The journey from childhood to manhood is a difficult time in every boy's life, and never has this transition been more challenging than it is today. In addition to the trials of peer pressure, hormones and popularity, young men must grapple with a culture that places enormous emphasis on physical appeal, material wealth and celebrity status. Television, film and video game heroes have become role models to a generation, and boys are hard-pressed to find reliable answers to the question of what it really means to be a man. Stepping in to help fill the void, A Better Man features interviews and first-person narratives from some of the most respected and engaging men in America today. With sincerity and humor, these surrogate fathers and grandfathers share their experience and advice on courage, service, anger, respect, and a host of other topics. An open letter from one generation to the next, A Better Man sheds some much-needed light on the path to manhood, showing boys another way. A better way.
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Editorial Reviews
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It's one thing to tell a child how to act and another thing entirely to show him. A Better Man does the latter through poignant stories about real people, told by the very people who lived them. This book provides lessons that pave the way to a newer, brighter future for men who will not only achieve great things in their lives, but also in the lives of the better men they will raise and mentor. Thank you, Kelly Johnson, for giving parents, educators, and young people a book that will positively influence the lives of our nation's men for generations to come. --Michael Gurian, author of The Wonder of Boys and The Purpose of Boys
There is no question that young men are negatively affected by the fractured, incoherent images of manhood so prevalent in the media today. Computer downloads, streaming videos, incessant cell phones, and iPods all contribute to a relentless onslaught from which our boys can find little relief. Until now. In her new book, A Better Man, Kelly Johnson has brought together twenty-six true American heroes and asked them to share some of their thoughts and insights on a host of topics. The result is a book of timeless wisdom that offers young men the unique opportunity to hear from great men their stories, the lessons they've learned, and the truth about being a man. It is a book whose time has come. --Captain Robert C. Hurd, USN (Ret.), Congressional Liaison, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
There is a disquieting trend in our society towards accepting less than our best and it's bled over into the outlook we have for the boys we are raising into men. A Better Man reminds us not to settle but to encourage our sons, our nephews, our brothers, and our neighbors to cultivate within themselves those qualities that make them better men: men of drive, honor, compassion, and integrity. Every young man would greatly benefit from the lessons learned in this book. Its positive impact will be felt for generations to come. --Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Jr.
There is no question that young men are negatively affected by the fractured, incoherent images of manhood so prevalent in the media today. Computer downloads, streaming videos, incessant cell phones, and iPods all contribute to a relentless onslaught from which our boys can find little relief. Until now. In her new book, A Better Man, Kelly Johnson has brought together twenty-six true American heroes and asked them to share some of their thoughts and insights on a host of topics. The result is a book of timeless wisdom that offers young men the unique opportunity to hear from great men their stories, the lessons they've learned, and the truth about being a man. It is a book whose time has come. --Captain Robert C. Hurd, USN (Ret.), Congressional Liaison, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
There is a disquieting trend in our society towards accepting less than our best and it's bled over into the outlook we have for the boys we are raising into men. A Better Man reminds us not to settle but to encourage our sons, our nephews, our brothers, and our neighbors to cultivate within themselves those qualities that make them better men: men of drive, honor, compassion, and integrity. Every young man would greatly benefit from the lessons learned in this book. Its positive impact will be felt for generations to come. --Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Jr.
About the Author
Kelly H. Johnson is an attorney, writer, and the mother/stepmother of five sons and one daughter. She holds a BBA from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law. She has written for both local and national parenting magazines, and her work appears in the compilations, The Imperfect Mom Candid Confessions of Mothers Living in the Real World (Doubleday); It's a Girl Women Writers on Raising Daughters (Seal Press); and Love Wins (SmileyBooks). Kelly lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, Fred, and their children, who outnumber them three to one.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Praises for Kelly Johnson and her contributors,
This review is from: A Better Man: True American Heroes Speak to Young Men on Love, Power, Pride and What It Really Means to Be a Man (Hardcover)
Kelly Johnson's book A Better Man is targeted to young men. I am not a young man, but a middle-aged woman, and I found myself wanting to reach for my yellow highlighter in each essay or interview, or in Johnson's introductions, to underscore a bit of wisdom or humanity that touched my core. But, I did not for I did not want to mar the newness, the pristine landscape of this recent publication. Because that's how I feel about what Johnson has done, opened up a new frontier with this courageous achievement. As readers, we are encouraged to be brave enough to meet her there.
If I were a parent, I might be defensive if I saw the title of this book. Sort of like, I'm doing a fine job thank you. As the mother of five boys and one girl, Johnson herself admits that this work was born from the frustrations of trying to instill right from wrong in the face of so much outside distortion. This is something we all struggle with, not only young men, knowing what's right yet possibly following what's popular instead, or acting out of unresolved pain. I promise you, this book in no means talks down to anyone, but makes tangible that which each of us knows we are all capable of, being a better person. Each contributor has a unique and pertinent viewpoint. As a person with liberal tendencies, I balked when I saw GHW Bush's name. But I kept an open mind and was very glad I did. Perhaps you'll see a name that causes you pause. When it comes to Richmonders, Wilder is a controversial figure stemming from his tenure as mayor. My advice is to keep an open mind and don't be deterred from stepping into these pages with this mixed bag of heroic men who have so willingly shared what has worked for them to be able to do what's right and to prosper, in many more ways than solely monetarily. What heartens me is the honesty found here both on the part of the editor and the contributors, a willingness to go to places deep and sometimes scary in order to make a difference in young lives. A place where one's own truth speaks louder than the manipulative mainstream media thereby allowing for a more authentic expression of what it means to be a better man, a better human. And there are plenty of laughs along the way, too. In conclusion, I bet you, too, will be inspired to reach for the highlighter to underscore whichever passages resonate with you. When I reread this book as I know I will, I intend to go ahead and use that highlighter. This is not just a book for young men, yet it is very important that it reach that very special target group.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"A Better Man",
By Sterling (Ocean Isle Beach, NC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Better Man: True American Heroes Speak to Young Men on Love, Power, Pride and What It Really Means to Be a Man (Hardcover)
In her latest book, Kelly Johnson sends a wonderful, positive and inspirational message not only to young men, but to all readers, on the meaning of living one's life as a "Better Man". The interviews of the twenty-six strong, influential role models and heroes from the military, politics, sports and television are encouraging and uplifting stories, lessons and life experiences that we can all learn from. I have passed this book on to my son, who, as a new father, will no doubt be moved by the stories as I was. My grandson will also have a copy of the book. We are living in a troubled world, and I found this book to be a wonderful, strong message of hope and encouragement.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Better Man - Advice For Her Sons And Our Sons,
By
This review is from: A Better Man: True American Heroes Speak to Young Men on Love, Power, Pride and What It Really Means to Be a Man (Hardcover)
Kelly H. Johnson is a talented writer, who has given a gift to all young men. As the mother or stepmother of five boys, Kelly Johnson searched for a way to give her sons and our sons a deeper understanding of what it means to be a "Better Man". She has chosen well respected men from all cultural and racial backgrounds to offer their heartfelt counsel to our sons. The result is a broad spectrum of advice that she ties together through her interviews and word associations. Young men will benefit from this book, but men and women of all ages will love the biographies, editorial notes and views of their heros.
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