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The Man's Book
Designed to help in any awkward situation, this book provides a number of tips and hints for witty repartee down the pub, including why it's better to have an older mistress and the 85 ways to tie a tie. All this is explained in a systematic and intelligent way, with facts, figures, diagrams and tables.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 8, 2009
Thomas Fink’s The Man’s Book is indeed an essential guide for any modern man. Split into broad subject topics, Fink informs men on everything they should know about health, sports/games, women, dress, outdoors, drinking, smoking, cooking, idling, and arts and sciences. Among the numerous topics, a man will learn the benefits of a wet shave versus a dry shave, how to cook a steak, the right wine to serve for any occasion, what suit to wear and when to wear it, what to stock in a kitchen, the equation for the perfect age of a potential bride, how to make a potato gun, and everything one needs to know about the man-of-men James Bond. If you would like to know Morse Code, it is in there. Curious about a few of the best cocktails? You will find them in The Man’s Book. Need to make an origami wallet? Fink shows you how. And if you are having a hard time becoming a modern media man, you can follow the guidelines of the essential books and movies for any male.
There is a lot of humor found in The Man's Book. Fink doesn't approach the topic of manliness and masculinity without a few jokes. I got a good laugh out of the urinal position chart. And the picture guide of beard styles? I laughed out loud, I'll admit. You need to be able to see the humor in being a man or dealing with men to thoroughly enjoy The Man's Book. You will learn everything you want and need to know about quite a few things, so you will miss out if you take life too seriously and put down the book.
It is true that I am not a male and therefore don’t need a guide to become the perfect modern male. But let’s be honest here… most men are never going to learn all of these things for themselves and will thus never know what a man should know. Right? It is just as essential for a woman to know this information as it is for any man because she can-- and most likely will-- help guide him in the right direction. She can make sure he has the right suits, the right tools of hygiene, and the right liquors in the cabinets.
Some of the information is even gender neutral. For example, women love beer and sports and chili, too! Even women need to know about wines and men's clothing and essential spices. It's not like this sort of stuff is born into women. We need a guide for these things as much as a man. As I read The Man's Book, I learned a lot that I can and will use in the future. I knew nothing about wine until now, for example. And I learned all of this with a laugh. The Man's Book is clear and to the point, but not a dry read. I think that The Man's Book is a great reference for anyone to have on their shelf. I am keeping my copy on an easy to reach shelf just in case my boyfriend needs to know what to wear or I need to know which wine to serve with my meal.
There is a lot of humor found in The Man's Book. Fink doesn't approach the topic of manliness and masculinity without a few jokes. I got a good laugh out of the urinal position chart. And the picture guide of beard styles? I laughed out loud, I'll admit. You need to be able to see the humor in being a man or dealing with men to thoroughly enjoy The Man's Book. You will learn everything you want and need to know about quite a few things, so you will miss out if you take life too seriously and put down the book.
It is true that I am not a male and therefore don’t need a guide to become the perfect modern male. But let’s be honest here… most men are never going to learn all of these things for themselves and will thus never know what a man should know. Right? It is just as essential for a woman to know this information as it is for any man because she can-- and most likely will-- help guide him in the right direction. She can make sure he has the right suits, the right tools of hygiene, and the right liquors in the cabinets.
Some of the information is even gender neutral. For example, women love beer and sports and chili, too! Even women need to know about wines and men's clothing and essential spices. It's not like this sort of stuff is born into women. We need a guide for these things as much as a man. As I read The Man's Book, I learned a lot that I can and will use in the future. I knew nothing about wine until now, for example. And I learned all of this with a laugh. The Man's Book is clear and to the point, but not a dry read. I think that The Man's Book is a great reference for anyone to have on their shelf. I am keeping my copy on an easy to reach shelf just in case my boyfriend needs to know what to wear or I need to know which wine to serve with my meal.
November 17, 2019
Possibly the worst book I've ever read.
Other than a small entertaining page on urinal etiquette, the rest of the book is unoriginal, out of date and condescending.
You get the impression the author thinks to be a gentleman is to have money and without money one cannot be a gentleman.
Without touching on the glamourisation and importance of smoking in the book, it is just a collection of the author's opinions presented as fact, with no real consensus from anywhere else.
Perhaps I have misjudged the tone of the book and the author is subtlety satirising the pompous opinions of a portion of the upper classes, but I suspect not. Could have some entertaining sections to flick through in the space of an hour if bought very cheaply but on the whole I suspect will not be worth your time.
Other than a small entertaining page on urinal etiquette, the rest of the book is unoriginal, out of date and condescending.
You get the impression the author thinks to be a gentleman is to have money and without money one cannot be a gentleman.
Without touching on the glamourisation and importance of smoking in the book, it is just a collection of the author's opinions presented as fact, with no real consensus from anywhere else.
Perhaps I have misjudged the tone of the book and the author is subtlety satirising the pompous opinions of a portion of the upper classes, but I suspect not. Could have some entertaining sections to flick through in the space of an hour if bought very cheaply but on the whole I suspect will not be worth your time.
February 5, 2015
Fabulous!
The ONLY reason I am not giving this five stars is that the print is a little too small to be comfortable to read.
How to select a urinal.
How to tie a bowtie.
The formula for how many clothes to take on a trip.
Umbrella rhythms
Circumcision ... ;)
The ONLY reason I am not giving this five stars is that the print is a little too small to be comfortable to read.
How to select a urinal.
How to tie a bowtie.
The formula for how many clothes to take on a trip.
Umbrella rhythms
Circumcision ... ;)
May 12, 2018
a very funny book, and a very realistic one. It includes fun facts, pop culture quotes, trivia, and a very interesting description on what it takes to be a modern man
March 8, 2017
Much of this is out of date and much of it is just plain rubbish disproved with 2 minutes on google what remains is mostly the author's own opinion given as fact.
March 9, 2008
This is an amazing study of the modern Man. It’s as eloquent as the books most desirable example, the epitome of man, James Bond. The British undertones of the subjects imply strictness and sensibility, mixed with the writing style, which allow a peculiar humor to surface.
The book has no story, which it does not need. It’s as simple as an instruction booklet, yet, I found, the very content in the book to be borderline taboo. To some this book may come as self revealing, as if the nature of surrendering this information has been forbidden for generations.
The book has no story, which it does not need. It’s as simple as an instruction booklet, yet, I found, the very content in the book to be borderline taboo. To some this book may come as self revealing, as if the nature of surrendering this information has been forbidden for generations.
June 28, 2023
A personal opinion
An enjoyable read. The 'guidelines' given in it are rather humorous observations and theories. A nice option as a break from heavy books. I think that, regardless of gender, it can be confidently read. For men, it is interesting that our everyday, even sometimes pointless habits have their supporters elsewhere. For women, as a subjective verification of the theories contained at least in the chapters on pick-up, I think it can also be an enjoyable read.
An enjoyable read. The 'guidelines' given in it are rather humorous observations and theories. A nice option as a break from heavy books. I think that, regardless of gender, it can be confidently read. For men, it is interesting that our everyday, even sometimes pointless habits have their supporters elsewhere. For women, as a subjective verification of the theories contained at least in the chapters on pick-up, I think it can also be an enjoyable read.
April 7, 2009
the sort of book i wish I'd had when i was 16, but still useful now. how to drink, smoke, dress and generally act with a modicum of taste. surprisingly geekish with matchs and diagrams for many activities such as tying ties, and how to pick the right urinal in the gents when one or more are occupied. These things matter!
June 23, 2009
Do you know how to tie a bow tie, mix a martini, or make a potato gun? Do you know when to flatter a woman, or where to stand in the men's room? Do you know how to build a tree house, carve a turkey, or start a fire with a soda can?
Let a theoretical physicist (Caltech, Cambridge) tell you how. Step 1: just as a real man would, don't take yourself so goddamn seriously, old sport!
Let a theoretical physicist (Caltech, Cambridge) tell you how. Step 1: just as a real man would, don't take yourself so goddamn seriously, old sport!
December 12, 2009
The Man’s Book is a great little book. I found a wealth of information, lots of it useful hints. Chapters include:
health
sports and games
women
dress
outdoors
drinking
smoking (! editorial exclamation from Dawn)
cooking
idling
arts and sciences
almanac
The Man’s Book is fun reading, and a good reference to add to the shelf.
health
sports and games
women
dress
outdoors
drinking
smoking (! editorial exclamation from Dawn)
cooking
idling
arts and sciences
almanac
The Man’s Book is fun reading, and a good reference to add to the shelf.
January 17, 2008
Won't change your life, but might help you pick up a decent shirt or cook a steak.
March 17, 2014
Useful know how on dress and etiquette for the British male (with quite a bit about James Bond and Ian Fleming). Recommended!
Read
May 21, 2014Page 229 is a must read.
December 20, 2015
One of the best books I've read in my life. Have read it countless times. A must-have for every man. Tons of subjects! I highly suggest it!!!
May 16, 2016
A great guide to many "generally man things" the authors paternal/fraternal tone is at best old timey masculine and at worst borderline misogynistic.
May 2, 2016
I read this in high school and found it both entertaining and informative. Fink's explanation for why chili is the best man food still convinces me.
February 8, 2014
I was entertained.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews