The Art of Manliness - Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the 7 Manly Virtues [Paperback]

Brett McKay (Author), Kate McKay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2011 | Series: The Art of Manliness

Based on a popular series, "Manvotionals" is a collection of the best advice ever written down for men. From the philosophy of Aristotle to the success books of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to the speeches and essays of Theodore Roosevelt, the book contains the manly wisdom of the ages - a myriad of poems, quotes, and essays designed to inspire men to live life to the fullest and realise their complete potential as men. The book is divided into 7 Manly Virtues. Each chapter helps the reader understand a particular virtue and become inspired to live it.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brett and Kate McKay are the married team behind the popular website, ArtofManliness.com. In just two years, the site has grown to over 1 million visitors a month, over 2 million page views a month, and over 70,000 daily subscribers. In addition, the authors maintain a thriving online social network called the Art of Manliness Community. Brett has a degree in Letters where he focused on classical history and philosophy. He also graduated in the top ten of his class in law school. Kate has a bachelor?s in history and graduated summa cum laude with a masters in religion. They live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: HOW Books (October 28, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440312001
• ISBN-13: 978-1440312007
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gender Studies > Men
  • #84 in Books > Education & Reference > Etiquette

More About the Author

Brett McKay is a man. Kate McKay loves manly men. Together this husband and wife team reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and run the ArtofManliness.com, the manliest website on the Internet.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for every young man, and a should-read for everyone else. November 1, 2011

By Canoelover

Format:Paperback

Full disclosure: I received an advance copy a few weeks ago as a contributor to the AoM site on all things outdoorsy. My 18 year-old son is reading it now after I finished it. Keep a pencil, you'll want to underline and write in the margins. I know it's sacrilege to some bibliophiles, but hey, you paid for it.

The Art of Manliness website is a great resource for men of all ages. It's not about macho...it's about manliness...being a man. Strong, not violent. Wise, not arrogant. Educated, not snobbish. A gentleman, not a man-child. Masculine, not emasculated.

In Manvotionals, Brett and Kate have compiled a nice collection of stories, quotes and other information that will make you think (or rethink) about the leaders of the past who were manly in the best sense. The cowards who "lead" today could take a page from men who told the truth and were more interested in being effective than being important.

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection Of Manly Wisdom - Will Pass Onto My Son November 1, 2011

By Antonio O. Centeno

Format:Paperback

Length: 4:12 Mins

Overall - I give this book 5 out of 5 Stars. An Excellent Read from Start to Finish.

3 Things I love About Manvotionals

Well Written Selection From History's Best
Men Quoted In Manvotionals include:
Marcus Aurelius
Jack London
Teddy Roosevelt
William Wordsworth
Ben Franklin
Rudyard Kipling
Martin Luther King
Frederick Douglas
Abraham Lincoln
Seneca
Brett and Kate also do a good job bringing in more modern quotes and lesser known men in addition to the familiar names above.

Time Tested
3000 Years of Wisdom - quotes come from men who lived before Christ and men still alive today.

Broken Into Easy to Read Pieces & Well Organized
Manvotionals can be read in small spurts or all at once. It has easy to grab quotes, solid short storied (300 words) and con
Manvotionals is broken into 10 sections, with 7 main parts focusing on the 7 virtues.
The 7 Virtues are:
Manliness
Courage
Industry
Resolution
Self Reliance
Discipline
Honor

Suggested Small Improvements
Perhaps they could publish a larger coffee table version with color pictures. The focus on only 7 virtues is a bit limited - it could be argued they missed other important aspects of what it means to be a man.

I have a 7 Year old son - I'll be passing this book onto him at the right time. I want to introduce him to these concepts - which to me is the best and final gauge of its value.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A study in manly virtues November 2, 2011

By T. Brian Westmoreland

Format:Paperback

This book is a daily dose of inspiration with a focus on Virtue as it was understood and appreciated in the ancient world. While the concept of virtue may seem almost antiquated in the thoughts of some, the authors have made a strong case for its relevance by collecting essays, poems, and letters from great men in history which show how crucial virtue is for developing mature manhood.

In the introduction to the book, the authors make an excellent case for the promotion of manliness, explaining that while some might see it as the opposite of womanhood, it is intended rather to promote the opposite of childhood, and as such has relevance for women as well.

Manvotionals gives us a peek into the hearts of great men such as Benjamin Franklin, Teddy Roosevelt, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass, Rudyard Kipling, and ancient voices like Euripides, Aesop and Marcus Aurelius. Through their words we hear what virtues inspired them, and how they focused their lives to become men of renown.

Rather than feeling shamed for not living up to my potential in comparison to these giants, I instead feel desire to achieve and become. How could I not like this book, when it stirs such inspiration?