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The Illustrated Art of Manliness: The Essential How-To Guide: Survival, Chivalry, Self-Defense, Style, Car Repair, And More!
An indispensable, hands-on guide dedicated to the lost art of being a man, The Illustrated Art of Manliness distills more than 100 practical skills every modern man needs to know into an entertaining, easy-to-follow visual format.
Founder of The Art of Manliness Brett McKay and bestselling illustrator Ted Slampyak write brilliantly illustrated articles to help men be the best fathers, brothers, sons, and men they can be. This book features their most essential work alongside dozens of never-before seen guides on subjects ranging from chivalry and self-defense to courage and car repair, including:
How to disarm an attacker
How to fell a tree and start a fire anywhere
How a car engine works, and how to fix it
How to use every tool in your toolbox
What to wear on a first date and to a job interview
How to lead a meeting and command the attention of a room
How to dance, fight, shave, shake a hand, pick a lock, and fire a gun
And other advice for when you're lost, in danger, or merely confronting a shirt that needs to be ironed.
The Illustrated Art of Manliness features a classic, timeless package, including full-color illustrations, and will be a perfect gift for you or the man in your life.
Founder of The Art of Manliness Brett McKay and bestselling illustrator Ted Slampyak write brilliantly illustrated articles to help men be the best fathers, brothers, sons, and men they can be. This book features their most essential work alongside dozens of never-before seen guides on subjects ranging from chivalry and self-defense to courage and car repair, including:
How to disarm an attacker
How to fell a tree and start a fire anywhere
How a car engine works, and how to fix it
How to use every tool in your toolbox
What to wear on a first date and to a job interview
How to lead a meeting and command the attention of a room
How to dance, fight, shave, shake a hand, pick a lock, and fire a gun
And other advice for when you're lost, in danger, or merely confronting a shirt that needs to be ironed.
The Illustrated Art of Manliness features a classic, timeless package, including full-color illustrations, and will be a perfect gift for you or the man in your life.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 16, 2017
130 people are currently reading
1278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 30, 2017
“Today, a gentleman cares about how he looks and how he behaves. Put simply, he gives a damn. He strives for polish not out of vanity, but out of a concern for other people. His presence adds to the ambiance and texture of an occasion. When he practices courtesy, he uplifts those with whom he interacts.” (p. 55)
This little book is beautifully designed and well-illustrated, in the old-timey way that the Art of Manliness has come to be known for. It's divided into six chapters:
The Adventurer
The Gentleman
The Technician
The Warrior
The Family Man
The Leader
Each of the chapters has sections from the humorous ("Cool Uncle Tricks") to the everyday ("Shave with a Safety Razor") to the Jason Bournish ("Fight an Active Shooter" and "Defend Yourself from a Knife Attack"). You aren't buried with detail but are given enough information to actually be competent (if, especially in a case of high stress, you can overcome the panic).
It's a unique and thoughtful book to give to the men in your life - not because they will read in one sitting or even many sittings, but because they can go the various chapters that interest them and read the sections they want to learn, and as they get better, might master.
This little book is beautifully designed and well-illustrated, in the old-timey way that the Art of Manliness has come to be known for. It's divided into six chapters:
The Adventurer
The Gentleman
The Technician
The Warrior
The Family Man
The Leader
Each of the chapters has sections from the humorous ("Cool Uncle Tricks") to the everyday ("Shave with a Safety Razor") to the Jason Bournish ("Fight an Active Shooter" and "Defend Yourself from a Knife Attack"). You aren't buried with detail but are given enough information to actually be competent (if, especially in a case of high stress, you can overcome the panic).
It's a unique and thoughtful book to give to the men in your life - not because they will read in one sitting or even many sittings, but because they can go the various chapters that interest them and read the sections they want to learn, and as they get better, might master.
July 18, 2017
The Art of Manliness website and podcast has been offering advice, tips, and guidance to men on a wide variety of practical skills from chopping firewood to shining shoes to jump-starting a car to escaping zip-tie handcuffs and giving a manly handshake. Often on the website, these skills are taught through illustrated guides showing step-by-step instructions with easy-to-follow and classic-looking pictures. They've deliberately patterned them after drawings like those found in old Boys' Life magazines. This current book brings together dozens of these guides and adds some new ones to the mix.
The book is entertaining and informative, full of stuff I already knew and stuff I was dying to know (walking like a ninja is way cooler than walking like an Egyptian (sorry, Bangles)). It both reads quickly and is easy to jump in and out of--if you are like me, the kids are always interrupting reading time.
Highly recommended.
The book is entertaining and informative, full of stuff I already knew and stuff I was dying to know (walking like a ninja is way cooler than walking like an Egyptian (sorry, Bangles)). It both reads quickly and is easy to jump in and out of--if you are like me, the kids are always interrupting reading time.
Highly recommended.
July 12, 2017
When life throws challenges, every man needs to have the knowledge to handle those challenges. The author has taken tons of scenarios that a man might encounter such as how to survive a bear attach or run a great meeting and paired them with illustrations to make learning fun and easy.
My husband and son loved reading this book. My pre-teen son especially enjoyed it and kept sharing things with me as he read it. The list of things that are included are varied, the illustrations really help tie everything together. I was really impressed with some of the things covered and how well they were explained. While surviving a bear attack is something that might not every happen to the normal man, learning to swaddle a baby or be a gentleman is definitely a requirement. Enjoyed the book and loved watching my son enjoy it as well. Would definitely recommend this as a gift for the gentleman in your life.
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.
My husband and son loved reading this book. My pre-teen son especially enjoyed it and kept sharing things with me as he read it. The list of things that are included are varied, the illustrations really help tie everything together. I was really impressed with some of the things covered and how well they were explained. While surviving a bear attack is something that might not every happen to the normal man, learning to swaddle a baby or be a gentleman is definitely a requirement. Enjoyed the book and loved watching my son enjoy it as well. Would definitely recommend this as a gift for the gentleman in your life.
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.
September 16, 2017
Apparently one skill men don't need is thinking critically about cultural norms. Having said that, this book is filled with practical advice on a wide variety of subjects. Perfect for writers trying to increase verisimilitude, and potentially even useful to readers who want to do more repair work, though it might be a little brief for some subjects.
May 5, 2019
Bret McKay and AOM is one of a kind content in todays generation full of weak men. Not sure if the book is worth it? Log onto artofmanliness.com and decide for yourself.
June 21, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and received it via UPS from the publisher, Little, Brown and company along with a very nice letter.
The letter described the book as a hands-on visual guide to reclaim the lost art of manliness so that the reader has the wisdom to know the right thing to do, the courage to start it, the skill to complete it, and the style to look sharp along the way. Very clever explanation of the book and spot on! I'm a girl and not in need of manliness, but I really did enjoy this book. I thought it would be kind of a humorous joke book, but it is definitely not. There are some really very helpful gems in this book broken down into perfectly titled chapters like: The Adventurer, with information on how to build a campfire and how to survive a bear attack. Another chapter entitled The Gentleman, covers things like, how to grill the perfect steak, tie a bow tie, match a shirt and tie, and a roadmap to the perfect first date. There is even a Family man section with advice for everything from delivering a baby too cool Uncle tricks.
This book has it all and I'm actually having a hard time deciding which man or teen boy in my life needs this book most.
This would actually make a good highschool or college graduation gift!
You can't go wrong with this book!
The letter described the book as a hands-on visual guide to reclaim the lost art of manliness so that the reader has the wisdom to know the right thing to do, the courage to start it, the skill to complete it, and the style to look sharp along the way. Very clever explanation of the book and spot on! I'm a girl and not in need of manliness, but I really did enjoy this book. I thought it would be kind of a humorous joke book, but it is definitely not. There are some really very helpful gems in this book broken down into perfectly titled chapters like: The Adventurer, with information on how to build a campfire and how to survive a bear attack. Another chapter entitled The Gentleman, covers things like, how to grill the perfect steak, tie a bow tie, match a shirt and tie, and a roadmap to the perfect first date. There is even a Family man section with advice for everything from delivering a baby too cool Uncle tricks.
This book has it all and I'm actually having a hard time deciding which man or teen boy in my life needs this book most.
This would actually make a good highschool or college graduation gift!
You can't go wrong with this book!
November 20, 2019
Why give this book five stars?
It's not because only a man needs to know how to escape from a sinking car. Or how to fell a tree.
It's because of its approach. Its format. The way it instructs you - even if the instructions could be more comprehensive. But could all books like this - forget the masculinity, it's a guidebook for everyone in a way, I don't buy its target market - benefit from what it does here, reduce all enterprise to a a hard diamond of concrete advice? Yes!
I don't know much about some of these things. But where I do, it's a bit lacking. Felling a tree is something I've done frequently and the instructions are a bit bare.
But look - no personal stories. No verbose context. No memories, dreams, reflections from the author. It gets right down to it with precise, direct, short instructions.
I read that you've got about 120 seconds to escape from a sinking car. That's *literally* enough time to remove this book from your glove compartment, consult the index*, reading the guidance, and then escape.
If only guidebooks, or 'introductions to', or 'for beginners' - of which I read many, none or few recorded here - kept to this format. We'd all be richer and have more time to escape.
*The entry is called 'Escape from a sinking car'.
It's not because only a man needs to know how to escape from a sinking car. Or how to fell a tree.
It's because of its approach. Its format. The way it instructs you - even if the instructions could be more comprehensive. But could all books like this - forget the masculinity, it's a guidebook for everyone in a way, I don't buy its target market - benefit from what it does here, reduce all enterprise to a a hard diamond of concrete advice? Yes!
I don't know much about some of these things. But where I do, it's a bit lacking. Felling a tree is something I've done frequently and the instructions are a bit bare.
But look - no personal stories. No verbose context. No memories, dreams, reflections from the author. It gets right down to it with precise, direct, short instructions.
I read that you've got about 120 seconds to escape from a sinking car. That's *literally* enough time to remove this book from your glove compartment, consult the index*, reading the guidance, and then escape.
If only guidebooks, or 'introductions to', or 'for beginners' - of which I read many, none or few recorded here - kept to this format. We'd all be richer and have more time to escape.
*The entry is called 'Escape from a sinking car'.
November 7, 2017
A spotty collection: as a how-to manual for shining your shoes, yes, sure, go for it. About how to do a low-bar squat? No. On how a suit should fit? Sure. About how to fell a tree (the illustrated one being ~8 feet circumference)? Hell no. Paddle a canoe? Sure. Build a log raft? Wha…?? You get the picture. Good for things like table manners and etiquette, not so much on things like fighting an active shooter. Still, the inclusion of the Eisenhower decision matrix brings this up to above average status. Chapters cover six broad areas: family man, leader, adventurer, technician, gentleman, warrior. Lessons are usually two pages with at least six of Ted Slampyak’s splendidly clear illustrations. Maybe for recent graduates. VERDICT There’s more good than bad, and readers should be able to learn at least a little something by flicking through—as long as you don’t get stupid by following two pages of advice on say, avoiding a shark attack.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
April 30, 2021
This book is so much fun!
In recent years, the dubious term "toxic masculinity" has been casually tossed around so much, it's truly high time we advocated some positive masculinity. This book, as its title suggests, teaches you the skills of a man, including bodybuilding, dressing smartly, felling trees, making a torch, surviving a bear attack, jumping out of a moving, handling pressure, comforting a baby, and so much more. It's kind of old-schooled, sure, and not all the skills are highly applicable in day-to day life, but the format and presentation—comprising concise language, vivid drawings, and timely humor—are really informative, entertaining, and dare I say addictive. So yeah, like I said, lotsa fun.
The Art of Manliness is reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein's archetypal "The competent man". From his work, Time Enough for Love:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
In recent years, the dubious term "toxic masculinity" has been casually tossed around so much, it's truly high time we advocated some positive masculinity. This book, as its title suggests, teaches you the skills of a man, including bodybuilding, dressing smartly, felling trees, making a torch, surviving a bear attack, jumping out of a moving, handling pressure, comforting a baby, and so much more. It's kind of old-schooled, sure, and not all the skills are highly applicable in day-to day life, but the format and presentation—comprising concise language, vivid drawings, and timely humor—are really informative, entertaining, and dare I say addictive. So yeah, like I said, lotsa fun.
The Art of Manliness is reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein's archetypal "The competent man". From his work, Time Enough for Love:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
May 7, 2020
I'm finishing this book on manliness while drinking a rosé in a bath full of bubbles. Brett McKay, with his assumptions that if you are a man with a child, you must also have a wife, send to come from a kinder, gentler branch of conservatism that feels like a childhood friend.
This book reminds me of the Dangerous Book for Boys -- lots of things every boy should know, like tying a tie, old-timey courtship etiquette, and proper handkerchief use.
This conception of a gentleman is schooled in the "a gentleman closes the drapes so mother's furniture doesn't fade" tradition, which I don't dislike, but which is at odds with the initial John Wayne quote "You've Got to Be a Man Before You Can Be a Gentleman."
This book reminds me of the Dangerous Book for Boys -- lots of things every boy should know, like tying a tie, old-timey courtship etiquette, and proper handkerchief use.
This conception of a gentleman is schooled in the "a gentleman closes the drapes so mother's furniture doesn't fade" tradition, which I don't dislike, but which is at odds with the initial John Wayne quote "You've Got to Be a Man Before You Can Be a Gentleman."
March 20, 2025
Well, fellas, it’s finally here—the handbook to manliness that none of us realized we desperately needed. Did you wake up this morning unsure how to fell a tree, start a fire, or properly iron your shirt? Fear not! The Illustrated Art of Manliness has your back. This book is essentially the Swiss Army knife of masculinity, packed with 100+ skills that will transform you from “guy who barely changes his oil” to “legendary lumberjack-warrior-scholar with a perfectly executed handshake.”
The illustrations? Stunning. The advice? Life-changing. One minute, you’re learning how to disarm an attacker (because that’s totally a daily concern), and the next, you’re mastering the art of looking presentable on a first date—just in case your previous technique of showing up in wrinkled cargo shorts wasn’t working. And let’s not forget the crucial “how to pick a lock” section, which I’m sure is meant for emergencies and definitely not for breaking into your roommate’s snack stash.
Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or a guy who considers assembling IKEA furniture a survival skill, this book has something for you. It’s an absolute must-have for anyone looking to level up their masculinity—or at the very least, figure out how to dance without looking like an inflatable tube man.
✨ Final Verdict: Buy it. Read it. Absorb its wisdom. And then go confidently into the world, knowing that you are now a true man. Or at least, a man who knows which tool to use without Googling it first.
The illustrations? Stunning. The advice? Life-changing. One minute, you’re learning how to disarm an attacker (because that’s totally a daily concern), and the next, you’re mastering the art of looking presentable on a first date—just in case your previous technique of showing up in wrinkled cargo shorts wasn’t working. And let’s not forget the crucial “how to pick a lock” section, which I’m sure is meant for emergencies and definitely not for breaking into your roommate’s snack stash.
Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or a guy who considers assembling IKEA furniture a survival skill, this book has something for you. It’s an absolute must-have for anyone looking to level up their masculinity—or at the very least, figure out how to dance without looking like an inflatable tube man.
✨ Final Verdict: Buy it. Read it. Absorb its wisdom. And then go confidently into the world, knowing that you are now a true man. Or at least, a man who knows which tool to use without Googling it first.
June 2, 2019
If only I didn't skim through this I would be an expert in chopping trees, fighting bears, and escaping from cars sinking into the ocean. Damn, if only I read this book slower and gave it the attention it deserved I wouldn't be drowning in my car while losing a fight to a bear! Why did I make such a terrible life decision?! Blurrrrrbllllleeeee...
December 25, 2020
The book reminds me of the "Worse Case Scenario" series of books. It's not meant to be a detailed instruction manual, but a broad survey of the various aspects of life. I think this book is most appropriate for older teens and young adult but even as a seasoned man, I learned a few things and more importantly, was reminded of a few things.
June 29, 2017
I received this charming, informative read as a Goodreads giveaway. The author divides this well written and illustrated book effectively by personal attributes and characteristics. The helpful hints provided are sometimes whimsical yet useful for specific life situations.
September 13, 2020
I suppose this is a decent enough collection of stuff any man ought to know but there’s nothing particularly interesting about the presentation. It reads more like a benign list — and there’s some value in that — but nothing unique.
April 30, 2025
Informative, witty and helpful guide for everything from changing a spare tyre to changing a babies nappy or from getting in shape to how to enter a room and exit a conversation. Just very, very useful.
May 18, 2017
Full of good advice and fun illustrations.
June 10, 2017
I would highly recommend this book for any young person you need to get a gift for.
June 20, 2017
This is a good book encapsulating some of what makes "The Art of Manliness" great but if you really want a great read you have to read the original "The Art of Manliness".
August 19, 2017
Very interesting, very practical and entertaining ! A must read ! I learned a lot !!! It's like having my father giving me advises on every subjects that matters... Keep it on hand !
August 31, 2017
Great tips, solid breadth of knowledge. Fun book
November 23, 2017
very few ok advices on this book. not many things a man knows already. far too many advices for extreme situations quite unlikely to happen and even more unlikely to fix by just remembering the book.
April 18, 2018
Handy resource. Old-time party tricks work
September 16, 2019
very useful
October 7, 2019
Practical, helpful, and to-the-point. The illustrations are great.
Read
October 22, 2019If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.
All the best,
- TB
All the best,
- TB
September 23, 2021
Ah but perhaps the present has lost the Sine Qua Non of a Man
July 29, 2022
Fun book to read, preparing you for those times when you may need to jump from a speeding car, find water in the wild, defend yourself from a knife attack, and many other manly things.
Read
March 15, 2023A fun read-aloud with my boys.
September 4, 2024
I didn’t know I needed this book until I read it. Still have a long way to go to master each of the categories, but I feel that every man should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews