Captain Robert Falcon Scott didn't start out life as a hero. In fact, as a boy and young man he was considered small, frail and shy. So what was it that turned this ordinary man into a legend? Through his gripping new account of how this modest naval officer became Scott of the Antarctic, Neil Oliver vividly relates the awe-inspiring tales that inspired Britain's greatest hero. And alongside these epics of courage, fortitude and sacrifice, Oliver tells the astonishing stories of those heroes who followed Scott and whose deeds stood comparison with this iconic explorer's own humbling example. From Rorke's Drift to the Battle of Britain and Nelson to Neil Armstrong, these are men who understood - as Scott always did - that it was more important to die a hero than live a coward's life.
Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
This breathless tribute to stiff upper lips initially comes off as grating—the phrase manly men is bandied about constantly and without a trace of humor. But regardless of Oliver’s storytelling quirks, the tales in his compendium of courage are powerful and, much like his vaunted heroes, win the day through brute force and sheer will. The fantastic (and the fantastically doomed) are all here—the stormers of Normandy, the defenders of the Alamo, the 300 warriors of Sparta—and Oliver relays each of their sagas with such old-fashioned brio that you can almost smell the cigars and brandy. The conceit, laid plain in the introduction, is that boys still desire to be straight of back and firm of handshake—and that exposure to these tales will squash the metrosexual right out of them. A questionable premise, perhaps, but it’s all very rousing, particularly the narrative of Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Scott that alternates with each chapter. Oliver’s intertwining of the tales somewhat lessens their value as short stories, though it does further adrenalize the epic throughline. --Daniel Kraus
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Review
"Sumptuously illustrated, beautifully told, and in turns both moving and inspiring, it is a joy from start to finish."--The Sunday Telegraph
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I never take the time to type out reviews but I was so hooked on Neil Oliver's "Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys" that I thought it my responsibility to let everyone know how AMAZING it truly is. I came to this book because it seemed similar to "The Dangerous Book for Boys," another personal fave. While TDBFB will always own a special place on my bookshelf, I actually thought "Amazing Tales" was a lot more entertaining...and gory! Each chapter is like its own comic book adventure, except all of these stories are true. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Siege of the Alamo had me on the edge of my seat. You will unquestionably feel like a manlier man after reading this book.
P.S. Check out the book's video trailer on Amazon if you get the chance. It's hilarious.
P.S. Check out the book's video trailer on Amazon if you get the chance. It's hilarious.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book thinking it would be written for younger boys, but it is probably more suited for the 12+ age bracket. I'm 46, familiar with most all of the stories from other academic pursuits, and I thououghly enjoyed the book.
It is well researched and written in an entertaining style. The reason I'm giving it a four instead of 5 is because there are a couple of places in the book where the author injects a politically correct view of history when laying background with respect to the stories of the Nez Perc and the Zulus. It was not 'over the top' and only slightly annoying.
I'd suggest it in hardcover as an addition to any well stocked library.
It is well researched and written in an entertaining style. The reason I'm giving it a four instead of 5 is because there are a couple of places in the book where the author injects a politically correct view of history when laying background with respect to the stories of the Nez Perc and the Zulus. It was not 'over the top' and only slightly annoying.
I'd suggest it in hardcover as an addition to any well stocked library.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What an interesting book!
I love how it provides heroes for our boys to look up to. Hero's that were ordinary men; who didn't even know they were heroes.
Amazing Tales For Making Men out of Boys by Neil Oliver is full of chapters of history, and amazing examples of people who have overcome trials. It was encouraging and delightful to read this book. I like that he uses real heros, and real places. It's the kind of book that boys can really get into! Oliver creates wonderful imagery and is a good storyteller. It has just what my son enjoys.. tales of war and rights, and astronauts to name a few. I think it is for probably 6-14 year olds, but honestly my son (who is 5) enjoyed a lot of these stories! (depends on how well they like to listen and sit!) I like that it is based on kids, and the language and attitude is kept as such. Oliver's writing is clean and yet stimulating; it cultivates a lot of imagery and inspires!
I think this would be a great gift for any boy who is looking for a good hero! It would be good for perhaps homeschooling middle school-aged as well because it gives history in an understandable way!
I love how it provides heroes for our boys to look up to. Hero's that were ordinary men; who didn't even know they were heroes.
Amazing Tales For Making Men out of Boys by Neil Oliver is full of chapters of history, and amazing examples of people who have overcome trials. It was encouraging and delightful to read this book. I like that he uses real heros, and real places. It's the kind of book that boys can really get into! Oliver creates wonderful imagery and is a good storyteller. It has just what my son enjoys.. tales of war and rights, and astronauts to name a few. I think it is for probably 6-14 year olds, but honestly my son (who is 5) enjoyed a lot of these stories! (depends on how well they like to listen and sit!) I like that it is based on kids, and the language and attitude is kept as such. Oliver's writing is clean and yet stimulating; it cultivates a lot of imagery and inspires!
I think this would be a great gift for any boy who is looking for a good hero! It would be good for perhaps homeschooling middle school-aged as well because it gives history in an understandable way!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
out dated views on war and "manly men"
I picked this up thinking that it would condense several interesting historical events into short entertaining reads. However, I was sorely disappointed. Read more
Published on March 12, 2010 by Hector
Disappointed reading for younger boys
I guess I was expecting something a little more appropriate for a 6 year old and 4 year old. I wanted something exciting I could read to my boys before they went to bed at night,... Read more
Published on June 2, 2009 by Real Dad of Grant County
Amazing tales of fighting, war and death is more like it
I wanted to like this book, I really did. But the author's idea of "making men out of boys" (the subtitle for this book) seems to involve a lot of killing, and even when there is... Read more
Published on May 10, 2009 by M. Knapp
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