Customer Reviews

A New Conversation with Men

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Masculinity is one of those concepts that for me, is difficult to define. There are so many different aspects. But when it shines with the right expression, it is a beautiful thing. There is something universal about it, cutting across borders and cultures. In his book "A New Conversation With Men" author/coach Michael Taylor describes a step by step process for creating that result in any one of us, and in the process defines a model for authentic manhood in this new century. It is a wonderful book, written with integrity and an inspiring read.

Robert Case

author of "Daedalus Rising"

In A NEW CONVERSATION WITH MEN by Michael Taylor he tries to teach men to become better fathers, encourage men to become better husbands, teach men to live with purpose and get men more involved in their communities. Mr. Taylor's belief is that most men are tired of being broke because they are working jobs they hate or just trying to keep up to a lifestyle they really can not afford. Men have a hunger for something different and with A NEW CONVERSATION WITH MEN, Mr. Taylor tries to give men a new way of thinking.

Mr. Taylor outlines the three things that he feels that shape a man's view of himself: family, culture and media/society. He also outlines "the five illusions of manhood." With this he attempts to show men they must be willing to be transformed and change their thinking. How men need a support system. How they need to develop a better spiritual connection with God. They need to be willing to heal from past hurts and mistakes in order to move forward. Mr. Taylor goes into how men can begin their transformation. He also touches upon the fact that men need to get in touch with their feelings of being abandoned by their fathers and not to repeat the vicious cycle; to have your child feel as though they can trust you and to always keep their word and most important to lead by example. If you are saying one thing and doing another that is just going to confuse a child because children learn by example.

A NEW CONVERSATION WITH MEN is well thought out ideals on teaching men to let go of their old ways and to become even better men to their women, children and their families. This book should be used as a motivational tool for men. With the inspirational quotes it is sure to inspire men to at least attempt to put some of these steps into practice. Personally, I thought the book to be too drawn out and repetitive, making the book a little difficult to read. For the most part Mr. Taylor is trying to attempt to bring men to a new revolution and I applaud his efforts.

Reviewed by: LeonaR

"I think Michael Taylor's message is very current, important, and much in need today. If we can just get a few more men to hear his message, and ask them to pass it on, pay it forward and walk the talk, maybe just maybe we can reach some of those lost men, brothers and son's".

This book is a fantastic read, open and honest talk. I strongly reccomend people "Gift" this book to a male they love.

Michael is featured on my blog, to find out more about Michael, please visit

[...]

I heard about this book, while listening to BTR show Black Author Network, hosted by Ella Curry. She has authors to stop in promote their books and does wonderful interviews.

The night Michael was on, she had a small trivia and I won, I was only going to pass it to my brother, but decided to open and see what was in there. I was impressed.

Although, it it is geared toward men there are a few chapters that I found very useful. The chapters on Joy, Passion and Creativity, Spirituality and What's Love Got to Do With It are great, my favorite is transformation.

I will definitely go back and read this book again. Highly recommended!

This is a nonfiction book: part autobiography, part guide to the betterment of mankind. Between the pages, Michael details his journey from a man with a very strong male ego, to his transformation into the authentic male: a man who is able to face his emotions and experience the joy that brings.

We start with the fact that the male of our species cause most of the violence in the world. From here the author challenges all males to start transforming themselves into the authentic male, and experience all the wonderments that this can bring. Some of the things the book covers are, the three things that shape a man's view of the world, to the five illusions of manhood.

The main premise of the story seems to me that if mankind does not curb its violent nature, our advancement in technology will assure a catastrophic future. Michael comes up with many thought provoking points in this book, and even if you do not agree with some of them, they will definitely make a person think.

Michael Taylor makes no bones about the intent of his book "A New Conversation with Men." It is nothing less than to create a new paradigm of masculinity in this country. He says so in the very first paragraph of Chapter One. By that, he means that some of the old ways of being a man in society no longer work. "What is needed," he says," are some new ways of being a man that empowers men to become better husbands, fathers, lovers, and friends." This is a tall order, but the prospects of being a better husband, father, lover, and friend got my attention and I couldn't wait to get started.

Taylor admits he is not an educated man; at least in terms of college degrees and advanced education; but his book runs on high octane motivation, and he is eminently qualified to dispense this motivation with common sense and real life examples. He is an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, and radio host, among other things.

There is a tipping point in any book where the author gets his hook into you and you are either with him the rest of the way, or you are not. This occurred fairly early when Taylor described what he called the five illusions of manhood i.e.: a man must: be non-emotional and disconnected; have status, position and power; have money and material possessions; use sexual conquest as a gauge for manhood; and must win at all costs and compete against other men. These illusions, he explained, contribute significantly to the social issues that currently plague our society. Issues like; divorce, poverty, domestic violence, drug addiction, and fatherlessness. It was at this point that I realized that Taylor was on to something and I had better pay attention to what he was saying

There are two phrases that occurred repeatedly throughout the book: "simple but not easy," and "are you ready for a new conversation with men?" After reading the latter phrase numerous times, I began to get the uncomfortable feeling that the book would end with a call to action; urging the reader to join a specific organization, or perhaps to purchase a series of seminars or books. To Taylor's credit, this did not happen. Instead, he eloquently summarized the need for a new paradigm of manhood throughout the world and issued a challenge for readers to join the revolution and spread the word, whenever and wherever they can. It makes a lot of sense.

Whenever I finish reviewing a book, I usually put it on a special shelf on my book case, where it sits indefinitely without being touched; a sort of book reviewer's game trophy. Not so with "A New Conversation with Men." As I am writing this, the book is sitting on my desk within arm's reach, and there it will sit for the foreseeable future. I intend to read it again, slowly, and then a few times more. Who knows, I might be the next person to join the revolution. It certainly can't hurt. It will make me a better man, and perhaps make the world a better place in which to live. Attention all men: read this book before it is too late!

Wow, this was fabulous. Michael did not make this read boring or difficult. He wrote with truth and feelings and his words brought shivers to my bones. His story reminded me of many men that I have met throughout my life and also made me think of myself.

Although I am a woman, I was a single parent, and played the role of Mom and Dad for many years. I always had the American Dream. I always wanted (and still want) to have my own business. I love being in charge and at the same time being a great employee.

As Michael explained his woes in life I felt for him. We believed that life would get easier as we grew older but many of us experienced the opposite. I loved this book and have already old others about it. I am waiting for my husband to read it so he can feel better about the road his life has taken but, at the same instance, he can realize that the road can turn.

Kudos Michael Taylor! This is a MUST READ.

"What if I take all of the energy and effort I have used trying to get rich, and take that effort and put it in to simply being happy?"

Michael Taylor, "A New Conversation with Men"

I had to laugh when I first read this book, because my husband and I had just had a conversation the night before about the difference between the male and the female perspective on world events. We were talking about nuclear warfare, and what would happen if you asked the man who issued the command what they thought would happen when it was all over.

"We'd win?" he'd inevitably reply.

We both had to chuckle, but this is a classic example of the stereotypical viewpoint of the role men are meant to play in our society, and it's exactly that viewpoint that A New Conversation with Men is attempting to knock. The belief in the type A personality, the need of men to be remote, aloof and aggressive, to speak their mind and to avoid focusing on the softer things in life like their emotions, their relationships and their happiness in favor of success is slammed down in favor of a new vision of what today's man should be.

Not just provider but father, partner and friend.

A New Conversation with Men teaches men how to make this change without sacrificing their personal success and their masculinity and, in doing so, reclaim their joy. From an unbiased viewpoint, I would say that this book is destined to start a revolution in how men see themselves and their role in society. As a woman, I would like to say that this is the book we've been waiting to hit the market for centuries!

-Heather Shockney