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The Truth About Men: What Men and Women Need to Know

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New York Times bestselling author and Hollywood producer DeVon Franklin speaks out frankly and openly about why men behave the way they do and what everyone—men and women alike—need to know about it.

We hear it all the time. Men cheat. Men love power. Men love sex. Men are greedy. Men are dogs. But is this the truth about men?

In this groundbreaking book, DeVon Franklin dishes the real Truth About Men by making the compelling case that men aren’t dogs but all men share the same struggle. He uses the metaphor of a dog that needs training as a way to explore why behavior persists in men that can lead them to act against their vows, their integrity and even their character.

DeVon provides the manual for how men can change, both on a personal and a societal level by providing practical solutions for helping men learn how to resist temptation, how to practice self-control and how to love. He argues the same discipline that drives men in their professional lives needs to be applied to their private lives. DeVon is also transparent about the challenges he faces daily as he endeavors to “Master the Dog” within.

But The Truth About Men isn’t just for men. DeVon tells female readers everything they need to know about men. He offers women a real-time understanding of how men’s struggle affects them, insights that can help them navigate their relationships with men and information on how to heal from the damage that some misbehaving men may have inflicted.

This book is a raw, informative, and compelling look at an issue that threatens to tear our society apart yet it offers a positive way forward for men and women alike.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 5, 2019

390 people are currently reading
1099 people want to read

About the author

DeVon Franklin

15 books202 followers
DeVon Franklin is a bestselling author, spiritual success coach, former Sony Pictures executive, and the CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a production company in conjunction with 20th Century Fox. Variety named him one of the “10 Producers to Watch” and Beliefnet called him one of the “Most Influential Christians Under 40.” Franklin is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Wait (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and Produced by Faith. He lives with Meagan in Los Angeles, California.

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52 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for Brandice.
1,254 reviews
November 27, 2019
This book came highly recommended by a close friend. Prior to the recommendation, I didn’t know who DeVon Franklin was. He is a Hollywood producer, author, preacher, and motivational speaker. He’s also a husband, married to actress Meagan Good.

In The Truth About Men, DeVon explores how men are wired to behave as well as recommendations for how men should consider acting. He uses the metaphor of a dog - They’re usually good and want to be good, but require discipline and training. He also provides suggests for women on how to help men overcome their inner dog. Communication, as you might imagine, is key.

DeVon notes men and women often interpret interactions with the opposite sex differently. Assumptions keep you in the gray. Questions bring you to the light.

Some of the topics covered in this book really aren’t relevant to me but I did find value in the reminder on other topics, particularly those focused on bettering ourselves:
- Who are you working to become? “Working to become” is the key phrase, as this is an ongoing effort that requires daily commitment.

- Vice vs Virtue diet: What we practice and consume contributes to who we are becoming. Vice is like a binge; virtue requires practice and discipline.

- Internal problems cannot be fixed by seeking external solutions. The world doesn’t need us to “do” more, it needs them to “be better.”


The Truth About Men does include some ideas I definitely don’t agree with yet I appreciate hearing the well-informed opinion of others, in this case, DeVon. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed DeVon’s voice - His belief and passion in this subject is clear in his tone throughout the book.
Profile Image for Hope Faison .
398 reviews92 followers
February 13, 2019
I loved how this book was written for both men and women.

MEN:
How often do you feel like you are going through your struggles alone with no accountability or resources? This may be a great read for you. DeVon uses his own voice and experiences to help get you through things that could be plaguing you from success and happiness in your professional life and in your relationships.

WOMEN:
How often do you wish you could help the men in your life OR how often do you wish you could stop getting into bad relationships with men with bad intentions? This may be a great read for you. I love how it serves as a resource for us women who want to EMPOWER, MOTIVATE, and SUPPORT our men. It also brought to light some warning signs of a potentially unhealthy relationship.

There were resources and tools to use at the end of each chapter. They were practical, easy to implement, and served a great purpose.

DeVon wrote from a very transparent and honest place. It made the book very relatable and genuine.

Things I didn’t like...

The continual illustration of men are dogs was so overused. I felt like it didn’t encompass all men. Just the ones that are considered said dog. It became too literal in some chapters as well. The generalization of all men are dogs was a downfall for me. But if you can push that aside and KNOW that not ALL men are dogs, you'll be good. There are some great guys out there. =)

I also thought it was a bit repetitive which made some pages easy to skim. But sometimes people need certain things to be drilled into their heads. So this may be looked as a positive to some readers!

Overall, I'm glad I read the book. It provided me some insight on struggles men face. My biggest take away was how I can help be a supporter of my future man. How I can best love him, support him, and encourage him. It also gave me tools on how to look for red flags of potentially bad relationships! It will be a time saver for sure.

Don't go into this book thinking DeVon will give you all the details of men, how to solve the mystery of them, and give us all their secrets. It's not that kind of book. It's a resource, a tool, an accountability partner, and form of support to both men and women!
Profile Image for Julia.
176 reviews9 followers
March 14, 2019
Solid three stars. I believe it's definitely geared towards individuals that seek to have a traditional, Christian marriage but good advice can be found here for anyone. It was refreshing to read a "relationship/family" book that is not telling the woman to change the way she thinks and who she is to have a healthy relationship. Men are told to be accountable for their actions and how they effect the outcome of relationships. The chapter on creating a safe space was wonderful. I do believe that (black) men have a hard time finding that safe space to express their fears, hopes, desires, etc. They need a partner they can be vulnerable with that won't use those feelings as ammunition later on down the line. It's acceptable for women to be vulnerable but what about our men. We all carry the weight and it can get heavy, hopefully we find someone who will help with the load.
Profile Image for Kimilee.
92 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2019
I did enjoy the book, however I also think it could've been a great deal shorter. The book has great tips and information but it is so repetitive. I understand why he chose the metaphor of the dog for this book but I feel like it was used a little too much. Overall, as a woman, it did offer some insight into the male mind and his drive.
Profile Image for Tariq Mahmood.
Author 2 books1,064 followers
February 19, 2019
Lost the will to read the book right in the beginning when men were blamed for ‘cheating’ while women were portrayed as victims. The base nature of men is compared to wild dogs which needs to be trained to overcome their carnal nature. Now these men, who do they cheat with? Also if the author reckons that even the most successful men have become successful with their untrained and unrestricted dog natures then the authors whole premise of training this rabid dog nature becomes a mute point.

I could not bear to read the book after the opening chapter :(
Profile Image for Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs.
333 reviews82 followers
June 7, 2024
Interesting read, I didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know. However, it was an excellent reminder of all the things I had forgotten. The book did confirm that I made a great decision in choosing my significant other.
Profile Image for Tommy Kiedis.
416 reviews16 followers
September 2, 2019
Be(a)ware of the Dog! That's the message Hollywood producer and preacher DeVon Franklin sends in The Truth About Men: What Men and Women Need to Know.

The "dog" is a metaphor for man's seemingly never-ending battle with lust.
Lust is an overwhelming selfish impulse for sexual, financial, professional, or personal fulfillment by any means necessary, even if those means are personally, professionally, or spiritually detrimental. I call this lust the Dog. Evey man has lust, aka the Dog within him, and when we allow that lust to go untrained, unmanaged, and unmastered, it can cause men to behave just like an untrained dog.
Franklin does not shy away from the tough stuff, and with good reason. This battle with lust is personal on two levels: First, this is his own fight; and second, lust severely damaged his family. Franklin discovered his father had cheated on his mom with another woman -- in his own family. That revelation sparked an obsession to get to answer two questions: (1) What is going on inside men? and Is something wrong with us?

The author is refreshingly candid. His transparency will impress you. What's more, I think it will make you want to hear what he has to say. Franklin pulls no punches. If the man doesn't master the Dog, the Dog will master the man. There's much too appreciate about Franklin's book:

1. He gives us straight talk; this is a very candid approach to a very tough subject.
2. He reminds every man that this problem is not going away, i.e. it is your battle for life (amen to that).
3. He calls out Hollywood to help change the content that contributes to lust's bite.
4. He calls out the church too. "We can talk about the fruits of the spirit, how to pray, how to preach, and how to sing praises, but rarely do we get 'real talk' about how to deal with the Dog." Ouch!
5. He encourages women (especially single women) that their worth is not tied to "giving sex" to some guy. If he can't wait, he's not worth it! I really appreciate how strong he is here. Franklin points women to their worth apart from sex, and urges them (especially single women) to draw the line. If a man rejects you because you won't "give it," that's okay. "Rejection is God's protection."
6. He addresses the addictive problem of pornography.
7. He does more than than simply preach, he offers practical help again and again: see what he says about "toughness vs enoughness," "creating a safe space," fathers, and getting outside "the box." He offers some helpful links as wells.

Franklin is Hollywood producer and unapologetic preacher. At the outset he told me, "true power to tame the Dog comes from above," and while I wasn't expecting a theological treatise on the subject, I was hoping to hear a little more of the power beyond me and within me that isn't "me." I was disappointed. That said, I appreciated his nod to the reality of lust, it's grip on men, and how to take steps to control the Dog.

As anyone who has watched someone walk their dog knows, "just because you're holding the leash doesn't mean you're the one in control." The Truth About Men: What Men And Women Need To Know will help you take control of what is on the other end of that leash.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
Author 4 books65 followers
March 5, 2020
This book was an in-depth look at the vices men - and women - have when it comes to being moral and controlling their less virtuous human urges.

I enjoyed Franklin’s candid outlook on his own struggle to “master the dog” and his call to all men to get their “dog” on a leash. There were a lot of helpful gems of insight in this book into the thought process with men in multiple stages and arenas of their life.

I would recommend this book to fan’s of Franklin’s previous books and his sermons.
Profile Image for Jypsy .
1,524 reviews62 followers
March 4, 2019
The Truth About Men is not the type of book I normally read. I thought this would be interesting, but I failed to connect with this story. Unfortunately, I didn't have a great interest in the book after all. It's got great potential for the right reader, but that's not me. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
48 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2021
Ever wondered why men and women's worlds are so different? This book is a peek into a man's world and helps not only men to understand themselves but women as well, to comprehend the makeup of men. I highly recommend it and I'd definitely read this again and again. Worth keeping a hard copy on the shelf
Profile Image for Martin Mikan.
1 review
March 19, 2019
This book is just another peace of feminist propaganda that has no scientific basis what so ever and just blames men for everything without - as it would seem to me - any conscious thought or proper discussion before releasing - save your money
Profile Image for Katie.
162 reviews
December 29, 2021
DNF. “The dog, the dog, the dog…”. Franklin repeatedly (as in over & over & over again. Ad nauseam) attributes men to dogs and talks about how they supposedly need to be trained. “Me Too” & “Times Up” are also repeated over and over. Not what I was looking for.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,276 reviews8 followers
March 2, 2019
Initially intrigued by the title similar to the movie What Men Want, I picked up a copy of The Truth about Men. As I began reading, I discovered that this book and the concepts therein are much more than a hashtag. Author DeVon Franklin uses the analogy of Dog and Master to uncover the battle with lust versus love.

“Lust is an overwhelming selfish impulse for sexual, financial, professional, or any personal fulfillment by any means necessary, even if those means are personally, professionally, or spiritually detrimental. I called this lust the Dog. The Dog becomes a Beast when a man becomes physically, emotionally, spiritually, or psychologically violent to satisfy lust. Mastery...is the practice of learning to love. The cure for the problem of the Dog (lust) is Mastery (love).” Any mastery I achieve is gained only to the degree to which I submit myself to the Master.

“We have a lot of experience living with some of our wants unmet...The practice of consistently sacrificing my personal desire for sex, managing my own lust for power, and committing to the process of personal successes a single man has helped me navigate the challenges...as a married man.”

Franklin underscores the significance of abstinence as an antidote to the lust epidemic. “Celibacy is the ultimate self-discipline...The health and well-being of our society is directly linked to how we date...Sex outside [marriage] is what I call ‘Dog food.’...You can’t date the Dog and marry the Master.” Man’s “rejection is God’s protection.”

A REAL man “knows how to honor himself and the women in his life. He’s respectful and consistent. He’s a warrior for peace and well-being. He craves responsibility and accepts accountability. He’s a builder who creates a happy home and a strong family because they are the most important things in his life. He’s at his best, fully expressing his potential. He’s thoughtful and compassionate. He’s sexy because he can handle commitment...Most of all, [he] bows to the Master. He understands that true power...comes from above.”

Autonomy doesn’t ascribe a male his manhood.
Age doesn’t make a boy an adult.
A degree doesn’t confer wisdom.
A title doesn’t create a leader.
Paternity doesn’t produce a father.
Integrity is the litmus test that defines identity.

“Integrity is not what we do when others are [not] watching; it’s what we do when no one else is around.” Through the metaphors of fine china and taekwondo, Franklin explores both the fragility and the tenacity of trust. “Trust is like an antique vase: slow and difficult to mend, distressingly easy to shatter, and nearly impossible to mend.” Being a black belt is not about doing. Wearing a black belt is about being. The same holds true if worship. In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Worship is not confined to the sacrifices we make, it is defined by the attitude of obedience with which we make them. Legacy is the life we leave for those who look to us to lead. The Truth About Men provides a guidebook for how men and women can train up the next generation of boys into REAL men who will fulfill their God given destiny. A must-read.
Profile Image for Andrial Durant.
104 reviews
November 7, 2019
This was a very hard read for me because I discovered that I was not the target audience for this book. Women and Men face the same struggles in relationships and it just felt like to me that Mr. Franklin was giving men an excuse to lust and cheat. I’m sorry I am just not at the point in my life and or relationship where my partner can confide in about his desires or lust for the bitch next door. Lusting after Lucy Liu a celebrity and lusting after Becky with the good hair that is your coworker is too different conversations that I am willing to endulge my partner in conversation. And that does not make me a bad woman or partner. I think that both men and women have lust...it is an okay feeling to have, but the problem is when the man or woman acts upon that lust. And I am sorry...a conversation is not going to stop or help it as Mr Franklin suggests. In my book club...I asked the question...what is a woman suppose to do when her partner tells her about his lust? Not even the two other men in our club were able to answer what the woman is suppose to do when her partner tells her he is struggling with lust. Also, the dog this, the dog that....woof woof woof...was a bit much for me. This book was one topic “women men are dogs and so you have to train them to train they lust” repeated over and over in each chapter. I think Mr Franklin should have stuck with his first thought and not wrote this book if this is how a picture of his dad, mom and mistress was going to make him think about his struggles with infidelities. Sounds like a book deal obligation that he had to meet and just threw this topic together and dragged it out. Like I said some reviews praise this book and so to me that means clearly this wasn’t a book target for me...and that’s okay. My partner knows he can talk to me about anything that he struggles with and thinks that I have an idea or suggestion that would help but unfortunately the one think I don’t have a solution for is what to do about his lust for another. I think if any person in a relationship and is struggling with lust then it is a solo journey of discovery. I mean you don’t see me in the bathroom holding my man penis and aiming in the toilet...no...that’s his solo journey with Clorox spray and tissue. 🤣
Profile Image for Adrienna.
Author 18 books242 followers
May 31, 2019
DeVon Franklin tends to read his own book on audio. He portrays men as "dogs" which seem to be the standard staying, and opens it up for discussion in the introduction. Not only portraying as such, but much comparison: "Dog [man] hungers for vice, women, money, power, and possessions." He quotes, 'If the man doesn't master the Dog, the Dog will master the man.' He strongly states that every man has lust in him (I would add so does women), and every man has the Dog in him, which you have to learn to master it. Love is the key. Honesty. Respect. Responsible. Thoughtful. Compassionate. Training is important. (All of this is provided in the introduction alone).

I do agree with the false ideology, and such entitlement by men believing they are superior over women.

Most of the material has been addressed in other self help or relationship books, but just cleverly used the metaphor of men vs. Dogs. As a child, I heard a rhyme about girls being sweet like candy, sleek like cats, and men as dirty, dogs and snails.

Romans 12:12 did tie into not being conformed to culture, worldly lifestyle and or customs. Instant vs. Delayed gratification.

O didn't care for feed the dog either soul food (reminds me of feeding our souls) vs. Dog food (feeding the dog).

Disclaimer: I borrowed an audiobook and eBook version to read and provide a honest review. It was an okay read for me and easy, read on a week via ebook and audio book was quicker.
Profile Image for Ryan Kyle.
27 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2019
The author takes a very interesting approach to discussing the natural man by comparing it to a man's "dog self". Interestingly, this is an insightful perspective into the natural tendencies of men while not excusing them. He teaches that we need to become the Master over our inner dog and the righteous nature of some of these dog tendencies. What I liked about this is the ability to separate the "dog" tendencies from my true better self. This separation of identity and natural tendencies relieved me of the shame long enough to understand the power I had to become the Master over the dog. This is essential for men.

Although there are elements that I may not completely agree with, I believe the perspective and principles explained in this book are important and necessary for men to understand. I highly recommend this book for men and women as it provides great insights for women into men as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Key.
115 reviews
June 30, 2022
um, i may be a bit naïve I'm not sure ,lol

somethings that he mentioned were spot on and there were others i kinda gave a side eye because he continuously used the word ALL men. I don' think all men are the same. Call me crazy but yeah I don't believe all men are the same when it comes down to sexual urges etc. I could be wrong.

Nevertheless, it was entertainment for a while and then it continued to repeat itself in some instances. I am not sure I would take marriage advice from him however, knowing he is newly divorced. I am not sure his information is truly accurate, however with the exception of one line "Don't tell your single friends about your marriage issues. I believe that and hold it true because a single friend can not tell you about the married life.

I am still curious to know if the number is accurate when it comes to the amount of men that watch porn on a monthly basis

either way just an okay read for me.
208 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2019
This is an INCREDIBLE book. It should be mandatory reading for men in primary and high school even college. Before people are hired they should be interviewed for understanding the content in this book. It's life changing!
I highlighted literally chapters. Gold.
Here's the thing-women are advised a lot on what to do to get a man, keep him, love him, the works. men, less so. Hazy assumptions on what it means to be a man drive their lives to the sewer, destruction on a nuclear scale. The issues men deal with are so complex, multi-faceted and the worst part-never expressed. Devon Franklin thank you for writing this. It's real, your honesty is inspired, your empathy is unparalleled. This will impact generations of men.
If there is repetition, it's because it's needed to drive the point home. If only every man on earth would read this.
Profile Image for Kelly Russell.
111 reviews4 followers
October 16, 2019
3.5 Stars - A good book to start with if you haven't read a book on men 'issues,' what it means to "be a man."

DeVon Franklin's book, The Truth About Men, chiefly presents an understanding of a man's greatest struggle - discipline - mostly when it comes to controlling his sexual urges and temptations.
And the challenges of controlling and disciplining himself in all areas of life.

Two thirds of the book deals with understanding and gaining control, 'Mastery' over The Dog, the untrained sexual nature of a man.

The last third goes over a lot, including:
~ The impact of fathers on sons
~ Social conditioning of men.
~ Admitting and dealing with shame and brokenness
~ Finding worth in who we are, not in what we do

Less than 300 pages there's a lot about how to be men of character - understanding, honoring, respecting self, and others.
1 review
September 15, 2021
Life Changing

This book is one that I have and am currently recommending to my closest friends and family members. I not only feel that it’s a great read for men, it also good for women, singles, and married couples alike. It definitely helps to bring things into perspective. And contrary to some of the reviews about him “bashing men” or saying that they’re all “dogs”, this book is a great self help book. While I know that this book is primarily focuses on men, I realized that even as a woman, I have a lot of the Dog in me too. This is one I’ll definitely be reading again, with hopes to gain another new perspective.
26 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2019
It was a good read but I cringe when I read books that I feel excuses men's unacceptable behavior. Although D. Franklin put the disclaimer out that he was not excusing men's behavior it still doesn't negate the fact that's how some women view books that covers this topic. Women have been through a lot through the actions of a man, and are broken due to the trauma they experienced over the course of their lives but in most cases women work towards healing themselves so they can treat themselves better and be better for and towards others.
Profile Image for Bree Cooksey.
14 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2019
I thought this book was phenomenally written and provided great insight to many of the struggles men have, but really the struggles of people in general. Although the main theme of the book is explaining men’s battle with lust. As a woman reading this book, you find yourself inserting your greatest struggles, because the advice is still relevant. This will definitely be a book where I keep a few copies on hand at all times to gift to women and men in need. I’m also planning to send it to my dad and brother, because they need this book in their life.
Profile Image for WriteVibeMagazine.
321 reviews19 followers
December 11, 2019
The Truth About Men: What Men and Women Need to Know by Devon Franklin gives practical tools for relationship success if men can successfully graduate from the "Dog" mentality.

This book is a straight no chaser look into men and the poor choices they make. This is not just for men but for the females to see how and why some things occur as Franklin examines behavior too.

Practical, relatable and most importantly USEFUL.

4 Stars
Review Copy Supplied By Publisher
Reviewed by Kisha Green for Literary Jewels
Profile Image for Jan Norton.
1,887 reviews3 followers
December 15, 2021
This book is very frank and written more for the younger generation. Devon Franklin is very honest and frank and it’s writing. A couple Of the quotes that stood out to me: “the quality of your life depends on the desires you choose to pursue and those who choose to forgo.“. “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your job daily routine. “– John Maxwell. “What are you willing to go with them to get what you want? What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals? “
Profile Image for Catherine Flynn.
159 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2022
This is an amazing book. The courage of the author to put himself out there, becoming vulnerable through his book was a big move to help both men and women. Speaking on behalf of men, understanding what they're going through, how they control the 'dog' in them would give them so kuch support and safe space. That powerful. This would be a great re-read and wouldn't mind to do so. For all the women and even men, grab this special book because it's raw and straight-forward from a Christian man point of view. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Arion Wheeler.
2 reviews
February 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this book by DeVon Franklin. He really goes into detail about different things, and also scenarios that both men and women should know about each other. I think this is a great book for any young man, or any young young woman who wants to better themselves, and also understand how women and men navigate dealing with vices. Especially being Christian and wanting to have a healthy relationship but most importantly with themselves. There are a lot of good tips throughout this book.
Profile Image for Shannan Harper.
2,462 reviews28 followers
April 15, 2019
The Truth about Men is an inspiring book for the men that want to change, and for the women who know they deserve better. In this book, Minister Franklin recounts some of his own personal struggles in order to help men become the best men they can be. There are also tips for women to understand more about the man they're in a relationship with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuester for an ARC of this book. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Madlyn.
841 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2019
Devon did a good job explaining the little head. He had explained in his book men have to learn how mind over matter is the key to controlling his manhood. This teaching was so much different from what I had learned from other brotherly in men my life such as: my brother, Steve Harvey and others. Devon really broke it down to the raw and dirty truth about a man’s natural physical urges and instinct when it comes to controlling his little dog.
Profile Image for Kya.
57 reviews7 followers
October 3, 2019
3.5 stars. I didn't like the "dog" descriptor for men's lust and how the book, at times, made it seem like it is "out-of-this-world" difficult for a man to control his sexual urges. Almost as if men need/deserve extreme sympathy and patience for lustful feelings/actions. However, I do think a lot of "aha" moments can be had, by men as well as women though. It's like a refresher or tune-up for those who already know the deal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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