The (Young) Men We Need: God's Purpose for Every Guy and How You Can Live It Out

by Brant Hansen

The world needs young men to grow up into real men. But here's the young men get so many conflicting messages about what it means to be a man, they find it hard to know what masculinity looks like when men are at their absolute best.

Into this cultural confusion, Brant Hansen paints a refreshingly specific, compelling picture of what men are designed to be. Combining depth and humor, he calls for young men of all interests and backgrounds to be ambitious about the right things and to see themselves as protectors and defenders of the vulnerable, with whatever resources they have at their disposal.

The (Young) Men We Need is witty, to the point, bracingly honest, and packed with wisdom. Perfect for any guy age 14 and up who wants to know "Why am I here?"—and is ready to show up. Includes discussion questions.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Genres: Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

Published April 30, 2024

About the author

Brant Hansen is a radio host who has won multiple National Personality of the Year awards. He also works with CURE International, a worldwide network of hospitals that brings life-changing medical care and the good news of God’s love to children with treatable conditions. Brant currently lives in Northern California with his wife, Carolyn; his son, Justice; and his daughter, Julia. He can be found at branthansen.com and @branthansen on Twitter.

Reviews

[Connor Weyant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s frequent quippy interjections and the “(Young)” part of this title definitely apply to the 13-18 age range as opposed to “young men” between 18-24. Nevertheless, the content of the book is incredibly valuable and necessary for ALL men regardless of age. Just keep in mind that Hansen’s previous book, “The Men We Need”, is probably more suitable for guys past their teenage years.

[Kristopher Schaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think I would like this book, but it was actually really good. If you can get past the cringy, click-bait-like comments and chapter titles (which were obviously designed to appeal to teens), the content of what he is saying is solid. Also, he is unarguably very funny/witty. There are a couple places in the book where he implicitly condones activities that just make me shake my head as a conservative Christian in terms of their worldliness. But I don’t think that’s a reason to toss the whole book.

My final takeaway is that I would love to read the original book for men now and see if it comes off better and takes the content a little deeper. If that is the case, then the original book would be well worth reading.

[Joe C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brant Hansen has become one of my favorite authors. He writes such great truths with a lot of great personal humor. I enjoyed The Men We Need as well this edition for the young guys. It helped my heart and walk with the Lord and I know it will help many others.

[Matthew McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Brant Hansen is such a good writer. He exudes wisdom on every page, and is so easy to read. I’m looking forward to checking out the version for adults, but I feel like this one would be good to give to a 14-6 year old especially interested in taking next steps in his faith.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny, honest, & blunt! Listening to Brent read his own book was definitely the way to go!

[Janelle Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put God first. Realize that there really are things only you can do, and avoid all the distractions and traps that would keep you from it. Be a man, a real man, one around whom women and children are safer.

That's the gist of the book, but it's suffused with humor and vulnerability and Brant's trademark quirkiness, and it's probably worth reading the book, not just my review.

Also, it's supposedly written for men, but I think women can also benefit. If nothing else, it gives you a blueprint for evaluating whether the guy in front of you is safe. Or not. And that's useful information, even lifesaving.

[JD' · Rating 4 out of 5]

The (young) Men we need is the abridged version of Brant Hansen's The Men We Need. This author is so good, I've decided to read all his books in a row. I'm at the 1000 Oaks DMV renewing my California driver's license writing this review which I only gave 4 stars because as they always say, sequels are never as good. Plus it's a shorter version and everything this author writes is pithy, which the Google dictionary defines as "containing much pith."
The directors cut is usually better I tend to like the longer version , unless we are talking about 1800 classic works of art, like Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo or War and Peace. Those books are too long to read. I prefer the Abridged version of children's version over the original classic. That's just me.
I'm glad I read this book and I recommend this book to every man... and my 52 week battery treatment lesbian moderator who made me write up Homework, "What is a Man?" which I had to complete if I ever wanted any hope of ever being a father again to my biological son which seems like a very basic human right in America. But it's not.

[Elizabeth]

DNF- I listened to about half of the audiobook and stopped. I legitimately like Brant Hansen and read another of his books a month or two ago, so I was reading this to see if it would be good to recommend to my 15YO. I stopped because I’ve decided it isn’t right for him, at least not now. Hansen goes into how men can find value in being protectors (great). He goes through a lot of very specific places where men often deal with sin, which is great, but is also why I’m pausing. My son doesn’t need to know about sex dolls and some other really specific sexual content. It isn’t meant to be racy (I don’t think), but it just felt very unnecessary.

[Nicole Brockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reserving the right to come back later and update this to 5 stars. High recommend this. I am handing this to my 13 yr old son to read next. I may purchase a copy for him because that’s how much I think he needs to read this book and process this message. I wish every young man in the world could read this. It isn’t a condemning message. It’s an uplifting one. Can not wait for my sons to read this and recognize their role and their potential!

Listened on Libby. Read by the author which is a great thing

[Nate Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. It centers on so many ideas that men and believers in general struggle with. I accidentally started reading this while waiting on my sister and found a book that gives a different and compelling perspective on the responsibility we hold as men and as Sons of God. God blesses us with each day and this book understands that. I hope if you are a young believer that you will read this book with curiosity and a drive to learn.

God Bless!!!

[Olivia Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for both young Christian men and women!

Brant's honesty, humour, and wisdom made this such a great read as he unpacked what true biblical masculinity is. Wow, is it so much more than what is often preached in the modern church!

This book has not only changed my perspective on men and masculinity, but also on the woman's biblical response to them.

Guys (and girls!), please read this!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd suggest teen girls read it too!

This quick read offers excellent perspectives on becoming the person you are meant to be and how that happening or not, impacts others. This would be good for any teenage boy to read. Actually I think it's good for teen girls also, so they know what to look for (and avoid) when they begin dating. The contentment and loyalty sections are definitely something everyone can benefit from understanding.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, down-to-earth, practical mentorship.
Entertaining and enjoyable to read, full of wisdom and actionable steps.
A beautiful, well written, much needed book full of encouragement, grace, challenge, and hope!

[Melanie Coetsee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have listened to this book in the mornings with my teenage sons twice now. Brant speaks truth and necessary messages on true masculinity in a way that's easily digestible for teens boys. Highly recommend.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would be blindly handing to my teen without lots of conversations connected to it. I took away many insightful phrases and concepts to implement with character development for my boys as they grow and mature.

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every young man should read this! Very timely, enjoyable, and easy to read.

[Nicholas Pokorny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky book on men owing it to themselves to take charge of themselves.

[Jeremiah Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how simplified this is for even young adult men to have good thoughts and discussions surrounding what it means to be a Godly man

[Wyatt Hebblethwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for 15-30yr olds to know Gods plan for us

[Jonah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shout out my dad for getting this

[Ben Worsham · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I reading through this together.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seemed a little repetitive but I think it would be good for my boys.