10 Books for every men should read
1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here is a classic that you’ve definitely heard of. The writing is impeccable and the characters are unforgettable. You will find lessons on what it means to be a man, how it feels to be too free, what happens when you relive the past, and how all that glitters is not necessarily worth pursuing.
2. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
This book dates back to the 1500s and its message continues to inspire and horrify people today. This book is all about how to get power and keep it, and it does not shy away from recommending unethical and immoral tactics. Any man driven to seek power would do well to understand how brutal the quest can be. This manual offers a cold, hard look at what it costs to climb to the top.
3. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
In this historical novel set during the time of the Gold Rush, London manages to create a story that explores wildness and tameness, two conditions that modern men both crave and reject. The unlikely main character is a dog living between the wild and the world of men. The rugged natural backdrop and plot transport you to a place where the battle for gold was rivaled only by the fight to survive the harsh natural forces of the Yukon.
4. Roman Honor: The Fire in the Bones by Carlin Barton
Barton's book offers a fascinating, deeply researched look at the role of honor in the culture and life of ancient Rome. She sees honor as a survival skill for the group and looks at how honor can be lost or given away. Part social commentary, part psychology, and part historical overview, this is a brilliant book for any man interested in reading more about the Roman empire and discovering the meaning and power of honor.
5. The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
Kerouac is well-known for his masterpiece On the Road, but this book was also influential for many. The story is a quest for truth in life, with many detours through cities and mountains via hitchhiking and jazz clubs. This book has been credited with having a strong influence on the 1960s Hippie counterculture. Dive into this one to see what you find.6. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
For this biography, the author did more than 40 interviews with Jobs himself, and then interviewed his family, friends, and business associates. The fierceness of Steve Jobs' personality lights up the book, and his remarkable achievements will make you think you should get up earlier tomorrow morning. This book will open your eyes to the world of an untamed genius.
7. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Based on a true story about a man who wanted to leave his wealthy family behind and face the elements in nature, this book takes readers out of the city and straight into the wild. With little planning and less money, the main character ends up deep in Alaska. The insights gained along the way make this a book worth reading and have kept it firmly on the shelf with other great American classics.8. 1984 by George Orwell
The granddaddy of dystopian novels, 1984 is Orwell's warning to society about the dangers of dictators and unquestioned rulers. In Orwell’s world, being a rebel is the only honorable way out from under society's heavy hand. This is at once a frightening adventure, a thoughtful look at what harm blind faith can do, and continues to unsettle readers with its relevance to modern life.
9. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Though 1984 is more well-known, this book explores a similarly dystopian future where emotionless people serve their rulers without question. The book is an acidic commentary on our willingness to give up our individuality to serve an order we don't understand, and explores themes of love, drugs, and class.
10. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
This revolutionary book views history not from the vantage point of the wealthy and powerful, but through the eyes of workers, women, and minorities. Today's ongoing battles over wage equality, minimum wage, work safety, voting rights, and the right to be healthy make this book as relevant today as when it was written.
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