A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Steven Prigge (Author) "A man's man has no problem meeting women..." (more)
Key Phrases: resting your head, pai gow poker, man singer, Las Vegas, New York, Frank Sinatra (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A man's man, according to actor Vincent, is "a jack of all trades, but also a master of all," who drinks only imported beer (that is, when he can't round up a fine scotch, a gin martini with three olives, or a glass of wine), wears cologne, owns a "tailored to perfection" tuxedo and can afford to own only designer clothes (those of Italian origin hold particular sway with Vincent, who's appeared in The Sopranos and Goodfellas). With one glance at the cover, most readers will be able to divine the majority of Vincent's guidelines, but there are a few surprises: recipes for lentil soup, the divination of a Fire & Ice rose and a brief passage on the virtues of monogamy. These, however, are couched in lessons on how to live life as if it were an audition for a bit-part in a gangster movie, told in predictably gauche prose. ("If you want to be a big dog, then don't play like a puppy.") Want to learn how to smoke a cigar? Order a martini? Appreciate wine? Talk your way into an exclusive club? It's all in here, but it's all been done before.
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Review

As an actor Frank Vincent always leaves an impression. This book is guaranteed to have the same effect. -- Ray Liotta

Disgustingly charismatic. Horrifyingly macho. Read it as soon as possible! -- Rosie Perez

Frank Vincent is not only a terrific actor-he's also one helluva writer. -- Denis Leary

Frank Vincent's a stand-up guy. Now, sit down and read! -- James Gandolfini

Old school sexy...Frank Vincent's a Renaissance man! -- Debi Mazar

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (March 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425208761
• ISBN-13: 978-0425208762
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #564,837 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Veteran Mob Actor Frank Vincent Has an Offer that a "Man's Man" Can't Refuse, April 10, 2006

By	Glen G. Boyd "http://theglenblog.blogspot.com" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The lost art of being a Man's Man..., May 2, 2007

By	Thomas R. Zarzecki Jr. "TommyZman" (North Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You can't say "machismo", April 5, 2006

By	Nicholas R. Hunter (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.