache on the cover, I am not sure what will. But does the rest of the book live up to the hype and expectations?
The Publisher calls the book “witty,” ”compelling,” and “shrewd,” citing it as being “about resurrecting your inborn, timeless, essential, masculine self.” The book has been receiving an average of 4.5 star reviews, asserting that while the “Western world is in a crisis of discarded honor, dubious integrity, and faux manliness,” and for men in general it “is time to recover what we have lost,” Mansfield presents “timeless maxims and stirring examples of manhood from ages past, Mansfield issues a trumpet call of manliness fit for our times.”
No content shall be given away with this review, but to finish the synopsis, the author reviews four manly maxims for men to adopt, different components of being a manly man, fifty quotes for manly men, ten books for manly men, and ten movies for manly men. In all, Mansfield presents what appears to be a compendium on being manly. That’s right, man, no carry forth.
Is the book worth reading? That’s a great question indeed. Retired Lt. General William G. Boykin and former commander of Delta Force believes it is. As Boykin states, “few personalities in the Bible are more recognized for their manly qualities…” Boykin drafted the entire foreword for this book on the belief that it is not prevalently clear what it means to be a manly man in today’s American society, and that the modern feminist movement has done significant damage to the self-esteem of men. This may or may not be true, but it does lend investigation to the matter.
The book certainly leans heavy on the Christian faith, which should be expected coming from a Christian Publisher. Irregardless of content, however, the readability of a book does not depend so much on content as it does style, at least for me. Plenty of reviewers have already covered the point of content. But is it an enjoyable read?
Reading the experiences of Mansfield, at first I was a bit shocked. The content was not necessarily Christian, but at the same time, it was. I had thought about how this would impact a review, but realized that it needed to mark a good thing. Mansfield is being authentic in his storytelling, including the less “Christian” experiences. While some could argue this is to market to a secular audience, I believe it is more about how the Christian culture does not always intertwine with a manly one. And I believe that can be a good thing. After all, the Christian church has historically slammed masculinity.
As far as readability, I am engaged. Mansfield is connecting. He is reliving his experiences and tying it into his narrative. And that makes this a book worth reading.
Disclosure: I was contracted to write an honest review in exchange for a reviewer copy of the product. The opinions stated in this review are solely my own.
The Publisher calls the book “witty,” ”compelling,” and “shrewd,” citing it as being “about resurrecting your inborn, timeless, essential, masculine self.” The book has been receiving an average of 4.5 star reviews, asserting that while the “Western world is in a crisis of discarded honor, dubious integrity, and faux manliness,” and for men in general it “is time to recover what we have lost,” Mansfield presents “timeless maxims and stirring examples of manhood from ages past, Mansfield issues a trumpet call of manliness fit for our times.”
No content shall be given away with this review, but to finish the synopsis, the author reviews four manly maxims for men to adopt, different components of being a manly man, fifty quotes for manly men, ten books for manly men, and ten movies for manly men. In all, Mansfield presents what appears to be a compendium on being manly. That’s right, man, no carry forth.
Is the book worth reading? That’s a great question indeed. Retired Lt. General William G. Boykin and former commander of Delta Force believes it is. As Boykin states, “few personalities in the Bible are more recognized for their manly qualities…” Boykin drafted the entire foreword for this book on the belief that it is not prevalently clear what it means to be a manly man in today’s American society, and that the modern feminist movement has done significant damage to the self-esteem of men. This may or may not be true, but it does lend investigation to the matter.
The book certainly leans heavy on the Christian faith, which should be expected coming from a Christian Publisher. Irregardless of content, however, the readability of a book does not depend so much on content as it does style, at least for me. Plenty of reviewers have already covered the point of content. But is it an enjoyable read?
Reading the experiences of Mansfield, at first I was a bit shocked. The content was not necessarily Christian, but at the same time, it was. I had thought about how this would impact a review, but realized that it needed to mark a good thing. Mansfield is being authentic in his storytelling, including the less “Christian” experiences. While some could argue this is to market to a secular audience, I believe it is more about how the Christian culture does not always intertwine with a manly one. And I believe that can be a good thing. After all, the Christian church has historically slammed masculinity.
As far as readability, I am engaged. Mansfield is connecting. He is reliving his experiences and tying it into his narrative. And that makes this a book worth reading.
Disclosure: I was contracted to write an honest review in exchange for a reviewer copy of the product. The opinions stated in this review are solely my own.
April 25, 2018
Every man, read this book. Don’t make excuses. Just do it. It will quite possibly change your life.
December 5, 2017
The old cliche of "don't judge a book by it's cover" can be applied to this book for sure. When you first look at the cover, what vision of "manly men" pops into you head? Some sort of physical definition like wrestling bears, or hunting, or chopping down trees on a mountainside, or pressing massive barbells above your head one handed? Men with lots of hair on their chest?
If that's what you pictured, then the cover did it's job. It's meant to be a little snarky, a little tongue in cheek. But, that's where the cheekiness ends. In Mansfield's Book Of Manly Men, Stephen Mansfield sets out to try and define what it means to be a man, what traits and characteristics make a good man. And, frankly, almost none of them have anything to do with the caricatures I described above. This book is about traits like honor, friendship, sacrifice, integrity. And DOING. Men Do. Great men have always Done. Great men are intentional, focused, purposeful.
Each chapter in the book covers a trait and starts with a figure from history who represents this trait. Men like Churchill, Lincoln, Coach John Wooden, and numerous figures from the pages of The Bible, which is where Stephen draws most of his guidelines on what it means to be a man. He quotes the Bible often, but if you're not a Christian, don't be turned off. The lessons here are for believers and non-believers alike. You don't have to subscribe to the same world view as Mansfield to find this book impactful
I've read a handful of self improvement books and the thing that sets this one apart from the rest is it's actionable-ness. Many times when I read these kind of books, I'm left saying to myself "OK, great idea. Now HOW do I do that?". Many books are great at giving you the What, but they never give you the How. At the end of each chapter, Mansfield leaves you with a handful of questions to help you dig deeper into your own situation as well as some actionable things to do in order to work towards achieving your goal.
In a culture where many men are found sitting on their hands, not knowing what it means to be a man anymore, this book will help give you direction. It should be required reading and not a bookshelf in existence should go without it.
If that's what you pictured, then the cover did it's job. It's meant to be a little snarky, a little tongue in cheek. But, that's where the cheekiness ends. In Mansfield's Book Of Manly Men, Stephen Mansfield sets out to try and define what it means to be a man, what traits and characteristics make a good man. And, frankly, almost none of them have anything to do with the caricatures I described above. This book is about traits like honor, friendship, sacrifice, integrity. And DOING. Men Do. Great men have always Done. Great men are intentional, focused, purposeful.
Each chapter in the book covers a trait and starts with a figure from history who represents this trait. Men like Churchill, Lincoln, Coach John Wooden, and numerous figures from the pages of The Bible, which is where Stephen draws most of his guidelines on what it means to be a man. He quotes the Bible often, but if you're not a Christian, don't be turned off. The lessons here are for believers and non-believers alike. You don't have to subscribe to the same world view as Mansfield to find this book impactful
I've read a handful of self improvement books and the thing that sets this one apart from the rest is it's actionable-ness. Many times when I read these kind of books, I'm left saying to myself "OK, great idea. Now HOW do I do that?". Many books are great at giving you the What, but they never give you the How. At the end of each chapter, Mansfield leaves you with a handful of questions to help you dig deeper into your own situation as well as some actionable things to do in order to work towards achieving your goal.
In a culture where many men are found sitting on their hands, not knowing what it means to be a man anymore, this book will help give you direction. It should be required reading and not a bookshelf in existence should go without it.
April 12, 2018
Unbelievable.
The book is the still small voice. Yet, the content is a loud voice in the wilderness.
Had a privilege to go through with my boss/friend (Matt) for the summer and each section shows what it means to be a man.
There are some sections I would still need to understand and chew on but it’s a great book.
Being a man isn’t about having a big gun, lifting heavy things or even just being right.
A notable quote from the author rocked me.
“Being a man is privilege, not an entitlement. It is a surrender of our priority. It is a laying down of our lives, not physically but inwardly — our preferences, our pleasures, sometimes even our dreams. Our version of Witold Pilecki’s medeals comes in the lives we offer to God, life’s we have bled and sweated and prayed and given ourselves for. This is what it means to be a man.” - the chapter on Sacrifice, Mansfield
The book is the still small voice. Yet, the content is a loud voice in the wilderness.
Had a privilege to go through with my boss/friend (Matt) for the summer and each section shows what it means to be a man.
There are some sections I would still need to understand and chew on but it’s a great book.
Being a man isn’t about having a big gun, lifting heavy things or even just being right.
A notable quote from the author rocked me.
“Being a man is privilege, not an entitlement. It is a surrender of our priority. It is a laying down of our lives, not physically but inwardly — our preferences, our pleasures, sometimes even our dreams. Our version of Witold Pilecki’s medeals comes in the lives we offer to God, life’s we have bled and sweated and prayed and given ourselves for. This is what it means to be a man.” - the chapter on Sacrifice, Mansfield
January 23, 2014
“My goal in this book is simple. I want to identify what a genuine man does—the virtues, the habits, the disciplines, the duties, the actions of true manhood—and then call men to do it.” - Stephen Mansfield
Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield, with a foreword by Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin
Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men is a sort of manly guidance book for men and boys of all ages. Stephen Mansfield examines manliness from a Biblical perspective, and finds that our current culture sadly undermines, under-appreciates, and even perverts traditional masculine values. Drawing upon men from the Bible as well as from history and his own life, Mansfield teaches the proper role of a man: from how a man shoulders responsibility, to how he handles defeats and setbacks gracefully, to appropriate use of humor. He takes King David's words to Solomon as a clarion cry to all men, ""...be strong and show yourself a man." (1 Kings 2:2).
Each chapter includes a profile of a role model – these men include Lincoln, Churchill, King David, Kipling, Booker T. Washington, and more. The witty and informative profiles show just how each particular man exemplifies a specific virtue or character trait in a manly manner.
The book ends with “Fifty Quotes for Manly Men” – page after page of thought-provoking and intelligent inspiration for any man - and for the women that love them and want to encourage them to be their very best. Mansfield understands that a man must cultivate mind, body, and soul – and his proscriptions address all three.
As the mother of a son, I am thankful for this book – and I plan to pass it along to him now that I am finished with it. Many of Mansfield’s lessons are lessons I have tried to pass along myself – and Mansfield’s “man to man” aspect can only enforce what we already believe.
Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield, with a foreword by Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin
Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men is a sort of manly guidance book for men and boys of all ages. Stephen Mansfield examines manliness from a Biblical perspective, and finds that our current culture sadly undermines, under-appreciates, and even perverts traditional masculine values. Drawing upon men from the Bible as well as from history and his own life, Mansfield teaches the proper role of a man: from how a man shoulders responsibility, to how he handles defeats and setbacks gracefully, to appropriate use of humor. He takes King David's words to Solomon as a clarion cry to all men, ""...be strong and show yourself a man." (1 Kings 2:2).
Each chapter includes a profile of a role model – these men include Lincoln, Churchill, King David, Kipling, Booker T. Washington, and more. The witty and informative profiles show just how each particular man exemplifies a specific virtue or character trait in a manly manner.
The book ends with “Fifty Quotes for Manly Men” – page after page of thought-provoking and intelligent inspiration for any man - and for the women that love them and want to encourage them to be their very best. Mansfield understands that a man must cultivate mind, body, and soul – and his proscriptions address all three.
As the mother of a son, I am thankful for this book – and I plan to pass it along to him now that I am finished with it. Many of Mansfield’s lessons are lessons I have tried to pass along myself – and Mansfield’s “man to man” aspect can only enforce what we already believe.
April 15, 2018
1.5 stars
October 13, 2014
Още една книга за мъжествеността, този път дооооста добра. Авторът е генерал от армията, успешен бизнесмен, глава на семейство и pilar of the community, отгоре на всичко и лектор по въпроса на това какво е да си мъж. По-квалифициран от това да дава акъл по въпроса - здраве му кажи.
Стивън Мансфийлд е дълбоко религиозен и дава много примери с библейски мъже, което, макар да не съм религиозен, смятам за подходящо, защото старозаветните мъже са живели във времена, където няма хън-мън все пак... За вдъхновение му служат още велики исторически фигури като Теди Рузвелт, Чърчил и др.
Книгата е разделена на 4 глави, всяка от които покрива един от начините, по които всеки трябва да покаже, че е мъж - защото именно в това се заключава основната теза на автора: че да си мъж означава да действаш и да се покажеш като такъв. Затова и всяка глава включва раздел "How will you show yourself a man? (Как да покажеш, че си мъж?)"
Не, не става дума за това да не се бръснеш, да вдигаш щанги и да ловиш коне с ласо. Генералът говори за много по-важни и основни неща в живота като семейство, отдаденост, загриженост, себераздаване, мъжествени постъпки, възпитание и да, бог. И успява да ме убеди, че даже последното е важно за истинския мъж.
Стивън Мансфийлд е дълбоко религиозен и дава много примери с библейски мъже, което, макар да не съм религиозен, смятам за подходящо, защото старозаветните мъже са живели във времена, където няма хън-мън все пак... За вдъхновение му служат още велики исторически фигури като Теди Рузвелт, Чърчил и др.
Книгата е разделена на 4 глави, всяка от които покрива един от начините, по които всеки трябва да покаже, че е мъж - защото именно в това се заключава основната теза на автора: че да си мъж означава да действаш и да се покажеш като такъв. Затова и всяка глава включва раздел "How will you show yourself a man? (Как да покажеш, че си мъж?)"
Не, не става дума за това да не се бръснеш, да вдигаш щанги и да ловиш коне с ласо. Генералът говори за много по-важни и основни неща в живота като семейство, отдаденост, загриженост, себераздаване, мъжествени постъпки, възпитание и да, бог. И успява да ме убеди, че даже последното е важно за истинския мъж.
January 6, 2018
As an ambitious 18-year-old male, this book was fantastic for me.
Mansfield does an excellent job identifying "manly" traits and elaborating his argument with historical accounts of manly men (e.g. Lincoln, Churchill, Job...). While some of the masculine characteristics he suggests are not convincing (wildness, humour), many traits he identified are, in my opinion, extremely relevant to many modern men out there.
This book much inspired me and will continue to do so through 2018. I plan to read this book once again. I suggest anyone who is looking for self-improvement but doesn't know where to start. This book provides sufficient guidance for that.
Note: This book is heavily Christian-based. For me, the Christian aspect made it even more relevant and motivating because I am a Christian. But for others, be wary when reading.
Mansfield does an excellent job identifying "manly" traits and elaborating his argument with historical accounts of manly men (e.g. Lincoln, Churchill, Job...). While some of the masculine characteristics he suggests are not convincing (wildness, humour), many traits he identified are, in my opinion, extremely relevant to many modern men out there.
This book much inspired me and will continue to do so through 2018. I plan to read this book once again. I suggest anyone who is looking for self-improvement but doesn't know where to start. This book provides sufficient guidance for that.
Note: This book is heavily Christian-based. For me, the Christian aspect made it even more relevant and motivating because I am a Christian. But for others, be wary when reading.
January 26, 2014
While this wouldn't be my go-to guide for defining Biblical masculinity, this is a really fun book. Starting from the premise that manhood is action, he offers four maxims that define manhood, and assembles a long list of manly virtues illustrated by the life manly man from history (incl.Teddy Roosevelt, WinstonChurchill, Abe Lincoln, and Booker Washington). This is the 2nd book I've read by Mansfield, and I really enjoy his writing. As an added bonus, the manly icons through the pages as well as the cover design make the book fun to hold and look at. I recommend avoiding the ebook for this reason.
February 5, 2014
While early on, Mansfield states that this “Utterly Invigorating Guide to Being Your Most Masculine Self” is not for girls, I found it to be a wonderful, and very enjoyable, book.
Mansfield begins by giving four maxims for true masculinity, or what he refers to as being a “manly man”, and then moves to an intriguing review of some of the qualities of a godly, masculine man, ranging from honor, humility, self-education, and vision.
While not a man, I found Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men to be an invigorating and inspiring read.
Read the rest at http://thenerdybookworm.wordpress.com...
Mansfield begins by giving four maxims for true masculinity, or what he refers to as being a “manly man”, and then moves to an intriguing review of some of the qualities of a godly, masculine man, ranging from honor, humility, self-education, and vision.
While not a man, I found Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men to be an invigorating and inspiring read.
Read the rest at http://thenerdybookworm.wordpress.com...
June 12, 2014
Mansfield's Book of Man Men is an absolute 'must read' for men at any stage of life. As a youth leader, I have found my new go-to gift for the young men in our church with a note attached to make sure they pass it on to their dads once they've finished it!
The 4 maxims are well covered by other reviews. Additionally, Mansfield breaks down several qualities of what it means to be the kind of men we are called to be. These chapters touch on such things as integrity, friendship, honor, adventure, etc. Each one is highlighted with an anecdote highlighting that trait from some famous (or, sometimes, not-so-famous) man of history.
The 4 maxims are well covered by other reviews. Additionally, Mansfield breaks down several qualities of what it means to be the kind of men we are called to be. These chapters touch on such things as integrity, friendship, honor, adventure, etc. Each one is highlighted with an anecdote highlighting that trait from some famous (or, sometimes, not-so-famous) man of history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews