HOW TO BE A MAN (Illustrated): A Book for Boys, Containing Useful Hints on the Formation of Character.

by Harvey Newcomb

This book is for every boy about to be a Man. It is not just a book but a guide. Not just a guide but a tool every new young gentleman needs to have in his bookshelf. Harvey Newcomb shows boys and young men how to live a good life with perceptive clarifications on spirituality, family, community, and work. This book will place you on the right path to deal the unavoidable challenges every man faces at his early manhood. CONTENTS ON CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH NATURE AND OBJECTS OF EDUCATION PIETY, AS THE SPRING OF ACTION, AND REGULATOR OF THE SOUL FILIAL PIETY TREATMENT OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND OTHERS IN THE FAMILY. BEHAVIOR AT SCHOOL BEHAVIOR AT TABLE BEHAVIOR AT FAMILY WORSHIP PRIVATE PRAYER KEEPING THE SABBATH HABITS EDUCATION OF THE BODY ON USEFUL LABOR EDUCATION OF THE HEART EDUCATION OF THE MIND READING WRITING INDOLENCE ON DOING ONE THING AT A TIME ON FINISHING WHAT IS BEGUN CHOICE OF SOCIETY, AND FORMATION OF FRIENDSHIPS BAD COMPANY. -MISCHIEVOUSNESS ON AMUSEMENTS GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE ON THE ART OF AGREEABLE AND PROFITABLE CONVERSATION INQUISITIVENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ABLE TO SAY NO. ON BEING USEFUL ON BEING CONTENTED. UNION OF SERIOUS PIETY WITH HABITUAL CHEERFULNESS. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Obvious printer's errors corrected. Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings, non-standard punctuation, inconsistently hyphenated words, and other inconsistencies. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1847

About the author

From wikipedia:

Harvey Newcomb (September 2, 1803 – August 30, 1863) was an American clergyman and writer.

He was born in Thetford, Vermont. He removed to western New York in 1818, engaged in teaching for eight years, and from 1826 till 1831 edited several journals, of which the last was the Christian Herald.

For the ten following years he was engaged in writing and preparing books for the American Sunday School Union. He was licensed to preach in 1840, took charge of a Congregational church in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and subsequently held other pastorates.

He was an editor of the Boston Traveller in 1849, and in 1850-1 assistant editor of the New York Observer, also preaching in the Park Street mission church of Brooklyn, New York, and in 1859 he became pastor of a church in Hancock, Pennsylvania. He contributed regularly to the Boston Recorder and to the Youth's Companion, and also to religious journals. He wrote 178 volumes, of which fourteen are on church history, the others being chiefly books for children, including Young Lady's Guide (New York, 1839); How to be a Man (Boston, 1846); How to be a Lady (1846); and Cyclopedia of Missions (1854; 4th ed., 1856). He also was the author of Manners and Customs of the North American Indians (2 vols., Pittsburgh, 1835).

He died in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Dan Zhukovin]

Somewhat obsolete, but eye-opening

This book saved my sanity and gave me good direction in life. Definitely an essential book for someone who wants to learn the real deal of how to answer life, and the future. Excellent self-improvement material and honestly it’s not overly in poor taste or overly demanding.

[Rex Libris]

Written in 1857, this book was a guide on how young men should behave in order to grow up to be proper adults. The core traits to a good life for the author are piety, reverence, and prayer. From there flow the rest of the virtues.

[Rusten]

Great book from an older time. Many young men would benefit from gleaning Christian wisdom here.

[Stephanie]

I read this one with Will. It’s definitely old school, but still a lot of good to glean.

[Adam]

Fantastic book, really insightful book on how to build character in young men.
Felt like the Boy Scout manual with a Christian twist.
He doesn't say "do this because it's good for you" or "because we said so" or "because you should."
He teaches you why each little good habit you should form is critical to your development as a functioning, honorable, whole person, as a servant and leader of your community.
For those who would judge, it is also not sexist.