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Good Man: An Honest Journey Into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be
One look at our cultural moment and it's easy to tell that men and their identities are in crisis. Though lost and fractured, men face the pressure to be perfect. Our reactionary society is quick to condemn and slow to forgive, leaving men more confused than ever about how to live and who to be. Yet in Scripture, we continually find God choosing to work in and through flawed, imperfect, and broken individuals. Men who had massive character flaws and significant moral failings, but who also shared one important characteristic: the desire to follow the call of their Creator.
With engaging personal stories and insight into biblical truths, Nathan Clarkson declares to today's man that he is more than what the culture is telling him he is--angry, selfish, predatory, violent, and bored. Instead, still on the journey himself, Nathan calls today's man to find his identity in the One who created him on purpose, for a purpose, and encourages him to live an honest, authentic life marked by a winsome combination of confidence and humility.
With engaging personal stories and insight into biblical truths, Nathan Clarkson declares to today's man that he is more than what the culture is telling him he is--angry, selfish, predatory, violent, and bored. Instead, still on the journey himself, Nathan calls today's man to find his identity in the One who created him on purpose, for a purpose, and encourages him to live an honest, authentic life marked by a winsome combination of confidence and humility.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2020
14 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Clarkson
17 books44 followersNathan Clarkson is an award winning actor, best-selling author, indie filmmaker, podcast philosopher, and member of the well-known and beloved Clarkson Family.
As an actor, Nathan has appeared in numerous national commercials, many TV-shows like NBC’s Community, and multiple major feature films like Universal’s The Purge.
As a filmmaker Nathan’s original movies have appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pureflix and more. With his company, Clarkson Creations, Nathan has produced such indie hits as Confessions of a Prodigal Son, The Unlikely Good Samaritan, Miracle on Highway 34, and most recently Don’t Know Jack, featuring Hollywood stars and Oscar Nominated actors. Nathan’s next project, Bright Sky, an Americana romance movie, is currently in development.
As an author, Nathan’s signature memoir-esque style, filled with thought and reflections on various topics, can be found in multiple books. His first book Different; a personal memoir of stories of and thoughts on growing up with a nuerodivergent mind and mental illness, quickly became a national best seller after an interview on NBC's Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Since, Nathan has written books Good Man, The Way of King’s, and children’s picture books, Only You Can Be You and the The Clubhouse. Nathan’s most recent book Finding God in Hollywood is out now.
Nathan is the co-host of the popular podcast The Overthinkers “Having fun thinking deeply”. The podcast covers topics of faith, philosophy, culture, creativity, and the big questions of life. The program features a host of influential and interesting guests and boasts over 100k downloads.
Nathan’s words have been featured and quoted in outlets like The LA Times, Variety, The Gazette, Publisher's Weekly, World Magazine, Religion Unplugged, and more.
Nathan lives with his wife Keelia Clarkson and his golden retriever, Darcy, between the lights of Los Angeles, the streets of New York City, and the wilds Colorado Springs.
As an actor, Nathan has appeared in numerous national commercials, many TV-shows like NBC’s Community, and multiple major feature films like Universal’s The Purge.
As a filmmaker Nathan’s original movies have appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pureflix and more. With his company, Clarkson Creations, Nathan has produced such indie hits as Confessions of a Prodigal Son, The Unlikely Good Samaritan, Miracle on Highway 34, and most recently Don’t Know Jack, featuring Hollywood stars and Oscar Nominated actors. Nathan’s next project, Bright Sky, an Americana romance movie, is currently in development.
As an author, Nathan’s signature memoir-esque style, filled with thought and reflections on various topics, can be found in multiple books. His first book Different; a personal memoir of stories of and thoughts on growing up with a nuerodivergent mind and mental illness, quickly became a national best seller after an interview on NBC's Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Since, Nathan has written books Good Man, The Way of King’s, and children’s picture books, Only You Can Be You and the The Clubhouse. Nathan’s most recent book Finding God in Hollywood is out now.
Nathan is the co-host of the popular podcast The Overthinkers “Having fun thinking deeply”. The podcast covers topics of faith, philosophy, culture, creativity, and the big questions of life. The program features a host of influential and interesting guests and boasts over 100k downloads.
Nathan’s words have been featured and quoted in outlets like The LA Times, Variety, The Gazette, Publisher's Weekly, World Magazine, Religion Unplugged, and more.
Nathan lives with his wife Keelia Clarkson and his golden retriever, Darcy, between the lights of Los Angeles, the streets of New York City, and the wilds Colorado Springs.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 12, 2021
This was a super quick read. Although particularly directed towards men, I think there is something to be said for moms giving it a good read as well. This book is a helpful tool to understanding some of the struggles and thought processes that men and young boys can have when one is raising sons.
Speaking personally, I've read of Sally Clarkson's books and one of the chief reasons reading this book was helpful was because it taught me more about their family and what they've experienced in life. It makes the message you hear from his mother all that more impacting and meaningful. It's a brave book and not the least what I expected. It's a good book.
As other reviewers for this book have said -- it's not that this book is a spiritual treatise. It is, however, an encouragement and it made me excited not only for Nathan's journey, but more so my own son's journey as he navigates life being a little "different" than most.
Speaking personally, I've read of Sally Clarkson's books and one of the chief reasons reading this book was helpful was because it taught me more about their family and what they've experienced in life. It makes the message you hear from his mother all that more impacting and meaningful. It's a brave book and not the least what I expected. It's a good book.
As other reviewers for this book have said -- it's not that this book is a spiritual treatise. It is, however, an encouragement and it made me excited not only for Nathan's journey, but more so my own son's journey as he navigates life being a little "different" than most.
September 29, 2023
3.5/5 - After reading a few books about women, theology, and spirituality, it seemed appropriate to flip the script and read one about men too! I have listened to Nathan’s podcast for a while, so it was cool to hear more of his personal story here. I appreciated his honesty and earnestness, and, while this was not a book that blew me away, I did think it was biblically solid and fleshes out the qualities of good masculinity without conflating it with being a stereotypically “manly man.”
October 13, 2020
Summary: Goes beyond the stereotypes of what a “real man” is to explore the character of a good man and the journey of discovery this involves.
This is a hard time to be a man. There are all the stereotypes of what a “real” man is. There is also a widespread rejection of these stereotypes. The author goes a different way in this book. He explores what the character of a “good” man is, defining masculinity in terms of Christian character rather than external characteristics, roles, or stereotypes.
The author completes the sentence “Good men are…” with fifteen different qualities. Some sound like traditional stereotypic masculine traits like adventurous, heroic, ambitious, and fighting, but with each of these, the author thinks redemptively. For example, he would encourage fighting for the good and the just, though without physical violence. There are things worth fighting for, adventures worth pursuing, heroic ways to live, great, as opposed to small ambitions worth embracing.
He also proposes a number of qualities less-often associated with stereotypes of manhood, such as devout, honest, healthy, emotional, wise, simple, and servant-hearted. One that I thought was surprising was “healthy.” Between the extremes of “ripped” and “couch potato” he addresses the need for men to responsibly care for their bodies and the connection between our physical and spiritual lives. In the chapter on emotional life, he addresses male stoicism, the myth that men don’t cry and the permission to express our emotions.
He leads us through his own journey of growth in each of these qualities. He movingly shares his own headstrong character in high school, and the story of the college man who hosted him and his friends in weekly discussions, and one night washed their feet. He’s vulnerable about his struggles and failures–his struggles with weight, the break up of a marriage, struggles with porn and alcohol, with mental illness and suicidal thoughts. His honesty (one of the qualities of good men) offers hope that as messed up as we may be, God can work with us, and form us into good men.
Each chapter ends with a few reflection questions and a prayer, and I thought that the prayers alone were worth the price of admission. This is a good book for a group of men serious about following Christ might read with each other. And if one is serious about this “good man” stuff, you could read it with a wife or girlfriend, someone who sees a different side of you than your male friends.
This is a man calling out other men to live this way, calling them out of toxic forms of masculinity to what David Brooks calls the “eulogy virtues,” the things you would want others to say about you at your funeral. It’s worth considering because all of the “real man” stuff fades. It is the goodness that endures not only in the minds of people but into eternity in Christ-formed lives. Clarkson’s honest account points us all toward that journey of growth.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This is a hard time to be a man. There are all the stereotypes of what a “real” man is. There is also a widespread rejection of these stereotypes. The author goes a different way in this book. He explores what the character of a “good” man is, defining masculinity in terms of Christian character rather than external characteristics, roles, or stereotypes.
The author completes the sentence “Good men are…” with fifteen different qualities. Some sound like traditional stereotypic masculine traits like adventurous, heroic, ambitious, and fighting, but with each of these, the author thinks redemptively. For example, he would encourage fighting for the good and the just, though without physical violence. There are things worth fighting for, adventures worth pursuing, heroic ways to live, great, as opposed to small ambitions worth embracing.
He also proposes a number of qualities less-often associated with stereotypes of manhood, such as devout, honest, healthy, emotional, wise, simple, and servant-hearted. One that I thought was surprising was “healthy.” Between the extremes of “ripped” and “couch potato” he addresses the need for men to responsibly care for their bodies and the connection between our physical and spiritual lives. In the chapter on emotional life, he addresses male stoicism, the myth that men don’t cry and the permission to express our emotions.
He leads us through his own journey of growth in each of these qualities. He movingly shares his own headstrong character in high school, and the story of the college man who hosted him and his friends in weekly discussions, and one night washed their feet. He’s vulnerable about his struggles and failures–his struggles with weight, the break up of a marriage, struggles with porn and alcohol, with mental illness and suicidal thoughts. His honesty (one of the qualities of good men) offers hope that as messed up as we may be, God can work with us, and form us into good men.
Each chapter ends with a few reflection questions and a prayer, and I thought that the prayers alone were worth the price of admission. This is a good book for a group of men serious about following Christ might read with each other. And if one is serious about this “good man” stuff, you could read it with a wife or girlfriend, someone who sees a different side of you than your male friends.
This is a man calling out other men to live this way, calling them out of toxic forms of masculinity to what David Brooks calls the “eulogy virtues,” the things you would want others to say about you at your funeral. It’s worth considering because all of the “real man” stuff fades. It is the goodness that endures not only in the minds of people but into eternity in Christ-formed lives. Clarkson’s honest account points us all toward that journey of growth.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 26, 2020
My wife has a big fan of Sally Clarkson for years. She ordered this early and was excited for me to read it and share it with our boys. I wasn’t sure what to expect but thought it would be a bit more of a Bible study or a devotional. It isn’t. Nathan has a good biblical foundation, but the book is more about his journey to be a good man. I think it is a good book for young men to see a man who grew up going to church but has had honest, real struggles in this world and sees the value of being good. And I appreciate his definition of being good as being more than a rule follower. I will be talking about his character qualities and the meaning of good with the young men in my life.
July 27, 2020
3.5 Stars
In this bit of Christian nonfiction, actor and writer Nathan Clarkson presents the case that men are often more emotionally nuanced than today's media would have you believe. Across movies, music, social media platforms, even novels and news, men are often portrayed as "angry, predatory, violent, selfish, and bored". In this book, Clarkson wants attention brought to the men out there who actually wish to seek out and live honest, simple, faith-based lives full of integrity, empathy, and kindness.
Clarkson starts by saying that we all have certain images (maybe biases, even) of what defines "a real man" in our mind. These images we carry could be influenced by movies we've loved, books we've read, maybe even someone we've known personally that left a great impression on us. Think about that. All these men out in the world wanting to, expected to, live up to a certain ideal of manhood, yet everyone carries a slightly different definition of what that is exactly... you can see where a man could run into some problems with that. Clarkson wanted to know --- Is there a general blueprint one might be able to refer to to better guide his life towards being the best man he could be? Our author set himself to developing one.
Researching not only admirable men in his own life but also characters from books, film, historical figures, and even men of the Bible, Clarkson eventually broke it all down into fifteen general attributes that seemed universal across all these sources. He reminds readers that while referring to this list to guide them, they "don't have to be perfect, just willing."
Here's the gist of the list:
1. Adventurous -- that desire to have a life of meaning, of greatness, and to be a seeker of truth, wherever that takes you
2. Devout -- still the mind & heart, connect with spiritual center
3. Heroic -- living a life of virtue, wanting to fight for justice for the underdog in a world that tends to be more attracted to the villain or antihero
4. Honest -- facing and addressing addictions, weakpoints in your character
5. Brotherly -- beneficial effects of developing some sort of brotherhood / support group of men, people who can relate to your journey and/or struggles
6. Healthy -- being more honest with yourself about just how much physical, mental, and spiritual health are interconnected, working to better honor that for an overall healthier you
7. Emotional -- the importance of men embracing "a good cry"
8. Authentic -- dropping social veneers that you're "just fine", accepting/being kinder to the more broken bits of yourself
9. Romantic -- religious communities often oversell "sex = sin", causing many to develop shame around one of the more beautiful experiences of life, while mainstream media tends to go the other way with messages of "No rules! Do what you want! YOLO!" Men instead should seek out the happy medium, enjoy the process of actually getting to know a partner on multiple levels prior to partaking in physical fun times. (I will say though, Clarkson also argues for abstinence before marriage, while I personally lean more toward abstinence before LOVE... not everyone necessarily wants marriage these days... just sayin'.)
10. Wise -- Men who readily embrace a life of intelligence, introspection, and empathy often tend to be mocked by society, but these men should shirk off any sense of shame and be proud of their desire to be curious aobut the world. As Clarkson puts it, "Wisdom is the conduit for living a healthy life." It is also in this chapter that the author shares stories of his lifelong struggle with ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia, yet still makes a point to carve out time to seek out and consume the knowledge he craves.
11. Ambitious -- cultivating your own unique gifts/talents to craft a truly satisfying life full of joy, purpose, and a generous, loving spirit; in this chapter Clarkson encourages readers to become men of action and firm decision makers
12. Fighter -- many men have a warrior sense within them, a desire to fight, to battle injustice, etc but society says that instinct is bad and men should repress; rather than being kept tamped down, that energy should be redirected into healthy, useful ways that will scratch that "fighter" itch
13. Simple -- Clarkson writes, "We live in a world that celebrates the highlights reel." Instead, focus should be on simplifying, streamlining overall life to better develop a sense of calm, free of the noise of needing to impress anyone; appreciate the greatness that can be found in doing general day-to-day actions well
14. Servant's Heart -- rather than letting pride/ego consume you, develop a humble character that is fed by selflessly helping others, making it a daily choice to live this way; don't shy away from "the fractured places of the world," as Clarkson puts it.
15. Committed -- strengthening your long game in a world of instant gratification (ie. diet pills, fast food, mood enhancers, easy hookups lacking romance); be willing to put in the work on things and find that inner drive of stubborn perseverance *Remember the old maxims "Slow and steady wins the race", "Anything worthwhile takes time", etc... and that an "overnight success" actually rarely ever is.
Each chapter closes with "Questions for Reflection" and a prayer for strengthening the particular aspect of a man's character discussed within that chapter. In this way, it's already perfectly structured for bible study groups or personal growth devotional time. At times, Clarkson does come off as trying a little too hard to be the "I'm just different" guy (like the line "Nerd territory -- I love videogames." Well, you and a massive chunk of the male population in general, I'd say, so that one kinda slips out of "nerd territory" for me... but moving on..) and if you like your Christian reading to be on preach-lite, well he does get a little heavier-handed with the pulpit talk towards the end of the book. But overall I'd say Clarkson's book here starts up a really important conversation in a refreshing, easily readable way. And he does have a way with metaphors! My personal favorite, "Until we admit we are wounded and broken, the doctor cannot begin his work."
Before closing this out, I thought I'd tack on this final thought as a female reader approaching this work. I actually went into this thinking it'd give me better perspective into my husband's mind. But ya know, there's plenty here that works across genders for making better people all around. Not to take anything away from the men. This book is the start of sorely needed representation for the good guys of the world. I'm just saying there are also takeaways for curious female readers as well.
FTC Disclaimer: Baker Books kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
In this bit of Christian nonfiction, actor and writer Nathan Clarkson presents the case that men are often more emotionally nuanced than today's media would have you believe. Across movies, music, social media platforms, even novels and news, men are often portrayed as "angry, predatory, violent, selfish, and bored". In this book, Clarkson wants attention brought to the men out there who actually wish to seek out and live honest, simple, faith-based lives full of integrity, empathy, and kindness.
Clarkson starts by saying that we all have certain images (maybe biases, even) of what defines "a real man" in our mind. These images we carry could be influenced by movies we've loved, books we've read, maybe even someone we've known personally that left a great impression on us. Think about that. All these men out in the world wanting to, expected to, live up to a certain ideal of manhood, yet everyone carries a slightly different definition of what that is exactly... you can see where a man could run into some problems with that. Clarkson wanted to know --- Is there a general blueprint one might be able to refer to to better guide his life towards being the best man he could be? Our author set himself to developing one.
Researching not only admirable men in his own life but also characters from books, film, historical figures, and even men of the Bible, Clarkson eventually broke it all down into fifteen general attributes that seemed universal across all these sources. He reminds readers that while referring to this list to guide them, they "don't have to be perfect, just willing."
Here's the gist of the list:
1. Adventurous -- that desire to have a life of meaning, of greatness, and to be a seeker of truth, wherever that takes you
2. Devout -- still the mind & heart, connect with spiritual center
3. Heroic -- living a life of virtue, wanting to fight for justice for the underdog in a world that tends to be more attracted to the villain or antihero
4. Honest -- facing and addressing addictions, weakpoints in your character
5. Brotherly -- beneficial effects of developing some sort of brotherhood / support group of men, people who can relate to your journey and/or struggles
6. Healthy -- being more honest with yourself about just how much physical, mental, and spiritual health are interconnected, working to better honor that for an overall healthier you
7. Emotional -- the importance of men embracing "a good cry"
8. Authentic -- dropping social veneers that you're "just fine", accepting/being kinder to the more broken bits of yourself
9. Romantic -- religious communities often oversell "sex = sin", causing many to develop shame around one of the more beautiful experiences of life, while mainstream media tends to go the other way with messages of "No rules! Do what you want! YOLO!" Men instead should seek out the happy medium, enjoy the process of actually getting to know a partner on multiple levels prior to partaking in physical fun times. (I will say though, Clarkson also argues for abstinence before marriage, while I personally lean more toward abstinence before LOVE... not everyone necessarily wants marriage these days... just sayin'.)
10. Wise -- Men who readily embrace a life of intelligence, introspection, and empathy often tend to be mocked by society, but these men should shirk off any sense of shame and be proud of their desire to be curious aobut the world. As Clarkson puts it, "Wisdom is the conduit for living a healthy life." It is also in this chapter that the author shares stories of his lifelong struggle with ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia, yet still makes a point to carve out time to seek out and consume the knowledge he craves.
11. Ambitious -- cultivating your own unique gifts/talents to craft a truly satisfying life full of joy, purpose, and a generous, loving spirit; in this chapter Clarkson encourages readers to become men of action and firm decision makers
12. Fighter -- many men have a warrior sense within them, a desire to fight, to battle injustice, etc but society says that instinct is bad and men should repress; rather than being kept tamped down, that energy should be redirected into healthy, useful ways that will scratch that "fighter" itch
13. Simple -- Clarkson writes, "We live in a world that celebrates the highlights reel." Instead, focus should be on simplifying, streamlining overall life to better develop a sense of calm, free of the noise of needing to impress anyone; appreciate the greatness that can be found in doing general day-to-day actions well
14. Servant's Heart -- rather than letting pride/ego consume you, develop a humble character that is fed by selflessly helping others, making it a daily choice to live this way; don't shy away from "the fractured places of the world," as Clarkson puts it.
15. Committed -- strengthening your long game in a world of instant gratification (ie. diet pills, fast food, mood enhancers, easy hookups lacking romance); be willing to put in the work on things and find that inner drive of stubborn perseverance *Remember the old maxims "Slow and steady wins the race", "Anything worthwhile takes time", etc... and that an "overnight success" actually rarely ever is.
Each chapter closes with "Questions for Reflection" and a prayer for strengthening the particular aspect of a man's character discussed within that chapter. In this way, it's already perfectly structured for bible study groups or personal growth devotional time. At times, Clarkson does come off as trying a little too hard to be the "I'm just different" guy (like the line "Nerd territory -- I love videogames." Well, you and a massive chunk of the male population in general, I'd say, so that one kinda slips out of "nerd territory" for me... but moving on..) and if you like your Christian reading to be on preach-lite, well he does get a little heavier-handed with the pulpit talk towards the end of the book. But overall I'd say Clarkson's book here starts up a really important conversation in a refreshing, easily readable way. And he does have a way with metaphors! My personal favorite, "Until we admit we are wounded and broken, the doctor cannot begin his work."
Before closing this out, I thought I'd tack on this final thought as a female reader approaching this work. I actually went into this thinking it'd give me better perspective into my husband's mind. But ya know, there's plenty here that works across genders for making better people all around. Not to take anything away from the men. This book is the start of sorely needed representation for the good guys of the world. I'm just saying there are also takeaways for curious female readers as well.
FTC Disclaimer: Baker Books kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
June 13, 2020
I'm a mom of a 15 yr old boy. One who thinks outside of the box, has a sense of humor, loves super heroes and star wars, and struggles with real life issues. I've also followed Sally Clarkson for a while, and I appreciate her parenting insight, her love for Jesus, and her authenticity. So, hearing about this book her son Nathan wrote, made me want to get it for my son.The fact that my son is interested in movie making and acting also contributed to my draw to this book. Why? Because Nathan is an actor, screenwriter, author, a young man whose seen a lot of the world. But first, I wanted to read it to make sure it lined up with my Biblical beliefs and values.
Personally, I found this book to be uplifting and encouraging. I also found it very readable and feel like my son will enjoy it. Nathan shares his story, and my son loves stories. I found many areas I think he will be able to relate to Nathan and I am in hopes that it will help him see that life is full of ups and downs, success and failures, but the key is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and desire to be like him. I won't say Nathan's selection of character qualities are specifically outlined in the Bible. However, I would say they are qualities that would be beneficial in a good man. For example, I'm not sure you'll find a specific verse in the Bible on God requiring a man to be adventurous, heroic, or romantic, but you will find adventurous, heroic, and romantic men in the Bible. However, you will find God calling men to be wise, servant-hearted, honest and committed. I think there's a pretty good balance between some of the personal character qualities Nathan has chosen and ones he has found directly in Scripture.
There are some more mature themes in this book, as Nathan tells about some of his personal struggles, as well as, things he has witnessed other men struggling with, so I would definitely recommend some age appropriate guidance. I do feel that this book would be a help and encouragement to many young men in today's generation who, as my son, love authentic stories, desire to be heroes, love God, but also feel the pull of the world and all it has to offer. Life is hard, failures happen, no one is perfect, yet Nathan offers a thread of hope to those who maybe feel like they just can't live up to God's holiness or the expectations of those around them, by encouraging them to follow the footsteps of Jesus and be all they were created to be!
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publisher. I was not asked or required to review this book positively. All opinions are my own.
Personally, I found this book to be uplifting and encouraging. I also found it very readable and feel like my son will enjoy it. Nathan shares his story, and my son loves stories. I found many areas I think he will be able to relate to Nathan and I am in hopes that it will help him see that life is full of ups and downs, success and failures, but the key is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and desire to be like him. I won't say Nathan's selection of character qualities are specifically outlined in the Bible. However, I would say they are qualities that would be beneficial in a good man. For example, I'm not sure you'll find a specific verse in the Bible on God requiring a man to be adventurous, heroic, or romantic, but you will find adventurous, heroic, and romantic men in the Bible. However, you will find God calling men to be wise, servant-hearted, honest and committed. I think there's a pretty good balance between some of the personal character qualities Nathan has chosen and ones he has found directly in Scripture.
There are some more mature themes in this book, as Nathan tells about some of his personal struggles, as well as, things he has witnessed other men struggling with, so I would definitely recommend some age appropriate guidance. I do feel that this book would be a help and encouragement to many young men in today's generation who, as my son, love authentic stories, desire to be heroes, love God, but also feel the pull of the world and all it has to offer. Life is hard, failures happen, no one is perfect, yet Nathan offers a thread of hope to those who maybe feel like they just can't live up to God's holiness or the expectations of those around them, by encouraging them to follow the footsteps of Jesus and be all they were created to be!
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publisher. I was not asked or required to review this book positively. All opinions are my own.
July 1, 2020
Book Review: Good Man by Nathan Clarkson
Overall I thought this book was a good enough book, but also not my favorite. I think anytime you tackle a topic as big as “An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be,” or women for that matter, you’ve assigned yourself a tall task. I’ve never been able to pick up a book about becoming a godly man and walk away fully satisfied with the content. The chapters cover some great topics, some you’d expect and some you may not. I enjoyed the chapter “Simple” especially. We often want our story to be bigger than it is, but he does a good job drawing attention to the God ordained story unfolding in front of us in the midst of daily life.
I had two complaints, neither of which was major. First, I wasn’t in love with the, at times, self-loathing tone of the book. Nathan is open talking about his past (and present) dealing with self-worth and comparison, but it continues to be a reoccurrence throughout the book. I appreciated the openness and vulnerability, but just felt it was repeated a little too often. In fairness, it seems to be a common theme recently in Christian writing; pick a theme or characteristic from your life, explain the journey, apply some biblical principles, and, wah-lah, you’ve got a book. My other complaint with the book is just a lack of overall depth. I thought every topic he talked about was pretty much spot-on, but always felt myself wishing he had dove a little deeper into a biblical cross-reference or perspective.
All things considered I would probably give this book a 3 out of 5 star rating. I have some students I would definitely recommend this book to, and I think it offers a perspective that many millennial/gen-z Christian men would relate too. I think for some who consider themselves “manly-men” this may miss the mark. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing, it just means the audience for this book may be a bit limited. That audience will probably really enjoy it and draw a lot from it though.
Overall I thought this book was a good enough book, but also not my favorite. I think anytime you tackle a topic as big as “An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be,” or women for that matter, you’ve assigned yourself a tall task. I’ve never been able to pick up a book about becoming a godly man and walk away fully satisfied with the content. The chapters cover some great topics, some you’d expect and some you may not. I enjoyed the chapter “Simple” especially. We often want our story to be bigger than it is, but he does a good job drawing attention to the God ordained story unfolding in front of us in the midst of daily life.
I had two complaints, neither of which was major. First, I wasn’t in love with the, at times, self-loathing tone of the book. Nathan is open talking about his past (and present) dealing with self-worth and comparison, but it continues to be a reoccurrence throughout the book. I appreciated the openness and vulnerability, but just felt it was repeated a little too often. In fairness, it seems to be a common theme recently in Christian writing; pick a theme or characteristic from your life, explain the journey, apply some biblical principles, and, wah-lah, you’ve got a book. My other complaint with the book is just a lack of overall depth. I thought every topic he talked about was pretty much spot-on, but always felt myself wishing he had dove a little deeper into a biblical cross-reference or perspective.
All things considered I would probably give this book a 3 out of 5 star rating. I have some students I would definitely recommend this book to, and I think it offers a perspective that many millennial/gen-z Christian men would relate too. I think for some who consider themselves “manly-men” this may miss the mark. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing, it just means the audience for this book may be a bit limited. That audience will probably really enjoy it and draw a lot from it though.
June 28, 2020
There’s really only ever been one ‘good man’, and even He said that no one but the Father is good. Yet men still want to be considered ‘good’ and most women and some men are looking for a good man, or think that they have found one.
Of course, everybody seems to have their own idea of what ‘good’ looks like, so it’s pretty hard to define, but Nathan Clarkson has set out to give us a roadmap. The map is found in his recent book Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be (Baker Books, 2020)
The map takes us on the journey from who Nathan was or is to who he wants to one day be; along the way are 15 stops. Places with strange names like Adventurous, Devout, Heroic, Honest, Brotherly, Healthy, Emotional, Authentic, Romantic, Wise, Ambitious, Fighting, Simple, Servant-Hearted, and Committed.
I’m not sure that I agree with all of Nathan’s conclusions, and I may have come up with a different list, but this seems to come from his heart. The lessons, failures, successes, heartbreaks and joys that he shares make for an intense read, or perhaps a painful one depending on how closely his experiences mirror yours.
Whether you agree with his list or not, this book should give anyone looking for a good man some things consider while on that quest. And as far as being a book that guys should read, well, I think we all have some room for improvement. Why not learn from those who have gone before?
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
4/5
Of course, everybody seems to have their own idea of what ‘good’ looks like, so it’s pretty hard to define, but Nathan Clarkson has set out to give us a roadmap. The map is found in his recent book Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be (Baker Books, 2020)
The map takes us on the journey from who Nathan was or is to who he wants to one day be; along the way are 15 stops. Places with strange names like Adventurous, Devout, Heroic, Honest, Brotherly, Healthy, Emotional, Authentic, Romantic, Wise, Ambitious, Fighting, Simple, Servant-Hearted, and Committed.
I’m not sure that I agree with all of Nathan’s conclusions, and I may have come up with a different list, but this seems to come from his heart. The lessons, failures, successes, heartbreaks and joys that he shares make for an intense read, or perhaps a painful one depending on how closely his experiences mirror yours.
Whether you agree with his list or not, this book should give anyone looking for a good man some things consider while on that quest. And as far as being a book that guys should read, well, I think we all have some room for improvement. Why not learn from those who have gone before?
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
4/5
June 29, 2020
Fairly good book, but sorely lacks spiritual depth
In his new book, “Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be,” Nathan Clarkson brings a unique perspective on manhood – especially in an media culture where men are portrayed as childish, imbecilic buffoons who constantly let their wives bully them and children disrespect them (i.e., Ray Barone of Everybody Loves Raymond).
Published by Baker Books, Clarkson’s 192-page book covers what he views are 15 characteristics of what a good man is.
However, what he didn’t specifically address was a good man loves the Scriptures, and is a lifelong Bible student. A good man also has to be more than devout – he has to be a man of prayer. He also doesn’t have to be a macho, outdoorsy, adventurous type to be a good man (like he claims in Chapter 1).
Overall, while I appreciate Clarkson’s insight, I don’t believe a 30-something has enough experience in life to really know what constitutes a good man. Thirty-somethings are still young – and hopefully growing, maturing and developing spiritually.
While his book is fairly good (and I like that he includes a “Questions for Reflection” section after each chapter), it sorely lacks the spiritual depth it needed to be a great book.
I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received an advanced copy of this book free through the Baker Books Bloggers Program. My opinions are my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.
© 2020 by Doug S., M.A.
In his new book, “Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be,” Nathan Clarkson brings a unique perspective on manhood – especially in an media culture where men are portrayed as childish, imbecilic buffoons who constantly let their wives bully them and children disrespect them (i.e., Ray Barone of Everybody Loves Raymond).
Published by Baker Books, Clarkson’s 192-page book covers what he views are 15 characteristics of what a good man is.
However, what he didn’t specifically address was a good man loves the Scriptures, and is a lifelong Bible student. A good man also has to be more than devout – he has to be a man of prayer. He also doesn’t have to be a macho, outdoorsy, adventurous type to be a good man (like he claims in Chapter 1).
Overall, while I appreciate Clarkson’s insight, I don’t believe a 30-something has enough experience in life to really know what constitutes a good man. Thirty-somethings are still young – and hopefully growing, maturing and developing spiritually.
While his book is fairly good (and I like that he includes a “Questions for Reflection” section after each chapter), it sorely lacks the spiritual depth it needed to be a great book.
I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received an advanced copy of this book free through the Baker Books Bloggers Program. My opinions are my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.
© 2020 by Doug S., M.A.
July 3, 2020
Drawing from his life experiences, his struggles with OCD and ADD, Nathan shares what shaped him, what he believes in, and the attributes and characteristics that grow a good man. He digs into each of these with consideration and clarity. With wisdom and reflection.
This book to be written in a relatable and vulnerable style laced tightly together with encouragement, spiritual admonition, and good words. Each chapter finishes up with reflection questions. They could be used for discussion questions if you had a group book study or club. Each chapter also has a prayer page penned for it. I appreciated the simple weightiness and thoughtfulness of the prayers.
A quotation from the book ~ “I’m so thankful that the definition of what a good man is, spoken from the Creator Himself, doesn’t rely on me being perfect – just willing.” ~ Nathan Clarkson
This book to be written in a relatable and vulnerable style laced tightly together with encouragement, spiritual admonition, and good words. Each chapter finishes up with reflection questions. They could be used for discussion questions if you had a group book study or club. Each chapter also has a prayer page penned for it. I appreciated the simple weightiness and thoughtfulness of the prayers.
A quotation from the book ~ “I’m so thankful that the definition of what a good man is, spoken from the Creator Himself, doesn’t rely on me being perfect – just willing.” ~ Nathan Clarkson
Currently reading
December 4, 2020Every page reminds me of my son. I wonder how he will be. This year I also read Sally's new book Awaken (wonderful) and I should say I can now understand how it is that this man has this kind of words inside. It is a very enjoyable book. I recommend to gift this to your teen or young man, highschooler or university young man will enjoy this content. It is well organized and clear. Nathan opens up and shows himself vulnerable, that is something to be thankful. Moms are always asking me for resources for men, well this is one. I'm glad He wants to find his identity in Christ and not in other shiny things about the culture.
September 13, 2025
3.5 stars.
This book took me like three years to finish. I started it with a friend, but then he got a job so we couldn’t meet up to talk abt it, so I stopped. When he moved away over a year later, we started it over. This summer, we stopped reading it, and he lost his copy before we could resume. So, I just finished it myself lol.
This book is good, but simple. It gives a lot of good principles, but stays fairly surface level. Definitely full of truth, and uses good analogies and stories, but I think it’s a little too basic.
This book took me like three years to finish. I started it with a friend, but then he got a job so we couldn’t meet up to talk abt it, so I stopped. When he moved away over a year later, we started it over. This summer, we stopped reading it, and he lost his copy before we could resume. So, I just finished it myself lol.
This book is good, but simple. It gives a lot of good principles, but stays fairly surface level. Definitely full of truth, and uses good analogies and stories, but I think it’s a little too basic.
March 3, 2021
A gift from my wife for Valentine’s Day which has served me well for the past 2 weeks as a devotional and insight into all we are as men and how we can learn, live and grow to reach our potential as followers of Jesus.
I would recommend this to anyone in their 20s / 30s feeling a little lost or maybe disconnected from their community or unsure what masculinity looks like in 2021.
In fact, if you’re reading this and you’re a pal let me lend you my copy!
May 12, 2020
I loved this book. I appreciated the stories from the author's life which illustrate the character traits he explores. As the mom of 5 boys/men, I appreciated that Good Man did not set up men with false expectations of perfection, but rather encourages them to pursue being a Good Man while taking into account that none of us is perfect, and we will all stumble and fall...to keep going anyway.
September 25, 2020
Great devotional book for young men!
June 27, 2024
Jacob read y12 rated 4 stars...krb 6/27/24
December 12, 2020
"Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be" by Nathan Clarkson, is a symptom of the state of Christianity in America. The most generous description I can provide of this book is "vacuous." While the author attempts to "be real" and "let it all hang out," there is little of substance or insight in this book.
What a man needs is the Word of God and other godly men to play a role in his life. What a man needs is a commitment to holiness, even as God is holy. There is little better than crumbs in this book toward those ends. Instead, what is here is self-centered, self-absorbed, Therapeutic Deism. Such a philosophy has not served the church well and neither will this book.
Want to be a man? Read the book of Daniel and try to be like him. Read the book of Nehemiah and try to be like him. Or, read the Gospels and try to be like Jesus. But don't write self-absorbed, barely censored pablum and expect that it is what the church needs. This book is a symptom and the answers to the sickness of modern Christian men will not be found here.
What a man needs is the Word of God and other godly men to play a role in his life. What a man needs is a commitment to holiness, even as God is holy. There is little better than crumbs in this book toward those ends. Instead, what is here is self-centered, self-absorbed, Therapeutic Deism. Such a philosophy has not served the church well and neither will this book.
Want to be a man? Read the book of Daniel and try to be like him. Read the book of Nehemiah and try to be like him. Or, read the Gospels and try to be like Jesus. But don't write self-absorbed, barely censored pablum and expect that it is what the church needs. This book is a symptom and the answers to the sickness of modern Christian men will not be found here.
June 13, 2020
This book had a lot of quality writing and compelling to read more than the word you can imaging of and also had of all the most top answer that some time was you are keeping ask yourself that, Why do I still having a life in this word, What is meaning to still keep have the life of going and How can I find my the right direction. It would not be easy but it will be worth it to be a good man for people around you and yourself. I highly recommend to everyone must read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Baker Books Bloggers for this review”.
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