100 Books Every Man Should Read | The Art of Manliness

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One of the first articles we published on the art of masculinity was “100 Must-Read Books for Men.” the article was the result of a collaboration between the aom team and some guest writers.

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The list was certainly decent enough, but some of the guest picks weren’t books we’d personally recommend. as well, in the last nine years we have read some additional books worthy of inclusion.

so today we present a renewed list of 100 books that every man should read throughout his life. it’s a library that doesn’t focus on pure enjoyment (although you’ll find that, too), but on books that expand your mind and soul, build new mental models, and enable you to become more culturally literate and therefore more able to engage in the great conversation these are the books you’ll keep thinking about long after you’ve finished the last page (even when, or perhaps especially when, you disagree with their ideas), providing cognitive leftovers you’ll be chewing on for years and decades . to come.

the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald

Set among the elites of New York City in the Roaring 20s, this book is considered one of America’s greatest literary products for a reason. Narrator Nick Carraway befriends his mysterious millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and turns out to be a crucial link in Jay’s quixotic obsession with Nick’s cousin, Daisy. The metaphors, the beautiful writing, and the lessons one can learn about reliving the past make The Great Gatsby worth reading, over and over again. Our interview with NPR’s Maureen Corrigan is worth listening to. She is the author of So Keep Reading: How The Great Gatsby Came To Be And Why It Endures. We discuss her research on why a novel written about Jazz Age New York resonates with Americans nearly a century later.

the prince of nicolo machiavelli

Written in the early 1500s, this is the classic guide on how to acquire and maintain political power (even if those methods are sometimes unpleasant), known as a “handbook for princes.” his precepts are direct, if not eerily cold in their formulated pragmatism. asks the classic question: “Does the end justify the means?” a worthy read for any man who wishes to better understand the motivations and actions that tend to govern modern politics.

band of brothers by stephen ambrose

Stephen Ambrose, who passed away long before his time, has given us some of the best World War II stories out there, with the band of brothers being the best of the bunch. From his rigorous training in Georgia to the end of the war, Ambrose tells the incredible story of the men of easy company. They were soldiers who starved, froze, and died for each other, and whose inspiring story lives on not just in this book, but in dozens of others and, of course, in the popular HBO miniseries.

plato’s republic

The Republic is a Socratic dialogue, written by Plato around 380 BC, on the definition of justice and how a just city-state should be ordered and characterized. It is the best-known work of the great philosopher and has proven to be one of the most influential works of philosophy and political theory in history. In it, Socrates and various other interlocutors discuss the meaning of justice and examine whether the just is happier than the unjust, as well as the theory of forms, the immortality of the soul, and the role of the philosopher in society. .

the wealth of nations by adam smith

the fundamental work on free market policies: “it is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their consideration for their own interest. we address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-esteem, and we never speak to them of our own needs but of their advantages.” Do you want an economics education? this book is a great start.

jack london’s call of the wild

The remarkable story of Buck, a domesticated dog forced to adapt to a working life in Alaska during the Yukon Gold Rush, and told from his perspective. over time, his soft exterior and manners harden as he learns the harsh realities of the cold. survival replaces comfort and toughness replaces laxity. Furthermore, Jack London delivers some of the most powerful and virile writing he has ever come across.

theodore roosevelt trilogy by edmund morris

Over the course of three volumes and some 2,500 pages, Edmund Morris takes us through the unprecedented and never-duplicated life of AOM’s patron saint, President Theodore Roosevelt. no one achieved more or lived as vigorously as tr. From his younger days as a wimp who learned how to perfect his body, to his latest forays into politics and the Amazon, Morris truly covers it all. beastly though it is, this trilogy is well worth the time of any man who has ever felt a little unease; reading about tr will turn that anxiety into action!

1984 by george orwell

Set in a future dystopian world of perpetual war and constant government surveillance, our protagonist Winston is a quintessential everyman who works for the Ministry of Truth rewriting history along the rhetoric of ruling party lines. he meets a secret organization that seeks to destroy the state and, together with a mysterious woman, joins the cause to fight against his older brother. Although it was published in the late 1940s, it resonates more powerfully today than ever. will you be a lemming? Or will you be an independent thinker and actor?

brave new world by aldous huxley

Similar to 1984, but while that novel heralds changes in government rules, Aldous Huxley’s 1931 classic looks at technological changes that would change society: Babies are born in labs, entertainment is formulaic rather than narrative, individuality is frowned upon and society is highly stratified. Bernard Marx is at the highest levels of society, but he just can’t seem to fit in. So he takes an ill-advised vacation, only to discover some disturbing things about the world he left behind.

how to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie

The grandfather of interpersonal skills books, the advice found on how to win friends and influence people is still valid and applicable 80 years later. Carnegie writes about skills like making people feel valued and appreciated, making sure you don’t come off as manipulative (which happens unintentionally more than you think!), and essentially “winning” people over to your views and ideas. ideas. While it may sound a bit disingenuous in describing it, these are really skills that people use every day, and this book is a great resource for upping your social game.

roman honor for carlin barton

the best book on honor, bar none. Barton masterfully explores how honor shaped life in ancient Rome from the earliest days of the republic to the fall of the empire. she shows how small, intimate groups are vital for honor to survive and how imperialism kills it. This book is a difficult read, but it is worth the effort. the ideas are so brilliant as to be almost surprising, and even the footnotes are full of fascinating asides.

catch-22 by joseph heller

Set in Italy during World War II, Catch-22 is the story of fake bomber John Yossarian. he’s a hero, but he also bristles at the thought that there are crowds of people he’s never met who are trying to kill him. beyond that, his own military has enacted catch-22, a bureaucratic rule that states a man is insane if he voluntarily continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he requests to be decommissioned he is sane and therefore , you are not eligible to participate. be relieved. and thus a military satire and a phrase synonymous with the word “enigma” is born.

slaughterhouse-five by kurt vonnegut

This wacky and offbeat novel tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, a guy who breaks free from the confines of time when he’s abducted by aliens. We look at Billy’s entire life, focusing primarily on his experiences as a prisoner of war in Dresden, Germany in 1945 during the infamous bombing of the city (a story shared by vonnegut himself). Using part science fiction, part humor, and part autobiography, vonnegut takes the reader on a sometimes uncomfortable journey through the realities and absurdities of war.

the brothers karamazov by fyodor dostoevsky

While the book’s plot centers on a disinterested elderly father and his three adult children, the essence within goes much further. Dostoevsky’s latest and greatest novel, this book also includes moral and spiritual dramas and debates on God, free will, ethics, morality, judgment, doubt, reason, and more. it is a philosophical work disguised as a novel, which, of course, makes Dostoevsky’s weighty ideas easier to digest. mcduff’s translation gets rave reviews.

the sun also rises by ernest hemingway

the novel that catapulted hemingway to worldwide fame and success. The Sun Also Rises follows Jake Barnes and a group of ex-patriot friends through Spain and France, complete with lots of wine and bullfighting. the novel is a bit semi-autobiographical in that the main character is trying to deal with his war wounds, both physical and emotional, and escape the supposed romanticism of traveling and eating and drinking to his heart’s content. does jake find happiness? you’ll have to read to find out.

for whom the bell tolls by ernest hemingway

robert jordan is a young bomber in the spanish civil war. He is an American who volunteers to fight Franco’s fascists and is sent behind enemy lines to seize an important bridge and impede the advance of enemy forces. he lives in a rudimentary camp with Spanish anti-fascist guerrillas, and comes to embrace their cordial way of life and love. And of course there are some incredible battle scenes, which were reported by Hemingway’s own time as a correspondent in the Spanish Civil War.

robinson swiss family by johann david wyss

After a terrible storm, the Swiss Robinson family is shipwrecked on a desert island. With teamwork, ingenuity, and a bit of courage, the group strives to overcome nature’s obstacles and create a semblance of community and civility within their new surroundings. a truly classic survival adventure tale.

on the road by jack kerouac

A defining novel of the beat generation, On the Road is a fictionalized but semi-autobiographical account of two friends’ road trips across America, set against the backdrop of a counterculture of jazz, poetry, drug use and the drunken spree from back alley bars. Throughout their travels, they seek what many young people are: freedom, ambition, hope, and authenticity.

jack kerouac’s dharma bums

First published in 1958, a year after On the Road put the beat generation on the map, The Dharma Bums stands as one of Jack Kerouac’s most powerful and influential novels. The story centers on two enthusiastic young Americans: mountain climber, poet, and Zen Buddhist Japhy Ryder, and Ray Smith, an innocent and enthusiastic writer, whose search for the truth leads them on a heroic odyssey, from marathon parties and poetry jam sessions. in san francisco from bohemia to loneliness and mountaineering in the high mountains.

the iliad & homer’s odyssey

These epic poems are some of the oldest literary works in the world. they have been read, enjoyed, and studied for thousands of years, and for good reason. They are not only beautiful to hear, but contain lessons every man can learn about heroism, courage, and manhood. The Iliad takes place over a few weeks in the final year of the Trojan War and details the heroic deeds of Achilles and Hector, as well as a variety of other legends and stories. The Odyssey, a sequel of sorts, is about the great warrior Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War. He faces various obstacles in his return to Greece, and we also see how his family at his home dealt with his supposed death.

walden by henry david thoreau

First published in 1854, Walden details Henry David Thoreau’s experiences over the course of two years, two months, and two days in a cabin he built near Walden Pond, in the middle of a forest owned by his friend and mentor ralph waldo emerson. the book is a philosophical reflection on the simple life and the detachment of the trivial ties that bind it to society. thoreau explains how cutting yourself off from the world of men can actually awaken the sleeping self.

lord of the flies by william golding

a novel about primal instincts and self-governance, set in the story of a group of normal kids stranded on an uninhabited island. while it’s fun at first, things quickly evolve when it comes time to really think about long-term survival. it is equal parts parable, political treatise, morality tale, and apocalyptic warning. Although it was published in 1954, its lessons and sentiments ring just as true today.

atlas shrugged for ayn rand

While there is a lot of political, moral and economic philosophy in this book, it is wrapped in a story of action and suspense. Set in the near future, our protagonists are Dagny Taggart, heir to a transcontinental rail empire, and Hank Rearden, the boss of a steel company who has invented a revolutionary new alloy. Together, they battle evil government bureaucrats and socialists to hold civilization together, while powerful industrialists mysteriously disappear, leaving behind only the cryptic phrase “Who is John Galt?” Although this book is associated with passionate libertarianism, the story is an interesting one to ponder regardless of one’s political convictions.

the boy scout handbook (1st edition)

this is the book that started the boy scout movement. You’ll be surprised at how much useful information the first edition manual has compared to current browser manuals. In addition to teaching essential exploration skills, the first edition also includes stories of adventure, bravery, and virtue that will thrill and inspire any man. Authentic first editions can be hard to find and very expensive, but fortunately, inexpensive reprints are readily available.

in the air by jon krakauer

mt. Everest’s 1996 climbing season became one of the deadliest in mountaineering history. author and journalist jon krakauer was there to write a story about everest and ended up right in the middle of a devastating and unexpected storm. The book is not just a remarkable adventure tale (made all the more dramatic by its reality), but a story of mountains and the great trials people go through to get to the top, even as they look death in the face. the face.

king solomon’s mines by h. emaciated rider

Fictional adventurer Allan Quatermain is recruited into a search and rescue party that leads into the great unknown of uncharted Africa, where entire civilizations are discovered and rumors of the location of King Solomon’s mines lead the team to one of the greatest adventures. throughout literature.

a river runs through it by norman maclean

While this is a collection of three stories, the title story garners the most attention as a love letter to the art of fly fishing, with metaphysical and philosophical questions taking root as you’re knee-deep in the Water. while technically fiction, like many of the other stories on this list, they are deeply rooted in the author’s own experiences. after its original publication 40 years ago, connecting fishing with life and philosophy became a common trope in pop culture.

the autobiography of malcolm x

malcolm x is one of the most controversial public figures of the civil rights movement. his autobiography shows how complex he was. in it we see his transformation from ignorance and despair to knowledge and spiritual awakening. his emphasis on the principle of self-sufficiency and the defense of his rights can resonate with all men, especially in turbulent political and social times.

the count of montecristo by alexander dumas

the ultimate story of betrayal and revenge. Edmund Dantes, days before marrying his beloved Mercedes, is brutally betrayed, arrested for treason, and consequently taken to a prison on an island off the French coast. the story goes on to tell of his escape from prison (don’t worry, it’s early in the novel and doesn’t mess anything up) and how he becomes rich and re-enters society as a polite and sophisticated earl. he plots revenge on him, his eyes claim his love, and ultimately… well, you’ll have to read it.

all quiet on the western front by erich maria remarque

Banned in Germany shortly after its publication, All Quiet on the Western Front is the sobering story of German soldiers in the trenches of World War I. we see the extreme physical and mental stress they felt during the war, as well as the detachment from civilian life that many of these soldiers experienced upon returning home. it was one of the first novels to describe the modern brutalities of battle and how technological advances had destroyed the heroic romanticism of war.

pride & jane austen bias

jane austen has a reputation as a “chick lit”, but her classic works are also worth reading and are enjoyable reading for men. It begins with Pride and Prejudice: The romance tells the story of the Bennet family, especially the second daughter Elizabeth. She faces mounting pressure to get married, and when she’s introduced to handsome, upper-class Mr. Darcy, sparks fly. however, as with all relationships, it’s not that simple, and no one appears to be who they appear to be on the outside. Austen’s wit, sarcasm, and observations on the hypocrisies of life make this book eminently readable and relatable.

sun tzu’s art of war

The Art of War remains the classic text on strategic warfare. written in the sixth century, it has since influenced military leaders, as well as businessmen and politicians, among others. its themes and ideas have been studied and re-studied for many centuries, and it would be well for a man in all walks of life to read the proverbs in the book from time to time as a refresher on tactical prowess.

live for plutarch

If you want to be a great man, you must learn from great men. One of the best ways to do this is through reading biographies. Plutarch’s massive collection, Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, profiles some of the greatest men in history up to that point and illuminates their shared strengths and weaknesses. his biography of Alexander the Great is especially compelling.

the bible

Despite being one of the most religious industrialized nations, America’s religious literacy is grossly impoverished. what’s the problem with that, you ask? well, half of the books on this list (probably more, actually) make biblical references that the reader must know to fully understand the message. If a Western man wants to understand the culture around him, he needs to have a deep understanding of one of the books that most influenced it. Beyond that, the Bible is full of ancient advice and advice that is applicable to any modern man, whether Jewish, Christian, or not religious at all.

lone dove by larry mcmurtry

lonely dove is possibly the best western novel ever written. The story follows two old friends on a cattle drive from the Rio Grande to Montana. Along the way they meet outlaws, Indians and old flames. Be careful, this book is a beast. but reading it (and rereading it) is definitely worth it. when you’re done, be sure to watch the miniseries.

after the virtue of alasdair macintyre

macintyre, a Scottish philosopher, argues that the language of virtue and a true understanding of morality have been lost to us in the modern age; as long as we think we know what morality is, we are simply playing with the fragmentary pieces that remain. the result is an irrational and unintelligible mess, where arguments about moral issues are strident and unresolvable. what is needed is a unity of virtues and a why—a shared ultimate goal of human life—as provided by Aristotelian philosophy. the book is heavy and deep, requiring several readings to begin to understand and extract the rich ideas. but once he does, he will reflect on it often as he watches the stagnation and entanglements of modern culture.

dashiell hammett’s maltese falcon

there is nothing better than a good hard police novel. and like any great work of the genre, moral ambiguities abound. Sam Spade, the main character, is a hardened and cynical private detective with his own code of ethics. he enters a con artist, a beautiful woman whose loyalties change in the blink of an eye, and a valuable missing falcon statue, and he’s set for a wonderful story.

to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

This perennially assigned school novel by Harper Lee is a classic for a reason. Six-year-old Scout and his older brother, Jem, spend their days riding bikes, spying on the neighbors, and hanging out with their friends. However, things in town get much more serious when his widowed father, Atticus, comes to defend a black man who has been accused of raping a white girl. Suddenly, the kids are thrust into a very grown-up world and lean on their dad to help put things in perspective.

the murderous angels of michael shaara

the murdering angels is a historical novel of the four days of the battle of gettysburg. recounts the bloody affair of the men who played a key role in it, told from various perspectives. Shaara tries to get into the minds of General Lee and Colonel Longstreet to decipher his thoughts and motivations before the fateful battle. love, fear, pride – we see all the emotions that a soldier and a leader can feel in the days leading up to and during the terrifying fight.

the autobiography of benjamin franklin

This autobiography is considered by many to be America’s first self-help book. In addition to sharing his life story, Franklin explains how one man can achieve success, much of it by sharing his own tactics. The story begins with Franklin as a child, walking around barefoot with muffins in his pocket, and ends as a successful businessman, scientist, and statesman. Interwoven are numerous tips on practical productivity and personal development.

the stories of herodotus

If we don’t learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it. Herodotus’s stories are considered the foundational work of history in Western literature and established the genre as we know it today. It serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures in West Asia, North Africa, and Greece. The founding fathers looked to history to learn from the mistakes the ancient Greeks made with democracy, not to repeat them.

from here to eternity by james jones

In this magnificent yet brutal classic of a soldier’s life, James Jones portrays the courage, violence and passions of men and women who live by unspoken codes and indescribable desperation. private robert e. Lee Prewitt is a welterweight champion and a good bugler, but he refuses to join the company’s boxing team. First Sergeant Milton Anthony Warden knows how to be a soldier better than anyone, but he’s risking his career to have an affair with the commanding officer’s wife. Hawaii may be paradise on the outside, but it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.

the thin red line of james jones

Fictional depiction of James Jones from the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II. The men of Charlie Company are about to land, gloomy and pale, on the Guadalcanal Atoll in the Pacific. as one reviewer noted: “this is his story, an incredibly realistic journey to hell and back.” some soldiers win medals, others do their best to be sent home before landing in a grave. and everyone discovers that there is a thin red line that divides the sane from the crazy.

zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by robert pirsig

Part memoir and part philosophy, zen dubiously holds the Guinness World Record for having been rejected by 121 publishers before being published and becoming a perennial bestseller. Published in 1974, it chronicles a father and son’s 17-day motorcycle trip from Minnesota to California. In the midst of this journey, our narrator (along with his son) explores various philosophical questions, the main theme of which is the meaning of quality and what good work really looks like in our modern world – ideas that still apply equally well 40+ years later.

raymond chandler’s long goodbye

The Long Goodbye is the final book in the Philip Marlowe detective series by Raymond Chandler. In it, Marlowe befriends a down-on-his-luck war veteran, Terry Lennox, with the scars to prove it. he then discovers that terry has a very rich wife, whom he divorced and remarried, and that she ends up dead. Now Lennox is on the run and the police are after Marlowe. Filled with mobsters and beautiful femme fatales, this is hard-boiled novel at its finest.

self-sufficiency & other essays by ralph waldo emerson

“self-reliance” contains the most prominent philosophy of ralph waldo emerson: the need for each individual to avoid conformity and personal inconsistencies, and follow their own instincts and ideas. you should trust yourself instead of following the ebbs and flows of the culture at large. Other essays in the collection focus on friendship, history, experience, and more.

ulysses by james joyce

This notoriously difficult novel recounts main character Leopold Bloom’s wandering dates and encounters in Dublin over the course of any given day, June 16, 1904. Ulysses is the Latinized version of Odysseus, the famous Homeric hero , and joyce makes a connection between the characters and the experiences of the two. using stream of consciousness writing and lots of puns and allusions, it’s almost guaranteed that she won’t fully understand it on the first reading. do your best and get ahead.

the master and margarita by mikhail bulgakov

There is nothing more manly than a fight with the devil. Mikhail Bulgakov wrote this entertaining commentary on the social bureaucracy in Moscow during the height of Stalin’s reign. Lucifer himself visits the godless city to clear up people’s skepticism regarding the spirit realm. The novel also visits ancient Jerusalem under the rule of Pontius Pilate. even for the non-religious, this book will give them much to think about.

the road by cormac mccarthy

Some have called the road a love story between father and son, and nothing could describe it better. the book powerfully puts the beauty and pain of fatherhood into stark perspective, revealing fatherly love intensely close to the bone. An anonymous father and his son pilgrimage through bleak, ashen, post-apocalyptic America, pushing a shopping cart of their supplies and perpetually searching for their next meal. While the father looks after the “bad boys” (savage tribes of baby-eating men that roam the landscape), he teaches his son to remain one of the good guys, to always carry the fire.

the steppe wolf by herman hesse

steppenwolf, one of herman hesse’s best-known works, follows a sad and lonely intellectual for whom life brings no joy. Harry Haller has within him both a rational man and a wild primeval wolf, and he has trouble reconciling these two natures. But then he meets a slippery, carefree woman, Hermine, who shows him that life’s pleasures aren’t necessarily as empty as he once believed.

christine de pizan’s book of facts on arms and chivalry

In any age, you wouldn’t necessarily expect a book about war to come from a woman’s pen. She may be even more surprised to learn that a woman named Christine de Pizan wrote and published such a manual in the early 15th century. It conveys a lot about the strategy, tactics, and technological advances of medieval warfare. includes important source material on early gunpowder weapons, as well as many thoughts on just warfare. a classic that just doesn’t get much attention, the book of chivalry and arms facts deserves a spot on your bookshelf.

don quixote by miguel de cervantes

It’s all very well to be a dreamer, but a man must also be grounded in reality. It is a lesson that Don Quixote comes to learn in the 17th-century book of the same name, which is widely considered the world’s first novel. quixote, along with his squire sancho panza, travels the world in search of great adventures and feats that would earn him the title of knight. he continues against all odds, and in some cases, against all common sense. it’s funny, surprisingly easy to read given that it’s over 400 years old, and can teach a man many lessons about aspiring to heroism.

ralph ellison’s invisible man

the story of a nameless black man in new york city who grows up in the south, but moves north to be part of the brotherhood, a society that supposedly fights for justice and equality. However, he soon realizes the political motivations behind the move and withdraws in an attempt to discover who he is as a black man in white America. a novel about race, identity, acceptance and being comfortable with who you are – it’s a book everyone should read.

the adventures of huckleberry finn by mark twain

A classic American work, Huck Finn is often required reading in high school, and for good reason. One of the first books written in the vernacular (that is, with the language of a particular region), it can be seen as a biting satire of the antebellum South or a coming-of-age story for young Huck Finn. Finn, a white boy, joins fugitive adult slave Jim as they flee by raft down the Mississippi River and embark on many adventures together.

leviathan by thomas hobbes

Written during the English Civil War of the mid-17th century, Hobbes’s work is one of the leading authorities on political theory. the main concern of the book is the centralized power of the existing sovereign state to maintain order and peace. How is society going to be structured? How are the people going to be governed? is an influential example of social contract theory, which states that individuals, simply by being part of a society, agree to give up some rights in order to keep others. In our modern political turmoil, any classic work on social theory is worth reading for further perspective.

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

The central work of Aristotle’s thoughts on ethics, details how a man should best live. the topics covered are virtue, right actions and the specific qualities that men should pursue, such as courage, justice, magnanimity, temperance, etc., a classic philosophical work that every man should understand.

cyrano de bergerac by edmond rostand

This 1897 play follows the French cadet Cyrano de Bergerac. he is a poet, musician, and skilled swordsman, a true renaissance man. Unfortunately, Cyrano has a tragically large nose, which makes it hard to trust him to the point that he cannot profess his feelings to Roxane and feels that he is not worthy of anyone’s love. what is a man to do in such a situation? he reads and find out.

william manchester’s last lion trilogy

Possibly the best biography you’ve ever read. Epic in scale (over 3,000 pages divided into 3 volumes), Manchester takes you on an enjoyable and uplifting journey through the legendary life of Winston Churchill. it’s hard to call any biography a page turner as you know what happens but the last lion is terrifyingly close. Tragically, Manchester died before he could finish the last volume, and another author stepped in to complete it. therefore, the third volume falls a bit short of the first two, but they are all worth reading.

the nudes and the dead by norman mailer

Like many World War II novels written in the late 1940s and 1950s, The Naked and the Dead draws much from author Norman Mailer’s own experiences as a soldier in the Philippines. The story centers on US troops trying to drive the Japanese off a fictional South Pacific island so they can advance on the Philippines. Between the character dialogue and the “time machine” sections that focus on the soldiers’ backstories, we get a realistic take on being an American warrior in the peaceful campaign of World War II. As with most novels of the time, he is generally not a pretty picture.

this boy’s life by tobias wolff

a classic memoir of adolescence and growing up without a father present. Author Tobias Wolff’s parents divorce and he ends up in his mother’s custody, traveling across the country and on the go. They develop a very close relationship, but Wolff also has to struggle to create his own identity and self-esteem when a new stepfather enters the scene. Between adolescent frustrations and schemes, he finds a path to self-invention that ultimately changes his life.

gary paulsen ax

The basic plot is as follows: An urban teenager named Brian Robeson crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness while flying in a plane. the pilot dies and the boy lives. Alone in the wild, Brian must learn to survive in the wild for 54 days with nothing but an axe. there are no real twists and turns, but the lessons a man can learn about survival and self-sufficiency are just as enjoyable and instructive for boys as they are for grown men.

resilience by eric greitens

resilience is a series of letters between now missouri governor-elect eric greitens and a friend of the seal who was going through a difficult time in his life after returning home from service and battling alcoholism, job loss and post-traumatic stress disorder. greitens draws on his background in his philosophy to provide his friend with ideas and advice on how to build resilience in the face of adversity. This is a book that should be read, reread, and reread by anyone who needs a little more resiliency in their life. in other words, everyone.

tarzan of the apes by edgar rice burroughs

The timeless title character, introduced here for the first time, inspired more than twenty sequels and several feature films. Raised by gorillas, Tarzan searches for the truth of his origins and finds himself at odds with the gorilla king who murdered his father. In Tarzan, Edgar Rice Burroughs captures well the wild yearnings and primal abilities typically hidden beneath the trappings of civilization.

thus spoke zarathustra of friedrich nietzsche

god is dead. the Ubermensch. eternal return. will to power. Many of Friedrich Nietzsche’s best-known and controversial ideas are explored in this philosophical novel that follows a fictional wandering prophet named Zarathustra (named for the founder of Zoroastrianism). Through Zarathustra, Nietzsche attacks modern philosophy and morality and provides a philosophical framework for dealing with life in a post-religious world. Whether you are a believer or not, if you want to understand today’s cultural environment, this is a must read.

the federalist papers

Composed of 85 articles, the Federalist Papers served to explain and encourage the ratification of the United States. Constitution. Most of the essays were written by Alexander Hamilton and originally published in The Independent Magazine and The New York Packet. while the constitution lays down the laws of the land, these essays provide the 18th century version of the ballots/blue books we receive in the mail at election time, explaining the laws being proposed. is essential reading for any civic-minded American (which every American should be!).

the godfather of mario puzo

While the famous movies are more acclaimed, the book is a masterpiece in its own right. Author Mario Puzo shows us the good and bad sides of family and community loyalty. while the corleone obviously do some really bad things, they are a group of guys who are good at being men. they protect their family at all costs, are extraordinarily generous to those in their inner circle, and never stop fighting. It’s also a very entertaining read.

moby dick by herman melville

the book that inspired thousands of white whale metaphors and really needs no description. However, here’s a brief one: Moby-Dick is Herman Melville’s 19th-century masterpiece about whaling captain Ahab’s insatiable quest to get revenge on the great white whale that crippled him, as told by Ishmael, a sailor aboard the ahab’s boat Plus, it’s inspired by a true story, which makes it even more amazing.

mary shelley’s frankenstein

This short but ever-popular tale is a young woman’s take on humanity and horror. Mary Shelley was only 21 years old when Frankenstein was first published in 1818, and the book is widely considered the first popular science fiction/horror novel. While you surely know the monster and the mad scientist Victor Frankenstein story that brought it to life, it is a much darker and more philosophical book than pop culture has made it out to be. you learn about science, ego, pride, and ultimately what it means to be human.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

every man needs to read some shakespeare during his life. Hamlet is a great place to start. you know the line: “to be or not to be”, but do you know the context and the real meaning behind it? doubtful. The Cliff Notes introduction to the story: Prince Hamlet is called home from school to attend his father’s funeral, and is shocked to learn that his mother has already remarried. The queen has married Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, her father’s brother. And what’s worse, Claudius has crowned himself king even though Hamlet was destined to be the heir to the throne. Hamlet suspects foul play. *dramatic music signal*

a tale of two cities by charles dickens

Novels should be part of every man’s reading life, and a tale of two cities is a good start. It is set in London and Paris during the French Revolution and depicts the plight of the French peasantry, their turn to violence towards the aristocrats who marginalized them, and the parallels to London society during the same period.

richard yachts revolutionary path

This is the story of a marriage. The Wheelers appear to be a model suburban couple in the 1950s. But did they get married too young? and start a family too soon? frank’s job is boring and april never saw herself as a housewife. Beneath the placid surface, these two self-absorbed partners struggle with the desire to escape and become their true selves, unable to find happiness with their ordinary lives as they are. something has to give.

the divine comedy of dante alighieri

This 14th-century epic poem by Dante Alighieri offers an immersion in his unique vision of the afterlife. Dante travels through hell, purgatory, and paradise (or heaven) and gives glimpses of what he sees. allegorically, he also serves to represent man’s journey to god and the various stages he passes through along that journey. this work is to be read if only for the cultural literacy of knowing where many of our modern conceptions of heaven and hell come from.

roger kahn’s summer boys

What’s a man’s library without some literature on America’s favorite pastime? Dubbed “The Greatest American Book on Sports,” The Boys of Summer is an account of the Brooklyn Dodgers before their 1955 World Series title. Kahn’s description of some of the game’s greatest legends, such as Gil Hodges and Duke Snyder, is inspiring enough to make a man wait for another shot on the diamond and join a local softball team. don’t say we didn’t warn you.

a separated peace by john knowles

Set in a boys’ prep school on the eve of World War II, A Separate Peace centers on the friendship of Phineas and Gene. Phineas’ seeming perfection creates a jealous gene, resulting in a tragedy that will change both of their lives forever. a penetrating look at both the light and the shadows of friendship and humanity. all children wish they were small, but they know that it is more like a gene. this book will stay with you no matter your age.

the stranger of albert camus

perhaps the most popular piece of “existential” literature of the 20th century. Frenchman Meursault attends his mother’s funeral and, through a series of events, becomes involved in a senseless murder. The Stranger tackles murder and remorse (or lack thereof), God and atheism, fate and justice, and the absurdity of life. you’ll come away remembering much more than just plot points.

robinson crusoe by daniel defoe

robinson crusoe is the “autobiography” of a castaway who spent 30 years on a remote tropical island. he encounters difficult terrain, unfriendly natives, and a variety of other obstacles. It was so realistically described and written (Robinson Crusoe’s name was even listed as the author) that many people thought it was true events rather than a novel from the mind of Daniel Defoe. almost 300 years later, it still stands.

the 7 habits of highly successful people by stephen covey

This book has been a bestseller for nearly three decades, and for good reason. not only explains the importance of living your life with a purpose, but also provides tools to help you achieve it. The planning and goal-setting methods laid out in Covey’s most celebrated work have been used by countless world leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers, as well as millions of ordinary people whose lives have been changed by implementing the 7 Habits. they include the team of the art of masculinity among them. be sure to listen to my podcast with stephen’s son.

row of preserves by john steinbeck

Regardless of his class or situation in life, a man needs a healthy appreciation for the simple people who help keep the world going. John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row represents a cross-section of this community, located on a strip of sardine canneries in the late depression era. this area has a life of its own, and is as much a character in the book as any of the members of the community. the novel not only paints a picture of a difficult time that has passed, but offers an honest and timeless view of the human condition.

robert louis stevenson’s treasure island

Virtually everything we think of when we think of pirates comes not from the pages of history, but from this book: treasure maps with an “x” marking the spot, desert islands, peg legs, parrots, and more. Published as a children’s (and rather adult) story, American novelist Henry James praised it as “perfect as a children’s game well played.”

a confederation of fools by john kennedy toole

This new orleans-based novel earned author john kennedy toole the pulitzer prize. his perfect comedy of errors centers on the character of ignatius j. Reilly, a lazy and socially ignorant but highly intelligent man, still living with his mother at the age of 30. a confederation of fools serves as a guide to what a man should not be, while providing sound entertainment throughout.

native son of richard wright

this novel tells the story of bigor thomas, a 20-year-old african-american young man living in abject poverty on the south side of chicago in the 1930s. he, inevitably (as argued in the novel), ends up in jail for a crime he actually committed. Was it his character that pushed him to it, however, or was it society, placing him in a certain social stratum? race, identity, social status, pressures from society: this novel offers an important read on the black experience.

paul theroux’s grand railway bazaar

In this travelogue, Paul Theroux recounts his 4-month journey through Europe, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia on the continent’s legendary trains: the Orient Express, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Mandalay Express and the trans-siberian express. his well-documented and entertaining adventures have come to be considered a classic in the genre of travel writing. this journal satisfies the vicarious traveler and inspires the adventurous man.

the last of the mohicans by james fenimore cooper

The Last of the Mohicans was the second book in Cooper’s pentalogy of Leather Tales and is set in 1757 during the French and Indian War. the French were particularly dependent on Native Americans for help in the fight. Set primarily in the New York desert, the two daughters of a colonel, Alice and Cora, must be transported to a safe destination. Among the caravan guarding the women is a group of frontiersmen and Indians, including Chingachgook (the last chief of the Mohicans) and Uncas. the characterization of these protagonists would become an enduring part of the frontiersman and indigenous archetypes that remain in popular consciousness today.

the grapes of wrath by john steinbeck

One of the great American novels, The Grapes of Wrath is set in the Midwest of the Dust Bowl era. Forced to relocate, the Joad family drives west with thousands of down-on-his-luck Okies to try to find a better life for themselves in California. There is perhaps no better snapshot of this time period in American history than Steinbeck’s masterpiece. also, the final scene will accompany you for a long time.

education of a wandering man by louis l’amour

Western writer Louis L’Amour was one of the most prolific authors of all time, with more than 100 published works (all of which were still in print when he died in 1988). The Education of a Wandering Man is his autobiography, which could also be called a love letter to learning. he left school at age 15 to tour the world. His diverse experiences include: bum on the railways, texas cattle skinner, sailor in singapore and the west indies, itinerant bare-knuckle boxer and more. despite everything, he taught himself to read and write, and was never far from a book. inspiring as they all come out, l’amour’s example will make you wonder what the hell you’re doing with all your free time.

les miserables by victor hugo

one of the great musicals of all time, les miserables was first a great novel. Ex-con Jean Valjean tries to pull himself together after being released from prison and seeks revenge on the forces that put him there in the first place. Through a large cast of memorable characters and the French Revolution in the background, author Victor Hugo takes us on a continuing epic that will likely leave you exhausted, if hopeful, when it’s over.

man’s search for meaning by viktor frankl

viktor frankl was a psychotherapist and neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of depression, but being a jew in nazi germany, he was sent to auschwitz. upon entering the concentration camp, his last belongings were taken from him, including his clothes, his wedding ring, and the manuscript of a book he was writing. Drawing on his rich inner life and helping other inmates, along with a few strokes of good luck, he lived to tell his story, which is a lesson in the control one has to make a bad situation not necessarily good, but survivable. It will surely put his own suffering into perspective and inspire him to live with greater purpose.

the outsiders by s. me. track

published when the author s. me. hinton was just 18 years old, the outsiders is the story of two rival gangs, the greasers and the socs, who are divided by socioeconomic status. is a classic coming-of-age tale and set the stage for the young adult genre as we know it today. Although the characters in the story are only teenagers, there is much to learn about family, honor, sacrifice, and class dynamics.

one hundred years of solitude by gabriel garcia marquez

Often called the masterpiece of Spanish literature, One Hundred Years of Solitude is an epic family story that tells the story of the fall, birth, and death of the town of Macondo. Márquez introduces us to seven generations of good days, whose patriarch founded the town. however, the family cannot escape their usual misfortunes. Will history repeat itself or will the Buendias be able to free themselves from their family’s history?

doors of fire by stephen pressfield

a fictional account of the 300 Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae, which pitted a few thousand Greek men against at least 100,000 Persians. In Gates of Fire, we see the battle through the eyes of a warrior named Xeons. we learn about Spartan life, training, discipline, battle strategy, courage… and much, much more. reading it will fill you with manly thumos.

paradise lost by john milton

paradise lost is an epic poem that narrates in verse the biblical story of the fall of man: the temptation of adam and eve, the role of satan and their expulsion from the garden of eden. However, instead of retelling what is in the Bible, author John Milton explores and imagines the possible backstory. what was going on behind the scenes in the heavenly kingdom, how did adam and eve react to their sin, what did it feel like to be expelled from the garden? of paradise?

fahrenheit 451 by ray bradbury

Author Ray Bradbury takes readers into a dystopian future where books are banned and firefighters must destroy everything they find. Fireman Guy Montag is our main character, and every day he is tasked with setting fire to printed literature. at the end of the day, he returns to his home and family, where television is central to his bland existence. Even in the 1950s, Bradbury was concerned about the effect that television and other forms of mass media would have on humanity’s relationship with books and literature. still relevant? you can bet your ass it is.

oil! by upton sinclair

upton sinclair’s novel about the oil industry of the 1920s should be read if only because it inspired one of the greatest movies of this century, there will be blood. The book is told through the eyes of Bunny, the son of an oil tycoon. his sympathies towards the oil field workers and his socialist leanings create much discord with the dear father. what sinclair’s the jungle did for the meatpacking industry, this book did for oil.

fear and trembling by soren kierkegaard

philosopher soren kierkegaard creates a case study of the (in)famous biblical story of abraham being commanded by god to sacrifice his son isaac. he uses the story as an opportunity to question the relationship of philosophy to religion, along with the nature of god, the relationship of faith to ethics and morals, and the difficulty of being authentically religious. he asks the great questions with which every man must struggle throughout life.

the waller newell man code

what does it mean to be a man, not only biologically, but also philosophically? Waller Newell presents one of the most convincing answers to the question of how a man should live in this book. he argues that many modern men have lost touch with the values and virtues that defined masculinity for thousands of years and consequently feel lost, confused, and angry. Newell believes that the road to recovery is taken along the five paths to manhood: love, courage, pride, family, and country. Using Western writers and thinkers such as Aristotle and Hemingway, among others, Newell offers important guidance on the path to achieving a “manly heart.”

heart of darkness by joseph conrad

Joseph Conrad’s novel is the story of a man named Marlow who travels up the Congo River in the heart of Africa. In telling the story, Conrad compares the “savages” of Africa to the so-called “civilized” people of London. is there really much difference? the issues of race, barbarism, colonialism and first world society are central.

Marcus Aurelius meditations

Ryan Holiday’s description of the meditations in his list of 36 books every ambitious young man should read can’t be much better: “I would say this is the best book ever written. is the definitive text on self-discipline, personal ethics, humility, self-actualization, and fortitude. Bill Clinton reads it every year, as do many other leaders, statesmen, and soldiers. is a book written by one of the most powerful men who ever lived on the lessons that power, responsibility and philosophy teach us. this book will make you a better person and you will be better able to manage the success you want.”

the hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. tolkien

These four books are listed as one, because they are really one epic story. you’ve no doubt seen the movies, which are great, but the books are even better. Follow Frodo Baggins and his faithful friend Samwise Gamgee and learn about friendship, loyalty, dedication to a good cause and many other manly virtues. You will also find one of the wisest characters in literature in Gandalf. j.r.r. Tolkien had one of the greatest imaginations in the history of literature and created an entire universe, complete with new languages, maps of various lands, and even stories of how these lands came to be. No other author has come close to Tolkien’s world-building capabilities, which alone makes the series worth reading.

with the ancient race of eugene sledge

You may think you understand the gritty nature of Pacific warfare, but until you read with the ancient race, you won’t fully understand all of its horrors. With rich and haunting prose, Sledge takes you right into the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa and lets you experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the nightmarish scenes on a very visceral level. this is hands down one of the best books on the war, period, and is a must read for all Americans who want to fully understand the sacrifices their ancestors made for them.

self control: his royalty and majesty by william george jordan

The beginning of the 20th century was the golden age of personal development books. In contrast to today’s self-help books, which are full of flattering, empty, and clichéd platitudes, they are direct, masterfully written, and full of deep and challenging insights that focus on developing good character. Even in this golden age, one author remains supreme: William George Jordan. His Self-Control: His royalty and majesty has been the source of many of our most popular avocations, and it’s full of beautifully written wisdom on self-reliance, calmness, gratitude, and more.

Be sure to listen to our podcast with Jim Mustich on the 1000 Books You Think You Should Read Before You Die: