Customer Reviews

A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Okay guys, listen up. Because it's time to Man Up. And who better to teach the finer points - the ins and outs if you will - of being a "man's man" than veteran mob guy character actor Frank Vincent?

You may not know the name Frank Vincent, but you'll know the face the second you see him smoking a cigar on the cover of his new book. You see, Frank Vincent has played more wise guys in mob movies than you can shake a loaded gun at.

As Billy Batts in Martin Scorsese's mob classic Goodfellas, Vincent infamously tells fellow wise guy Joe Pesci's character to "Go home and get your shinebox." More recently as Johnny Sack's captain Phil Leotardo on HBO's The Sopranos, Vincent is the perennial thorn in Tony Soprano's ass.

Tony Soprano himself, James Gandolfini, repays the favor to Vincent here by writing the introduction to Vincent's book, the ultimate how to guide to achieving true manliness in an Alan Alda world. There are also some great interviews here with Vincent's "man's man" pals like Steven Van Zandt, James Caan, and Vincent "Big Pussy" Pastore. Frank Vincent doesn't just "talk the talk," he "walks the walk" - both on and off screen.

Here he schools you in all aspects of being a "Man's Man." Now if you are already a graduate of "Man's Man 101" (and what real man would admit otherwise?), not to worry: A Guy's Guide To Being A Man's Man, at 250 pages, is also a very quick and often hilarious read.

It's all here. Like the right movies for a "man's man" to watch, including lists on the best westerns, war, sports, and of course, gangster flicks. There's even a section on "chick flicks." It simply reads, "I don't think so."

From winning big in Vegas to getting past the Velvet Rope of "King" the Doorman at that exclusive New York nightclub, Frank Vincent reveals that being a "man's man" is all in the attitude.

In the section on music, Vincent rates a top 15 "man's man" musicians which include the usual suspects like Sinatra and Tony Bennett, as well as such unlikely inclusions as Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. ("His lips have been a helipad for some of the most beautiful women in the world.")

Vincent also rates the best driving songs, the best drinking songs, and - of course - the best (Chris Issak's "Wicked Game") and worst (Jimmy Buffet's "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw") songs to make love by.

Vincent doesn't miss a trick here. From what a "man's man" eats, smokes, and drinks (real men prefer martinis and only imported beer) to the way he dresses, accessorizes, and grooms himself. (Be sure to get those nails clipped and manicured fellas.)

He covers all of the bases in A Guy's Guide To Being A Man's Man. And speaking of bases, you'll never make it past the first one without reading the essential advice here on how to get her digits. For instance, when approaching a group of girls in a club, a man's man will never say "You should tell me your girlfriend's name before we have the threesome." Even if that's what he is thinking.

Oh, and guys, here's another piece of advice: If you do get that "special someone" home after a night of partying at the nightclub, don't leave this book out on the coffee table. Probably better to hide it in a safe place. Like right next to that secret porn stash of yours.

Seriously though, A Guy's Guide To Being A Man's Man is a great and very fun read. Now go home and get your shinebox.

Frank Vincent is a Man's Man in every sense of the word. Although some of this book has a "tongue in cheek" edge, the message it gives is not. A Man's Man is someone who has respect for others as well as himself. He carries himself in an assured way and gives off a positive vibe. He has a keen awareness of the world around him and knows how to give and receive. He's tough but fair, bold and honest.

In today's world of gay rights, women's rights, and the self absorbed metrosexual movement, Frank Vincent says "Hey, what about the rights of the Man's Man?" The ugly stench of political correctness has relegated the Man's Man to third class citizenship and it's about time we stood up and took back what is rightfully ours: and that's out dignity and self respect.

The book has excellent tips on what the man's man does, what he enjoys, and how he treats others.

Some of the reviewers in here missed the real message and focused too much on the clothes and accoutrement's. The real message is about how to carry yourself as a man so that other's perceive you as a strong individual who has something to offer.

Lots of good stories and laughs here by Frankie V. A fun as hell read and highly recommended by this gagootz!

without saying "cheese", and this book has the ol' provolone in spades, baby! For the kind of fella who wishes to perfect his "Italian stallion" stereotype, this is the book! However, you might want to save the cost of purchasing this book and borrow it from the library instead because being a "man's man" does not come cheap. Custom made suits and shirts, gold cigar lighters, a "weekend" car, are just a few Frank's many costly requirements to become "a man's man".

Is my repeated use of the phrase "a man's man" becoming slightly irritating yet?

Although Frank takes pains to explain how to invest tens of thousands of dollars in order to spend look, sound, smell, and act like "a man's man" without looking like a "guido from Brooklyn," I admit it would take a more educated eye than my own to tell the difference: it seems to mainly come down to the difference between gold-plate and 9k gold.

Four stars for Steve Prigge's hysterical satire.

The best thing I can say about this book is that it's funny and probably unintentionally so in some places. The problem with much of Mr Vincent's advice is that it is extremely focused on costly material acccesories and goods that are probably out of the reach of the regular "guys" he is supposedly preaching to.As you might expect, it's heavily slanted towards his ethnic heritage as far as his tastes go. Mr Vincent may not be the world's biggest film star, but he obviously can afford to indulge himself in all the goodies he outlines in his book, without a whole lot of concern over cost. If your'e a guy making 50-70 a year with a mortgage, car payment and all the other expenses, are you going to spend $400.00 on a lighter? Or $500.00 on a box of cigars? How about a $50-$100.00 bottle of wine.For most average guys, the numbers simply don't add up. He seems to be making the argument that only the more expensive items are the way to go, and that's simply not the case.Sometimes the key to enjoying life is realizing that the most expensive isn't necessarily the best. That aside, if you read the entire book it does contain some sound advice on more basic things like grooming and taking care of yourself in general. The section on food and restaurant reviews was also good. Mr. Vincent seems earnest in his advice, and some of it, particular when he's not focusing on the material, is actually good.

While the book becomes impractical at times (most people don't "do Vegas" with James Caan), it is an excellent read and shows excellent values.

While not a traditional "self help" book, this book goes a long way to laying the foundation of what it measn to be a "man" without in any way being sexist. It allows one to "rediscover" respect: for yourself, for you "lady", and for others. While the book at times goes a bit too far in name dropping, it nevers does so in a self-conceited manner.

After reading this book, I felt a real desire for taking Frank Vincent out for a drink and a cigar. He comes across as a person you would just like to hang around with.

While guys my age, completely alienated by the pop culture of the day, are relegated to sports, documentaries on sea lions, Honeymooners reruns, movies like Goodfellas, occasionally something on the literary side comes along to add to the support: Frank Vincent's distinctive voice comes through loud and clear, and the humour is always tasteful, in his "Guy's Guide...".
If you're a single guy trying to make it on 40-grand a year in New Jersey, maybe some of the references herein are...somewhat out of reach, but the deeper meaning comes through - eat well, dress well, join a gym, take a class - it's all about *self-esteem*.

If you need a book to tell you how to be a Man's Man, you're a lost cause. That said, this is an entertaining read on how to be a Man's Man - in the Mafia sense of the world: Loyal, Strong and Looking the Part. The author, a character actor famous for being a mob thug in every gangster show from Casino to the Sopranos, presents himself as an authority - part Hollywood, part old school classic man. (On the cover he looks more real estate salesman than mafia enforcer.)

The book is set up in various chapters describing various aspects of Manhood: Dating, Dressing, Cigars, Restaurants and even Vegas. I'll assume that the detailed listings aren't product placements - the restaurants listed certainly are testosterone havens. The advice - well, it's certainly worthy: Be yourself, be confident, and wear the right things, even if you have to spend to do so.

The book has an extended section on cigars - not useful for the non-afficianado. He also takes Jimmy Buffett to town several times - man's men are told not to drink alcohol from a blender or romance women with, "Why don't we get drunk" Even the most devoted Parrotheads will admit he has a point.

Read the book as entertainment and you'll get a couple chuckles, and might even learn something. If not, go home and get your shinebox...

I've hated every character this guy has played but he sure writes a terrific book. Funny, sarcastic, informative . . . if your boy or man is a slob, a hippie, a beatnik, or any of the above, get him this book. He'll be whipped into shape in no time. And you will be writing Frank Vincent 'thank you' cards, believe me.

I bought this book right as it came out the back room in my local Barnes and Nobel. Within two hours I had it read from front to back. Very quick read. It's riddled with all types of suggestions and euphemisms about what makes an average guy, transform himself into a man's man. Some of the suggestions are a little subjective to older middle-aged men, but if you can get the gist of what Frank is talking about, then the whole borgata is completely applicable. The interviews are funny and interesting, and the whole section on how to dress like a man's man and take care of your entire appearance is totally worth the money. I give Frank six stars if I could. Nice job, now go get the book.

We bought 50 books and gave them out as gifts. They were a big hit with the guys.