Dangerous Book for Boys (2007 publication) [Paperback]

Conn Iggulden (Author), Hal Iggulden (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1ST edition (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739488252
• ISBN-13: 978-0739488256
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in London, Conn Iggulden studied English at London University and worked as a teacher for seven years before becoming a full-time writer. Along with the He is also the author of the Emperor series of books (a series of novels featuring Julius Caesar) and the new Conqueror series (novels featuring Genghis Khan). Conn Iggulden lives in Hertfordshire, England with his wife and their children.
Conn on why The Dangerous Book for Boys was such a success: "In a word, fathers. I am one myself and I think we've become aware that the whole "health and safety" overprotective culture isn't doing our sons any favors. Boys need to learn about risk. They need to fall off things occasionally, or--and this is the important bit--they'll take worse risks on their own. If we do away with challenging playgrounds and cancel school trips for fear of being sued, we don't end up with safer boys--we end up with them walking on train tracks. In the long run, it's not safe at all to keep our boys in the house with a Playstation. It's not good for their health or their safety.
You only have to push a boy on a swing to see how much enjoys the thrill of danger. It's hard-wired. Remove any opportunity to test his courage and they'll find ways to test themselves that will be seriously dangerous for everyone around them. I think of it like playing the lottery--someone has to say "Look, you won't win--and your children won't be hurt. Relax. It won't be you."
I think that's the core of the book's success. It isn't just a collection of things to do. The heroic stories alone are something we haven't had for too long. It isn't about climbing Everest, but it is an attitude, a philosophy for fathers and sons. Our institutions are too wrapped up in terror over being sued--so we have to do things with them ourselves. This book isn't a bad place to start.
As for knockoff books--great. They'll give my son something to read that doesn't involve him learning a dull moral lesson of some kind--just enjoying an adventure or learning skills and crafts so that he has a feeling of competence and confidence--just as we have."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of information, January 21, 2010

By 

Linda Jenkins (Jacksonville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dangerous Book for Boys (2007 publication) (Paperback)

My 10-year-old son was not too happy to receive a book for Christmas. But once he started flipping through it, he thought it was pretty cool. There is such a variety of topics. My husband has even been reading it for the stories about historic battles, etc. A great book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great fun, November 21, 2010

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Peggy Gerber (Lansing, MI, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dangerous Book for Boys (2007 publication) (Paperback)

I love this book. I bought it as much for myself as for the boys in my life. There's all sorts of fun stuff to do and stories and good advice. The section on girls is particularly fun. Though the cover looks old, the book was written recently and is delightful. There's a similar book for girls (The Daring Book for Girls) and is equally fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars all boys should have this book, August 12, 2010

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truth is logical (AZ) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dangerous Book for Boys (2007 publication) (Paperback)

This book is full of all those things that dads used to teach their sons in days gone by. Too few boys (and men) know these things nowadays, yet they probably wish they did. My 3 boys thoroughly enjoy(ed) this book. (There is also a companion board game of the same name -- great fun!)