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Maximized Manhood: A Guide to Family Survival
Pornography. Adultery. Television addiction. Immaturity. Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, known as "the father of the Christian men's movement," was not afraid to tackle the tough topics that affect men today. His straightforward, biblical insights help men and women alike to realize their full potential in Christ. Putting the principles found in Maximized Manhood into practice will revolutionize your home and transform your life into what God designed it to be. This newly revised edition of a best–selling book for men just got better!
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1982
79 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 6, 2010
A ton of prayer will never produce what an ounce of obedience will. After all of the praying, if you don’t obey, you nullify all of the praying. Belief plus action equals faith. - Edward Louis Cole
Maximized Manhood is a relatively quick read that strikes at the heart of what it is to be a real man living in the promise and provision of God. Dr Cole shares his revelation concerning how the Children of Israel were denied entry into Cannon as a result of 5 unrepentant sins. These were Lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ and murmuring which Cole goes on to unpack and describe. Cole feels that these same sins are preventing men today from reaching their full potential or as he as termed it, ‘Maximized Manhood’.
Dr Cole asks men to confront the sin in their lives and confess it to God with a changed heart and changed attitude. Often the temptation is to nullify the Holy Spirit’s power to transform our lives by refusing to be convicted and instead reclassify sin as mistakes, mishaps, slipups or weaknesses.
Cole basically says it’s time to ‘man up’ and take responsibility. As men we are called to be the head of the household, but in many cases we have abdicated our duty by either fleeing the family unit or staying there but in an ineffectual manner.
This book was published in 1982, 27 years ago, the year I was born; yet is it’s message is just as relevant as it was back then. It was recommended from the platform of a men’s conference I attended as the book that turned the speaker’s life around and saved his struggling marriage. He had already reached the divorce courts when he found it.
With over a million copies in print I’m sure this is the testimony of many men. It is the first Edward Cole book that I’ve read, but it wont be the last as I’ve just ordered two more on the strength of it.
So, what’s the fuss about? Why should you read this book? For me personally, the chapter that that challenged me the most was Chapter 7 – ‘Is there a priest in the house?’ As Christian men, we are called to be prophets, priests and kings to our families. They way my daughters see me, will greatly influence their view of God. That’s a scary thought!?!
This was a wake up call for me that I need to be more authoritative than authoritarian.
Maximized Manhood is a relatively quick read that strikes at the heart of what it is to be a real man living in the promise and provision of God. Dr Cole shares his revelation concerning how the Children of Israel were denied entry into Cannon as a result of 5 unrepentant sins. These were Lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ and murmuring which Cole goes on to unpack and describe. Cole feels that these same sins are preventing men today from reaching their full potential or as he as termed it, ‘Maximized Manhood’.
Dr Cole asks men to confront the sin in their lives and confess it to God with a changed heart and changed attitude. Often the temptation is to nullify the Holy Spirit’s power to transform our lives by refusing to be convicted and instead reclassify sin as mistakes, mishaps, slipups or weaknesses.
Cole basically says it’s time to ‘man up’ and take responsibility. As men we are called to be the head of the household, but in many cases we have abdicated our duty by either fleeing the family unit or staying there but in an ineffectual manner.
This book was published in 1982, 27 years ago, the year I was born; yet is it’s message is just as relevant as it was back then. It was recommended from the platform of a men’s conference I attended as the book that turned the speaker’s life around and saved his struggling marriage. He had already reached the divorce courts when he found it.
With over a million copies in print I’m sure this is the testimony of many men. It is the first Edward Cole book that I’ve read, but it wont be the last as I’ve just ordered two more on the strength of it.
So, what’s the fuss about? Why should you read this book? For me personally, the chapter that that challenged me the most was Chapter 7 – ‘Is there a priest in the house?’ As Christian men, we are called to be prophets, priests and kings to our families. They way my daughters see me, will greatly influence their view of God. That’s a scary thought!?!
This was a wake up call for me that I need to be more authoritative than authoritarian.
September 12, 2013
The finest book on being a real man ever written. This will change lives, marriages and families. This is the book that will change our nation, because it will change the men of the nation!
March 7, 2014
This is essential reading for all men, fathers, husbands, sons. It is filled with golden nuggets and is a book that you can read and re read. I first read it many years ago and have just read it again. I had the privilege of hearing Dr Ed Cole speak live in Johannesburg and it is wonderful that his great legacy lives on through his books.
If you are a man that feels that you haven't reached the pinnacle of all that God has for you, the first chapter will grip you as Dr Cole identifies the five things that stop men from reaching the Promised Land. It's high time we get these five things out of our lives so that we can live in victory, be better fathers, husbands, brothers and sons....
Dr Cole inspires men to be men, his golden nuggets are deeply rooted in my mind. I highly recommend this life-changing book.
If you are a man that feels that you haven't reached the pinnacle of all that God has for you, the first chapter will grip you as Dr Cole identifies the five things that stop men from reaching the Promised Land. It's high time we get these five things out of our lives so that we can live in victory, be better fathers, husbands, brothers and sons....
Dr Cole inspires men to be men, his golden nuggets are deeply rooted in my mind. I highly recommend this life-changing book.
May 17, 2025
Great read! Every man should read this!
August 30, 2020
The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile.
by PLATO
Өөрийгөө байлдан дагуулах нь эр хүний хамгийн том эзлэлт. "...Сүнсээ захирдаг хүн хотыг эзлэгчээс ч дээр. Сургаалт үгс 16:32
Жинхэнэ эр хүн Христтэй адил байдаг.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like MEN, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
by PLATO
Өөрийгөө байлдан дагуулах нь эр хүний хамгийн том эзлэлт. "...Сүнсээ захирдаг хүн хотыг эзлэгчээс ч дээр. Сургаалт үгс 16:32
Жинхэнэ эр хүн Христтэй адил байдаг.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like MEN, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
February 16, 2017
I was cleaning out my house when this book, and it was extremely hard to read this book without laughing. Of course, the Christian world has their idea how a man should act and dress but this guy has taken it to the next level.
This book has everything you would expect from a traditional Christian book, several obvious grammatical and spelling mistakes, anger over trivial things, and using the word "I" like a teenager. There were times that it felt like he was trying to convince me (and maybe himself) that he has some significants in this world, especially in the beginning and ending of chapters. In the middle of his chapters, he preaches about a vague explanation of how the world should look like under the laws of the Bible, but even a theist like me gets pretty lost in his analogies.
Overall, if you are a conservative Christian, you would like this book. But outside of this, this book is pretty terrible. However, I did think of one good use for this book. Having a book club and using this book as a shining example of why young people are leaving the church in droves.
This book has everything you would expect from a traditional Christian book, several obvious grammatical and spelling mistakes, anger over trivial things, and using the word "I" like a teenager. There were times that it felt like he was trying to convince me (and maybe himself) that he has some significants in this world, especially in the beginning and ending of chapters. In the middle of his chapters, he preaches about a vague explanation of how the world should look like under the laws of the Bible, but even a theist like me gets pretty lost in his analogies.
Overall, if you are a conservative Christian, you would like this book. But outside of this, this book is pretty terrible. However, I did think of one good use for this book. Having a book club and using this book as a shining example of why young people are leaving the church in droves.
August 8, 2021
Second Ed Cole book that I had on the shelf, as I go through what I own, before buying more. (as if that is going to happen!)
Anyway this was a lot better that the other book, but still focussed too much on the external on what you have to do to be Christian rather than what he has done.
I would not say it is a total works based book, but grace lies pretty thin on the ground, and there seems to be a lot of retribution he failed because he did or didn't fo this thing.
If that was the case we would all fail because we are all in sin.
There is some good points in the book, but I don't know if it is overall that helpful.
If you are looking for an author for men I would look elsewhere.
Anyway this was a lot better that the other book, but still focussed too much on the external on what you have to do to be Christian rather than what he has done.
I would not say it is a total works based book, but grace lies pretty thin on the ground, and there seems to be a lot of retribution he failed because he did or didn't fo this thing.
If that was the case we would all fail because we are all in sin.
There is some good points in the book, but I don't know if it is overall that helpful.
If you are looking for an author for men I would look elsewhere.
February 5, 2019
Nowadays this is pretty standard Christian Manhood stuff... but this was foundational teaching towards the Promise Keepers and alike movement. Some of it seems cliched now, and other parts almost simplistically naive, but I still got something from this and was challenged in parts. The core remains important - Christian men need to be real Christians and to become Christlike is to be a real man.
September 24, 2022
Mi-au plăcut îndemnurile din fiecare capitol, dar am dat 3 stele fiindcă as fi vrut sa vad mai mult prezentata Evanghelia ca sursa de motivare, decât anumite texte forțate precum ca Canaanul reprezinta locul unde credinciosul își descoperă adevărata bărbăție. As fi vrut sa vorbeasca mai mult despre ce face Dumnezeu în viata noastră.
Read
January 28, 2024Not sure how to rate this one. Suffice it to say: that this was written in a different era will be clear to all, but I’m ok with that (sans the cringeworthy dinner “tip” story. I’m sure there are reviews with plenty to say on that) and the simple/straightforward tone in which this was written. There is wisdom to be gleaned from this book for sure.
October 7, 2024
This book is a must read for all men that are single or married. Dr. Cole is a man that listened to God about starting a mens ministry that makes men take their place as a man in Gods eyes. The priest, leader,father, of their home, loving their wife and children. And investing Godly principles in them!
January 13, 2023
Reading through this book I could tell it was a little dated. But a lot, if not all of it, is still relevant today. Some of the wording could use a little updating but still a good book to help support a Kingdom Man, Marriage, and Family.
October 7, 2017
The information in this book is sound and powerful.
November 4, 2019
Essential read for a godly man.
Getting the most out of relationships and holding yourself to a high standard
Getting the most out of relationships and holding yourself to a high standard
October 24, 2020
Starts out strong, got a little repetitive at the end.
February 17, 2021
"When a man is obedient to God, his manhood grows to his maximum potential."
November 17, 2022
3 stars [Christian Praxis]
(W: 2.81, U: 2.68, T: 2.9)
Exact rating: 2.80
(W: 2.81, U: 2.68, T: 2.9)
Exact rating: 2.80
October 7, 2023
КНИГА, через которую Иисус коснулся моего сердца❤️🔥
КНИГА, которую должен прочесть каждый мужчина❤️🔥
КНИГА, которую я, на протяжении жизни, ни раз ещё перечитаю❤️🔥
КНИГА, которую должен прочесть каждый мужчина❤️🔥
КНИГА, которую я, на протяжении жизни, ни раз ещё перечитаю❤️🔥
March 14, 2024
This is a great book for both men and women to read. Its a great book to give to male members of your families.
April 20, 2024
Recommended for every christian man. Very recommended for married christian men. Compulsory for christian men with families.
March 13, 2025
I felt chapters 8 & 9 hit home 🏠. If a man is not willing to change, everything stays the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
Primitive. Atrocious. To be avoided
Read
June 24, 2025ehm...
July 7, 2016
Overall: I think there is a lot to learn about being a man in this book. The book was easy to read and allowed me to digest the book pretty easily. It is written in a very straightforward manner in a style meant to grab a man's attention. It's not my favorite book on manhood, but it's definitely worth a read.
The Good:
-Human wisdom wants to cover up sin (think about politicians) and godly wisdom uncovers sin. Only through uncovering sin and confronting it openly and honestly can God help us conquer our sin (Chapters 3 & 4)
-A man's primary place of ministry is his own home. He must intentional minister to his family and lift them up with God's wisdom. (Chapters 7-8)
-A man is called to lead (guide, govern, & guard). This often requires us to change the way we interact with other people. We need to address our shortfalls honestly and work to set an example for our families and those around us. (Chapters 9-13)
-We need to take responsibility for our marriages and our role in our lives. To be a man is to follow Jesus' example without wavering. Deal with the hardships and press on. (Chapters 14-20)
The Bad:
-There were several obvious grammatical and spelling mistakes.
-The tone and presentation of his material can seem overly dictatorial. I found myself having to pause for a second and think about the overarching point he was making and going back to his mantra of . Then I could get past a point he was making that may have thought was too broad or could have used more explanation.
The Good:
-Human wisdom wants to cover up sin (think about politicians) and godly wisdom uncovers sin. Only through uncovering sin and confronting it openly and honestly can God help us conquer our sin (Chapters 3 & 4)
-A man's primary place of ministry is his own home. He must intentional minister to his family and lift them up with God's wisdom. (Chapters 7-8)
-A man is called to lead (guide, govern, & guard). This often requires us to change the way we interact with other people. We need to address our shortfalls honestly and work to set an example for our families and those around us. (Chapters 9-13)
-We need to take responsibility for our marriages and our role in our lives. To be a man is to follow Jesus' example without wavering. Deal with the hardships and press on. (Chapters 14-20)
The Bad:
-There were several obvious grammatical and spelling mistakes.
-The tone and presentation of his material can seem overly dictatorial. I found myself having to pause for a second and think about the overarching point he was making and going back to his mantra of . Then I could get past a point he was making that may have thought was too broad or could have used more explanation.
February 3, 2008
This book is (preferably) for men but good for women to read to help women finding out and understanding what are the important things to men, what are men's focus and what touches men. Edwin Louis Cole is one of a good Christian teachers. This book really talks to men straight to the point, to remind men what did God create them for, what is God wonderful purpose for men and what blessings He has promised them when they live according to the sample that Christ has given.
September 16, 2015
Pornography. Adultery. Television addiction. Immaturity. Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, known as "the father of the Christian men's movement," was not afraid to tackle the tough topics that affect men today. His straightforward, biblical insights help men and women alike to realize their full potential in Christ. Putting the principles found in Maximized Manhood into practice will revolutionize your home and transform your life into what God designed it to be.
Read
January 19, 2011It is a recommended book for all married man who wants to win his marriage.
It is Christian but it is also applicable to everybody.
I would highly recommend this book not only for one time reading, but also
as a reference as a guiding book to your marriage life.
Especially for all men, and fathers.
It is Christian but it is also applicable to everybody.
I would highly recommend this book not only for one time reading, but also
as a reference as a guiding book to your marriage life.
Especially for all men, and fathers.
December 18, 2008
Right up there with
Wild at Heart
, though a little more to-the-point. It's an easier read, though no less profound.
July 28, 2011
Trailer Club in a book. I recommend it to any male who loves the Lord. We need to step up and be the men God has called us to be. Where are the loyal husbands and loving fathers nowadays? Young men, let's kick it up a notch and live the life.
July 28, 2013
CHRISTLIKENESS AND MANHOOD ARE SYNONYMOUS
THIS is the BEST book on being a Christian man of God I have ever read.
Dr. Cole writes in a clear, sharp, and articulate manner that challenges every man to be the man of God they are called to be.
THIS is the BEST book on being a Christian man of God I have ever read.
Dr. Cole writes in a clear, sharp, and articulate manner that challenges every man to be the man of God they are called to be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews