Customer Reviews

The Modern Man's Guide to Life

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Like some readers here I too got this book for high school graduation 9 years ago. The book is written in a straight-forward manner and easy to read. I enjoy reading and re-reading certain passages. In fact I use it as a reference to most anything. The only downside I can think of is it's datedness with some of the more technical aspects particularly with respect to surviving in the outdoors. Either way I hope it goes back to print.

To be a man means to be responsible for the situation and see that it is taken care of to best of your abilities. Wow! what an onerous burden! Plus the 'situations' of life are many,many and how are you suppose to know the best solutions. After all, how many chances are you going to get to perfect the art of offering bribes,or creating a favorable first impression at a formal gathering, or proper deportment at an orgy? Did you know that there is a form of good sports etiquette for poker playing or sailing or tennis? Most guys can probably do a fair explanation of home/auto maintenance, but who can fathom the murky world of females and their seductions? How do you choose a lawyer,how much to tip the concierge,how do you carve a thanksgiving turkey, can my baldness really be cured? You do the best you can but no one knows all the ropes.So you inevitably spend more time than you'd like screwing up and picking the pieces up. Finally in 1987 The Modern Man's Guide to Life came out. The authors did a fine job breaking a man's life into various chapters. Each chapter kind of gives a broad view and potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. As well, it tells what is expected of you in your role as a man. As a high light, there is sort of a side bar commentary from experienced guys in the ways of the chapter under study, additional practical advise. In 1987 this book was a God-send to a young man just on his own. My older son recently read the same book and assures me that 95% of the information is still up do date.(skip the chapter on clothes,now a days it's comical)People cut their hair different or change styles of clothes or listen to different music, but how to honorably handle yourself as a man never changes. At least this book gives you some tools start with.

I received this book for my high school graduation and read it cover to cover. It has practical knowledge that is easy to read. "The Guide" talks about things my parents never had the never to discuss with me. I hope they go into print soon because many men could use what its got.

This is the finest book ever written for men and the questions we are all afraid to ask. A friend got it for me in late 1990 and then I lost it in 1995. Luckily, it was still in print and I could get a new copy. This manual of life should be given to all men when they graduate from high school as I tried to do for another friend this year. I am glad I didn't give it to him since it is no longer in print. This book is as indispensable to the American male as the towel is to the hitchhiker in the galaxy!!

This title, a contribution by dozens of different experts, is absolutely a must. It covers those things that never change like how to break a pipe in and how not to pee on yourself. Highly recommended for ANYONE who cares about the finer things.

One of my all-time favorites for giving at graduation, and a terrible shame it is out of print. Written with a dry sense of humor that promotes reading the book from cover to cover the first time, it becomes a fantastic reference for everything from manners to stain removal to "flying an airplane if the pilot dies". The Boy Scout Handbook for the 1990's and beyond. Absolutely indispensable.

I first bought this book when I was stationed overseas. The information in it was as useful there as it was stateside. So far I've had one copy "borrowed" by a junior officer(you know who you are),"lost" in the dorm room of a friend, and one was simply outright stolen. Everyone I meet wants this book, includeing women. If you can get it, lock it up!

This stellar volume is jam-packed with information which ranges from picking a wardrobe, cooking easy meals, and of course.. relationships. I bought this when it first came out and my (then) girlfriend said, "Hey, where's the guide for women!". I agree with the other reviewers as some of the tech info is out of date, for example much has changed with tvs, computers and the internet. OTOH, there is more than enough advice for realms that one would not normally think about, for example buying a house at tax auction. Fantastic book!

What to Do If the Pilot Dies, How to Hop a Freight, all that and more is in this great classic. I bought a copy of this book when it first came out, and I've bought at least one copy (one way or another) every year since because my friends keep stealing mine. The tech stuff is dated, but the rest is golden. I'm ordering another copy now, probably the 20th one. Maybe someday this book will be the basis for some new Guy religion. I'm already a believer!

The seasons change and fads come and go, but the modern man is always in fashion. This books is an essential tool for the distinguished gentlemen, and it makes a great gift for anyone hoping to brush up on their social skills, land an airplane, or build a log cabin. It's all in there. There are sections on marriage, dating, home repair, clothes, camping, sports, electronic equipment, and fine spirits and cigars. Some of the technical aspects of the book are a bit outdated, but the principles of the books' teachings are invaluable to the modern man and never go out of style. Makes great bathroom reading!