Customer Reviews

Be a Man!: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this book for my son who wanted it, and when it arrived I decided to preview it myself to see if it were appropriate for the other men on my Christmas list. I ordered six more copies! Since then I have ordered three more! The book is great!

This book is very easy reading, as you feel that Fr. Larry is standing right in front of you, talking right to you. He addresses the readers as "gentlemen," but you could substitute your own name very easily to make it seem like Fr. Larry is speaking to you personally.

Fr. Larry substantiates almost everything he says with Scripture. I was impressed to find passages from Scripture on almost every page. Anecdotes - sometimes humorous - and stories from Father's own life, stories and quotes of the saints, popes and other Christians like Billy Graham, all support the point he is trying to make in each chapter. No one could ever accuse this book of being boring!

This book is very practical too. At the end of each of the ten chapters is a list of three tasks to be accomplished, along with three questions for reflection and discussion. At the end of the book the thirty tasks are recapped with checkboxes so you can check them off as you accomplish them.

Although this book was written for men, there are several chapters which could apply to women also. Father admittedly suggests that chapter nine about holiness is not for just men, as we are ALL called to be holy. I also found the chapters about repentance and the Holy Spirit very helpful, as again, women also are called to repent and to live a life in the Holy Spirit. I especially liked Father's explanations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, since many people do not understand those gifts. So, women, I suggest you buy this book for the man or men in your life, and do as I did and read it first. But don't read it in public, because if someone sees the title and sees you reading it, they may get the wrong idea!

Seriously though, if every man who reads this book would do exactly what it says, and become the man God created him to be, this world would be a much better place.
June Klins

Gentlemen,
How many times have you looked around and asked "What in the heck is going on in the world?" There are threats to your masculinity as well as your family around every turn. I submit that these threats must be met by truly Christian men who understand what is at stake and want to do something about it.

Fr. Larry Richards is a masterful speaker and his humor and wisdom make this a must have book for any Christian man. To be a man holds many responsibilities and it can be difficult to maintain a truly Christian life in this crazy mixed up world. With the help of Fr. Larry and the unchanging truths of our Christian faith he will help you to step up and truly BE A MAN!

Our men's group will be using this book as a basis for our ministry and we highly recommend it.

When was the last time you listened to six hours of a priest's homily in three days--and wished there was more? Well, that's what happens to you at one of the parish missions Fr. Larry puts on across the country; that's how we first encountered him a few years ago. Now, one of the best homilists in America has put it in writing.

You feel Fr. Larry getting to you in the first line of the first chapter: Fr. Larry says you are going to die! But don't get discouraged because by the last chapter he's got you pumped about doing something to help change the world; dying can come later after you get the job done.

What's so compelling about this book is that Fr. Larry is on every page--and, in a way, so are you! Fr. Larry is yelling at you, grabbing you by the collar, pulling, shoving you to Christ; and you're loving it. You'll laugh and you'll cry because he's so down to earth not only about you but himself: "...when I am in the chapel alone...when the God of the universe kicks my butt from one end of the chapel to the other because He loves me and wants me to be holy."

Although the title suggests it's a book for men, there's a lot for women, too, especially in understanding the men in women's lives, and the differences between men and women. (Elizabeth & Richard Gerbracht)

I bought this book (Kindle version) about a month ago. For me this is not a sit down and read it through in a few days kind of book. It is more of a journey. I have not finished it because there is so much to do in my life because of it. I have always been somewhat of a "radical" Christian, but often misguided. Father Larry takes the radical truth of Christianity, and presents it with wisdom and honor. In every sense this is a book for real men. If you are a guy that just wants to sit on the fence, and not "stand up" and "man up", then Father Larry's message is not for you. On the other hand if you have the guts to face life as it really is. And you have the nerve to see yourself as you really are, and how the living GOD wants you to be. Then get ready, after reading this book you will have not excuse. As others have said, really everyone needs to read this book. But for a man that is looking for spiritual direction this is a must read.

I would also add that this is one of the few books I have ever read that I know I will use as a reference for the rest of my life.

Fr. Larry Richards book is a must read! After reading the book, one of my sons agreed to take a look at it and his remarks afterward confirmed my feelings as well. "Dad this is one of the best books I have read about our life here on earth". Where is your focus? Is God really number one in your life? I really believe this book could change your life.
Thank you, Fr. Larry.

I have been listening to the CDs by Fr. Larry. I saw him at the last two CT men's conferences. The book is very good, but when you add Fr. Larry's delivery-- the message is superb.
If you know any thoughtful men who likes to read, it is a perfect gift. Fr. Larry has inspired me to be a better Catholic who wants to go to Heaven someday. We all need to be ready. Please lookup Fr. Larry's foundation too, and find the Reason for our hope. The book deserves five stars and a lofty sales number. God Bless.

Men,

When it eventually dawns on you that you will not live forever and that one day you are going to have to stand in front of Our Lord and given an account of your life.....are you going to be proud of what you did? Will you be able to say without doubt that you love our Lord more than yourself? If not READ THIS BOOK!!! Fr Larry has been blessed with the Grace of God to be able to articulate to all Men in a manner that we all understand. He pulls no punches and tells us all what we need to do, how we need to do it and kicks us where it hurts if we fail to do it!! I promise you this book will have a profound effect on your faith journey. Fr Larry has inspired me tremendously and I guarantee that he will do the same for you and bring you closer with each page to Jesus Christ. Too scared? Be A Man...buy this book! God Bless+++

My wife bought me this book as a surprise for me. What a great gift to recieve it was too. Wives please buy this book for your husbands. Girls buy it for your boyfriends. It is what we all need to hear but especially men need to hear it!! Not only is this book inspiring it is so truthfull. We should not be afraid of the truth. Father Larry is not for the weak of heart. But then again Jesus is not weak. If you know Father Larry which I am proud to say that I do. Then you will actually hear him literally speaking to you through this book. His demeanor shines through completely because he truly loves Jesus Christ. But it is not about Father Larry, it is about the truth, and the truth is men need to become men. If any man has the courage to read this book and heed the advice offerred in it. It will change them forever and their relationships not just with their wife or girlfriend but with everyone!! Thank you Father Larry Deacon Tim Wren

I purchased this book for my husband and sons because we met Fr. Larry Richards at a mission he gave in our parish. He is so plain spoken its easy to understand and at the end of each chapter he poses questions for you to pray and think about. Any man would feel God's love and be a better man of faith after reading this book. Don't miss any opportunity to see Fr. Larry in person.

This is a wonderful, inspiring, and hard-hitting book. It cuts to the core, with straight and plain, but also very humorous talk. The strength of this book is not only that the words go directly to head and heart, but also because Father Richards has been there. He knows where he's talking about. His conversion-story illustrates the way he knows where we - males - struggles with. The first sentence of the book did hit me between the eyes: "You are going to die!" The rest of the first chapter is one that should make every man nervous. This sounds that it is one of those books with tough-male talk. Nothing of the kind! The message of Father Richards is one of love. Remember: "You are My beloved son". That is the central message of this book. Highly recommended!