Who Should Read "Man Stuff"?

I recently published my book Man Stuff: Things a Young Man Needs to Know. I have often been asked who should read the book.

Man Stuff includes advice on interpersonal relationships, manners, body care, leaderships, digital etiquette, dressing for success and other critical skills that are essential for a young man.

I have discussed all of these topics with sixth through eighth grade young men at weekly meetings of the Explorers Club during the Man Stuff segment of the meetings. It would not be an overstatement to say that they truly enjoy these segments.

I do not believe, however, that the audience is limited to adolescent young men. Former Explorers club members have expressed an interest in these topics. That group includes high school age young men.

I think the book could be very helpful to single mothers during a time when their boys are developing into young men. Single moms have a huge job and this book can serve as a guide or a discussion starter for many life topics with their sons.

Grandparents can use the book as a guide for reinforcement of topics their grandsons need to know. Often those "pearls" of wisdom from grandparents are more readily accepted than they are from parents at that critical age. It can be a great gift from grandparents to their grandson.

Man Stuff would be a great gift for any young man age 10-18. The topics are traditional, timely and current. I plan to update as needed.

For example, the first two chapters in the book were going to be about the handshake and the bro-hug.  I chose to move them because of the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 virus.

I believe there is a very really possibility that the handshake’s place in American culture may be changing. People will be much more sensitive to touching each other in a world of “social distancing” and it will be important to respect those sensitivities. The same applies to the “Bro Hug”.

I’ve chosen to leave these chapters in the book, because, at the very least, it is important to understand the role of the handshake and “Bro Hug” in our recent culture. You need to understand some of the subtle things one could convey and learn by these interactions.

If they go away, some type of formal greeting will replace them and you will want to understand how this changes the greeting and exchange. 

I encourage you to give Man Stuff: Things a Young Man Needs to Know a read. I think you will find that there is something there for almost everyone!

Man Stuff

I have written in this space about the Explorers before. That organization is the inspiration for my new

book Man Stuff: Things a Young Man Needs to Know.

Here is the forward from my book:

When my son was in seventh grade, I saw a need for some kind of youth organization that ALL young men could belong to – even those who were not athletic. I started the Explorers Club, a boys service club for 6-8th grade Chamberlain Public School and St. Joseph’s Indian School students, in the fall of 2001. Since then, over 350 young men have worked to raise over $125,000 for their school and community which has help fund over $650,000 in projects for the area.

This money has helped construct a new baseball field (with scoreboard) and new soccer field; purchase new playground equipment at two parks, new slides and equipment for the municipal swimming pool and A/V equipment and an AED device for the school; construct a fishing pier in the municipal campground, a new picnic shelter, and a community Frisbee golf course; and purchase trees, 60 new flag poles for community flag park, and equipment at Veterans Park. They have given financial support to the local “Meals on Wheels” and “Relay for Life” programs in addition to many other things.

They volunteer for an impressive list of service projects including cleaning school grounds, assisting with Veterans Day programs, assisting with sports tournaments, serving meals at high school athletic banquet, hosting Halloween parties for mentally handicapped, and performing various chores for elderly community members. They raise money for numerous people fighting health issues. They truly are the “go-to” organization for service and help in the community.