Thanksgiving Day in the United States is next week. Last year, we had our friend Karl Engel teach you how to cook and carve a Thanksgiving turkey like a man.  But a man needs stuffing to go along with that bird, so we brought Karl back to show you how to make a killer stuffing that will please any Thanksgiving crowd. Karl heads up Pigcasso, an award winning BBQ team. He’s been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network, so Karl knows his stuff. Today Karl gives us a rundown on how to give a traditional Thanksgiving staple a twist with his Manly Cornbread Stuffing. Thanks Karl!

Manly Cornbread Stuffing

By Karl “The Pigman” Engel

(Very large batch, serves 12 to 15)

Ingredients

• 2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix
• 1 package Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Dressing Mix
• 1 head or bunch of celery
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 beaten eggs
• Chicken stock or broth (I use Swanson, but it can be homemade or any brand)

Directions

The day before you cook and serve the dressing: cook the Jiffy cornbread mix according to package directions and let cool. Clean and chop celery, including leaves of the heart. Chop onion and wilt or sauté it in a tablespoon of butter, let cool. When the cornbread is cool, crumble it into a large bowl, add most or all of the package of Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Dressing Mix, stir to combine. Next add the celery and onion and stir to combine. Cover and let sit in a cool dry place overnight to allow flavors to develop.

When you are ready to cook it, add chicken stock or broth and beaten eggs to the cornbread mix, then stir to thoroughly combine. There is not an exact amount of broth, but add enough so that the mixture resembles a very course and thick cake batter.

Heat oven to 375. In a very large, heavy pan or two iron skillets, add enough oil or shortening to cover the pan. When the oven is ready, melt shortening or heat oil in the oven till it is smoking (watch carefully). Remove and immediately pour the dressing batter into the hot pan or pans. This helps to create a tasty crust. Bake 45 minutes or until it is cooked through and a tester comes out clean.

Note: because the Pepperidge Farm Dressing Mix is pre-seasoned with herbs, this adds just the right amount of traditional sage and “Thanksgiving” taste to the mix, eliminating the need to add further seasonings. This is a traditional recipe handed down through several generations of our family. Enjoy!

What are your favorite stuffing recipes? Are you a cook the stuffing inside the bird or outside the bird kind of guy? Share your tips with us in the comments!

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It’s a scene familiar to any fan of war movies: old sarge is pacing the new recruits’ barracks, heels clicking on the floor, his eyes bulging as he inspects the soldiers’ bunks.  Tension fills the air; the men break out in a sweat. He checks to make sure each man’s uniform is just right, his boots are shined, and his clothes have been neatly folded in his locker. But the moment of truth comes when the sergeant pulls a quarter from his pocket and bounces it off the bed to see just how tightly it’s made. If it doesn’t bounce, the soldier usually has to make it again and do 50 push-ups as penance.

Why Make Your Bed

The military drills its recruits over and over again in the skill of bed-making. The men have to do it just right, and they have to do it in a matter of minutes.

It’s easy to wonder why the heck the military would make such a big deal about how a soldier’s bed is made. But bunk and locker drills are simply a means to an end. And that end is developing a soldier’s discipline and attention to even the smallest details. Plus, it ensures that order is maintained in the barracks, which allows the enlisted man to concentrate on more important matters.

Discipline and order are both things that can benefit civilians, too. According to my friend Gretchen Ruben, author of the Happiness Project, making your bed neatly and tightly every day can actually increase your overall happiness. Men looking to get their lives together often want to tackle big goals while the rest of their life is a disorganized mess. Get the little things in your life under control, and the sense of confidence and satisfaction you’ll feel will help you move on the big things. So if you’re looking to move your life out of neutral, making your bed first thing in the morning might be the best way to start.

How to Make Your Bed Like a Soldier

Alright. So mom/sarge/crazy camp counselor was right. Making your bed every day is important. But if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right. Today we’re going to show you how to make a bed like a soldier based on a guide from a WWII army base called Camp Crowder. Atten-hut! Let’s get down to business soldier!

Spread the bottom sheet. Most people today use a set of sheets that includes a fitted bottom sheet. You simply spread the sheet and fit the corners around the mattress. If you don’t have fitted sheets because you’re old school, you have a few more steps to take. But the pay off is a tightness that you can never achieve with a fitted sheet.

Stand at the foot of the bed and spread the sheet evenly across it. Once you have the sheet spread evenly, you now must employ the bed making secret known by soldiers and nurses across the world.

The secret to a tight bed: The Hospital Corner. The hospital corner is the bread and butter of making a neat bed. Many people are intimidated by hospital corners, but with some practice you’ll be able to make them in a snap.

• Starting at the foot of the bed, tuck the end of the sheet between the mattress and box springs. Don’t just bunch the sheet between the mattress and the box springs, rather ensure that the sheet lays smoothly between the two.

• Go to the head of the bed and pull the other end of the sheet taut. Tuck the sheet under the mattress as you did at the foot of the bed.

• Go back to the foot of the bed and pick a corner to make your first hospital corner. Grab the sheet draping from the side about 16 inches from the foot of the bed (Diagram A).

• Place one finger on top of the corner, lifting the sheet with the other hand (Diagram B).

• Tuck lower drape under the mattress (Diagram C).

• Hold the corner in place and bring the sheet over. You want the fold on the top sheet to form a 45-degree angle. That’s standard for the Army (Diagram D).

• Tuck the rest of the side of the sheet under the mattress, working your way to the head of the bed (Diagram E). Repeat on all four corners of the bed. As you tuck, take your hand and smooth out any wrinkles that may form in the sheet on the top of the bed.

Spread the top sheet. Take the top sheet and spread it out over the bottom sheet. The end of the sheet with the large hem goes at the head of the bed. Align the top of the sheet with the head of the mattress.

Spread the blanket. Spread your blanket on top of the sheet. Leave about six inches between the top edge of the blanket and the sheet.

Make hospital corners with the sheet and blanket. Now that you have the sheet and blanket spread out, it’s time to bust out some more hospital corners. Start off by tucking in the end of the sheet at the foot of the bed between the mattress and box springs. Remember to make sure they lay smoothly between the mattress and box spring and are not just bunched under.

Pick a corner at the foot of the bed and make another hospital corner as described above. Remember to get your 45-degree angle and to continually smooth any wrinkles that form while you’re tucking. If you really want to go for the Army look with your bed, don’t tuck in the excess overhang on each side just yet. If you don’t care for the Army look or you have a significant other that wants her fluffy comforter on top, go ahead and tuck in the sides.

Fold the top of the blanket and sheet down. Go to the head of the bed and stretch the blanket as close as you can to the sheet hem. Fold the sheet hem over the blanket like so:

Fold both the sheet and blanket over approximately four inches. Fold again leaving 18 inches from the head of the mattress to the fold. Now you can tuck in the overhang on the sides. Remember to smooth out those wrinkles! It should look something like this:

Place pillow on top. Just place your pillow at the head of your bed and you’re done. Today’s Army often places a dustcover on top of the pillow. It’s basically another blanket. But you don’t have to do that. Now take out a quarter and bounce it off the bed. If everything is nice and tight, it should bounce right back into your hand. Good work soldier!

Comforters. If you’re like most people today, you probably put a comforter on top of your blanket and sheet. While comforters are cozy, you can’t bounce a quarter off a bed with one on top. No worries. As long as the sheets and blankets are nice and tight underneath, there’s no need to do push-ups. It’ll feel mighty good slipping underneath a nicely made bed at night.

Grandpa’s Trick from the Army to Get a Super Tight, Tight Bed: Safety Pins

If you want to really create a super tightly made bed, use this trick. First, gather several  safety pins. Before any step that requires you to tuck a sheet and blanket under the mattress, stick a safety pin through them. When you tuck them under the bed, pin the blanket and sheet to the mattress. Do this all down the foot of the bed and down the sides to about the midpoint on your mattress.  This will ensure that your bed stays nice and tight through the week. Of course, your wife might object to using this technique on her 700 count Egyptian cotton sheets. Use with discretion.

How to Make Your Bed Every Day in Less Than a Minute

Once you’ve made your bed with hospital corners and everything, it’s actually really easy to maintain throughout the week. In fact, you can make your bed every day in less than a minute. Most people make their bed by walking around it and straightening things out as they go. All that shuffling just wastes time.

To make your bed quickly, use this trick I learned from a dorm mate I had in college: simply make your bed while you’re still in it. When you wake up, just sit up in your bed and straighten everything out. It’s actually easier to do this while sitting in your bed’s center than standing on its side. Once you have everything nice and straight, fold the top of the sheet and blanket down and slide out from underneath. When you get out, tuck the sides of the sheet back underneath the mattress. Bada bing! Instantly made bed.

One caveat- this probably only works with a single or double mattress. Anything bigger and it gets unwieldy to maneuver while still under the covers.

Any other bed making tips? Share them with us in the comments!

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When I lived in Tijuana, Mexico, one of the things that caught my eye (besides all the dead dogs and cholos) was a huge, almost palatial building in the middle of downtown. It looked like it was transplanted from Morocco and was definitely out of place in the brown and dusty ugliness that is Tijuana. On the front of the building in big red letters it read: “Jai Alai.”

Unfamiliar with the meaning of those words, I asked the locals to give me the scoop on what the building was used for. They introduced me to the interesting and tradition-rich game of jai alai (pronounced Hi-Lie). Often called the “fastest sport in the world,” jai alai consists of men with weird basket hands whipping rock-hard balls against a granite wall, trying to make their opponent miss the return while avoiding being hit with the speeding bullet themselves. It’s a game that requires a combination of skill, speed, and acrobatics. If you’re not familiar with the sport, here’s your primer on the intense and manly world of jai alai.

History of Jai Alai

Jai alai originated as a handball game in the Basque area of Spain’s Pyrenees Mountains over four centuries ago. Games were played on Sundays and holidays in small villages at the local church, hence the name jai alai which means “merry festival” in Basque. Players would use the open-air church courtyard and the walls of the church as the fronton or arena. The tie between the church and the sport even earned the game a patron saint-Saint Ignatius Loyola, who took part in the sport when he wasn’t busy founding the Jesuit order.

The players started to put leather on their hands to protect them from the hard ball that they used in the games and moved to indoor frontons near the end of the 18^th century. Around the late 1800’s a Basque farmer got the idea that if they put a cesta, or basket, on their hands, they could hurl the ball a lot faster and a lot harder.

Vintage postcard Tijuana’s Jai Alai palace.

The game spread to and gained popularity in Spanish speaking countries like Mexico and Cuba, and even the Phillipines. Americans got their first taste of jai alai at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. After its initial introduction in the U.S., frontons started going up all over the country. Spectators flocked to jai alai arenas to watch the “ballet with bullets,” and it quickly became an alternative to horse and dog racing for parimutuel gambling. Check out this short clip about the jai alai fronton in Tijuana that aired on the Colgate Comedy Hour in 1955:

Sadly, jai alai waned in popularity during the 1980s. Many of the jai alai frontons in the United States closed. However, the game remains popular in Florida where six frontons still attract old spectators and gamblers wearing their straw hats and guyaberas and drinking cheap beer. While 2/3 of the players in America still hail from the Basque country where they are started in the sport from a very young age, a few Americans have proven their prowess on the court as well.

In the past few years, jai alai has gained more attention and is making a small comeback. Perhaps the Dos Equis commercials where the Most Interesting Man in the World makes a spectacular jai alai play is responsible! St. Petersburg, FL recently opened a jai alai facility to train new players. Plans exist to open frontons in Dallas, TX and Hartford, CT. Will we see more jai alai frontons open up across the country and fans flocking to them to bet on the fastest game in the world? Maybe so. Horse races are fun, but watching a ball being hurled at 170 mph and men diving to the ground and running up the wall to get said ball has an appeal all of its own.

How to Play Jai Alai

In case you decide to check out the fastest game in the world, here’s a brief rundown on how the game is played. The basics are easy to learn and the finer rules and points of the game can quickly be picked up after watching a few matches.

The uniform. Players wear sneakers, t-shirts with their post number on the front and their unique number on the back, white pants, and a red sash around their waist called the faja. Since 1968, when a professional player was put in a coma for 6 months after getting hit in the head with the ball, players have also been required to don helmets.

The pelota. The jai alai ball is the fastest, hardest ball in sports. It has been clocked at speeds up to 188 miles per hour and is as hard as a rock. The ball is about ¾ the size of a baseball and is constructed of hand wound Brazilian rubber which is wrapped in thread and covered by two hardened goat skin covers. Each ball is made by hand and costs about $100. The cover must be replaced every 15 minutes of play because it splits after hitting the fronton wall at high velocities. Because of the pelota’s hardness and velocity, jai alai is an extremely dangerous sport that has killed several players (even having a jai alai player hit you with a orange is enough to bring you to your knees).

The cesta. Cestas are made of  reeds found in the Pyrenees Mountains and are custom made for each jai alai player. The hand is inserted into a leather glove and held in place by a wrap-around tie called a cinta. Cestas are hand woven and it takes over 14 hours of labor to make just one.  They’re not cheap, either. Each cesta costs over $100. Players own several and must constantly repair  and replace them from the wear and tear of play.

The cestas put the real spin on the game-quite literally. Throwing and catching a straight ball with them would be relatively easy, but players are able to put enormous spin on the balls which makes them less predictable and harder to hold onto.

The red areas on the wall are foul areas. Balls that hit in this area are no longer playable. The foul area is made out of a different material than the rest of the wall and makes a distinct sound when hit, which allows players, referees, and spectators to immediately recognize a foul ball.

The cancha. Jai alai is played in a large three walled court (front wall, left wall, and back wall) called the cancha. There is no standard size for a cancha, but the court is typically about 176 feet long (double the size of a basketball court) and 40 feet wide. Spectators sit on the open right side to watch the game and are protected from stray balls by a screen. Because all canchas have a wall on the players’ left side, all jai alai players must wear their cestas on their right hand. So lefties are out of luck.

Running down the right side of the court is a 10-15 feet wide wooden out-of-bounds area called the contracancha. A ball cannot hit in this area, but a player can stand or run in it to save a ball. The front wall is made of granite because it’s the only material strong enough to withstand the pelota’s impact.

Fourteen parallel lines divide the cancha horizontally across the court. Line 1 is the closest to the front and line 14 is the furthest away.

Scoring. Scoring in jai alai is very similar to racquetball. Each point starts off with a serve. The server must bounce the ball behind the serving line (#11) and then hurl it towards the front wall. The ball must bounce between lines 4 and 7 after it hits the front wall.

Teams then alternate catching the pelota in their cesta and throwing it in one fluid motion without holding and juggling it. The game’s judges determine whether a player catches and throws the ball in one fluid motion.

Players must catch the ball on the fly or after it bounces once on the floor.

Points are scored if an opposing player:

• fails to serve so the ball bounces between lines 4 and 7 on the floor
• fails to catch the ball on the fly or after one bounce
• holds or juggles the ball
• hurls the ball out of bounds
• interferes with a player attempting to catch and hurl the ball

Jai alai games are played in a round robin format, usually with eight teams of two players each (with one front court and one back court player) or single players. Each team gets a number; this is the “post number” that appears on the front of their shirts. Team 1 takes on Team 2 and the winner of that games faces Team 3.  The team that scores a point remains on the cancha while the losing team goes to the end of the line to await another turn on the court. Points usually double after the first round. The first team to score 7 or 9 points wins the game. Just like in horse racing, the next highest score is awarded “place,” and third place is awarded “show.” Playoffs are used in case of a tie.

Betting on Jai Alai

Betting on jai alai is just like betting on horse racing or dog racing. So you can place a single “win,” “place,” or “show” bet on a particular team or you can pick two teams to finish first and second with a “quinella” bet.  Spectators can also make trifecta and superfecta bets.

The skill and agility of the players allows for some handicapping but the speed and tricky action of the pelota introduces an element of luck into the equation.

Jai Alai in Action

To get a feel for the game, check out these clips of play:

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Have you ever been at a meeting where all you can think about is how much more productive you’d be working alone at your desk? And how much of the company’s money is swirling down the drain while your co-workers surreptitiously check their Blackberries under the table? And how you wish you had made like the crew of the Enola Gay and carried a cyanide capsule with you?

People hate meetings. But it’s not the meetings themselves that are inherently pencil-in-eye inducing, it’s how meetings are run. Without a real leader, meetings can become unproductive and inefficient, not only wasting time and money, but sapping office morale. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

A man knows how to lead. He knows how to run a meeting that starts on time, ends on time, and gets things done. Here’s how.

Establish whether the meeting is absolutely necessary. Before you even think about scheduling a meeting, figure out if you really and truly need one. You should only call for a meeting if:

• The information to be discussed could not be disseminated via telephone or email. Meetings should never be called when only a one-way information exchange is needed.
• There are clear benefits to having everyone together in one room.

Set an agenda. This is crucial for a productive meeting. Without a clear, pre-set agenda, a meeting will drift off-topic and interminably drag on. And then when you’re done and everyone has dispersed, you’ll suddenly remember an important point you forgot to bring up, thus necessitating another meeting.

Type up an agenda for the meeting with a specific list of what items will be discussed and in what order. Email everyone a copy a day or two before the meeting to give them a heads up about what to expect and some time to start thinking about the issues and what they’d like to contribute. People can also make additions and objections to the agenda before the meeting instead of at the meeting. Make it clear in your message that if it’s not on the agenda, it can’t be discussed at the meeting. Paste the agenda into the body of the email. People don’t open attachments.

Make sure key people will be in attendance. If you call a meeting when you know key people can’t come, you’ll basically spend the meeting trying to talk around them and saying, “Well, we’ll have to wait to see what Mike has to say before we can start on that for sure.” Decisions get deferred, more meetings are necessitated, and you waste time afterwards bringing the MIA people up to speed. Arrange a meeting for when you know key people can make it.

Talk one on one with people to resolve pet issues before the meeting. Even if you make it clear that only agenda items can be discussed during the meeting, there are always people who try to break this rule and bring up their favorite pet issue. These people can get the meeting way off track. If you know someone has an issue that doesn’t really affect the group, talk to them one on one before the meeting to preemptively resolve the problem and nip their meeting interruption in the bud.

Bring bagels or donuts. The only thing that makes meetings a bit more palatable is something for the palate. Bring something for people to munch on.

Set up the chairs in a U-shape. There are 3 different ways to set up a meeting room: the U-shape, a circle, or lecture style. Lecture style, with everyone sitting side by side and facing the front, gives the leader complete control, but doesn’t allow for any collaboration. The circle lends itself to a feeling of equality and plenty of group-think, but with no clear leader, the discussion can easily devolve into a bunch of flapdoodle. The U-shape is the best compromise; it gives people a chance to share and collaborate, but the guy at the top of the U is recognized as the leader and can keep things on track.

The circular, uber-democratic, let’s hug it out style has been in vogue for awhile now, and it makes everyone feel important, but it’s also the reason meetings get off-track and become totally unproductive. The truth is that not everyone does have something important to say, and a leader is crucial in keeping things focused on the things that matter.

Start on time. And don’t recap for late people. Doing so legitimizes lateness and disrespects those who made an effort to show up on time.

Begin with what was accomplished since the last meeting. “Last time we talked about x and here’s how it’s been implemented.” If you don’t want people to feel like meetings are pointless, you have to offer some proof that they’re not.

Get to the heart of the matter. Remember, meetings are not for the one-way exchange of information. If there’s background information people need to know in order to engage the issues, circulate this information in a flier or email before the meeting so everyone is up to speed and you can skip the milk and jump right into the meat. At the meeting, succinctly describe the issue or problem and quickly move into coming up with a solution or course of action.

If people haven’t prepared for the meeting by reading up on the background information or otherwise, then dissolve the meeting. Moving forward will just be a waste of time. This takes some balls, but people will come ready next time.

Come up with a tangible solution. Many times during a meeting when people are unable to attain a consensus, the issue is tabled for the time being, which means of course, that there will inevitably be another meeting in the future to again address the problem. So whenever possible, preempt these future meetings by coming up with a concrete solution and specific actions for people to take. This is where your quality as a leader is tested-can you break through the stalemate, broker a compromise, and come up with a solution?

Control the discussion. Perhaps a leader’s most important job is keeping the discussion productive and on topic. There are several ways to do this:

• Get feedback from everyone. Having a clear leader in a meeting does not stifle feedback and collaboration, it ensures it. Without a leader, the opinionated loudmouths, who do not necessarily have the best ideas, will dominate the discussion, while the more reticent can’t get a word in edgewise. Draw out the quiet people by asking questions like, “Jane, you’ve had a lot of experience with that company, what is your opinion of their proposal? Of course, some people are quiet because they have nothing insightful to offer. A good leader knows which is which.
• Ask good questions. Sometimes people can’t come up with the right solution simply because the leader isn’t asking the right questions. Ask questions that will really make people think and look at something from another angle.
• Shut down disruptions. It’s perhaps the hardest part of the job, but a leader must tactfully shut down people who are getting off-track, whether they’re simply going on and on or they’re just way off-topic. Wait for the bloviator to take a breath and then say something like:
  • “That might be a good subject to discuss another time, but let’s get back to talking about X.”
  • “Why don’t the two of us discuss that after the meeting.”
  • “Good point but we need to get back to agenda.”
  • “Let’s table that for now but we can put it on the agenda for next time.”
  • “I’ve just signaled for Tom to render you unconscious with a blow dart to the neck.”

You don’t want to come off as a jerk and cut them off, but it’s best to err on the side of having a firm hand. While the windbag may be a bit chastised, everyone else in the meeting will inwardly be  applauding you.

Summarize the meeting. At the end of the meeting, quickly tick off a list of everything you have accomplished and resolved to do. Delegate tasks and make sure everyone is absolutely clear on what their individual responsibilities are. Don’t ask for “other business.” You’re just opening a can of worms. Remember, if it’s not on the agenda, it’s not going to be discussed.

End on time. If you want people’s attitude towards meetings to change, then they have to know they can trust them to start and end at the specified time. Your task as the leader is to set the pace and keep things moving so you accomplish your goals within the set time.

Follow up and make sure things gets done. This is just as important as the meeting itself. Remember, at the start of the next meeting, you’re going to have to summarize what was accomplished since the last one. You better have something to say.

Of course, if you’re not the leader, than there isn’t much you can do to curb meeting inanity. But meetings are a great place to show your potential leadership skills. Come on time, be prepared with good ideas, and hopefully you’ll soon be the guy standing at the top of the U.

What are some of your tips on the do’s and don’ts of running an effective and productive meeting? Share them with us in the comments!

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Last May we did a tie giveaway with the Mountain and Sackett tie company, which has been making handmade neckware right here in America since 1957. The giveaway was a big hit with readers, so we decided to bring it back again. And with the holidays coming up, we wanted to help you look sharp for the seasonal parties you’ll be attending.

What’s Up For Grabs

The winner of the giveaway will get to choose any one of Mountain and Sackett’s ties as their prize. Need a narrow tie in your collection? How about a solid wool tie? And of course don’t forget the ties that Mountain and Sackett is famous for-their regimentals. Mountain and Sackett ’s regimental ties are the world’s only 100% handmade ties. No machine touches these beauties. Cruise through Mountain and Sackett’s collection and pick the one you’d like to be wearing around your neck when you kiss your gal under the mistletoe.

How to Enter

Entering is easy. Just follow these two simple steps:

1. Visit the Mountain and Sackett website and pick out the style and color you would like for your tie if you’re lucky enough to be selected as the winner.

2. Share your selection with us in the comments section. You don’t have to post the link-just a description. (Posting the link may cause your comment to be filtered as spam).

Everyone who enters the contest will be emailed a code for a 20% discount on Mountain and Sackett ties at the conclusion of the contest.

A winner will be drawn randomly from the entries. The deadline for entry into the contest is Sunday, November 22 at 11PM EST.

What are you waiting for? Enter today!

If you’re looking for new ways to tie a tie, check out our videos on how to tie a tie.

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Welcome back to another edition of The Art of Manliness podcast! This week we talk to Wayne Levine, founder of BetterMen.org and a mentor for men looking to get their life back on track. He also leads men’s retreats and facilitates men’s groups. Wayne has also written a book called Hold on to Your N.U.Ts: The Relationship Manual for Men. It’s a good read and I highly recommend it. Some of you might be familiar with Wayne’s articles here on the site.

For more information about Wayne and his work with men, check out BetterMen.org and his blog bettermen.wordpress.com.

In this interview, we talk about mentoring, the problems modern men face, and his work helping men become better.

Listen to the Podcast!

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As a boy, one of my favorite times in school was when we’d get a new Scholastic News book “catalog.” I would pour over the pages picking out which books I wanted and filling out the order sheet. And as soon I got them, I was lying under the covers with my nose buried in a book.

Unfortunately, not all boys have that kind of enthusiasm for reading. For several decades now, boys have scored lower on reading assessment tests than girls. Boys also take longer to learn to read than girls, are less likely to actually read and to value reading, and are more likely to label themselves as “non-readers” (up to 50% of high school age boys consider themselves as such). Non-reading boys do poorer academically and end up as non-reading men (women read almost twice as many books as men).

What’s the problem? Some of it may be biological (boys’ language skills develop slower that girls). But a lot of it is sociological. Boys may see reading as a passive and thus sissy activity. Boys also lack male reading mentors-their librarians and teachers are often female, and it’s mom that reads to them. And in the name of gender-neutrality, teachers are foisting books on boys that they simply do not like.

But parents are to blame too, often trying to make their sons read “important books” to build their character. Dad loved some long tome as a boy and wants junior to come to an equal apprectation of it.

But reading experts all agree that boys need to be allowed to pick the books that really interest them. Of course it’s okay to make suggestions to your son about things he might like-boys very much value the opinion of other boys and men in making their reading selections. So here are 50 books that many boys and young men will really love. We’ve included some classics, but we also threw in some more modern and accessible choices-after all, not every boy has the desire or the aptitude to dive into Dickens.

Finally, while we had boys about the ages of 9-15 in mind when we made this list, I’ve always considered the distinction between adult and young adult literature to be an unfortunate and artificial one. Putting together this list I remembered just how good these books are, and I can’t wait to read them again as a man. Whether you’re 12 or 52, grab one of these books and a bag of cookies and head out to the treehouse.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Pretty much every boy’s favorite book. When the pilot of the small plane of which he is a passenger crash lands in the Canadian wilderness, 13 year old Brian Robeson must survive with only his wits and a hatchet. Utterly alone, Brian must learn to rely on himself. Gripping and vividly told, every boy pictures himself in Brian’s shoes and wonders whether he would have what it takes to survive.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Set at 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 jealously in Gene that results in a tragedy that will forever change both of their lives. A piercing look at both the light and the shadows of friendship and humanity. Every boy wishes he were Finny but knows he’s more like Gene. This book has stuck with me ever since reading it as a young man and remains one of my favorite until to this day.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Take Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, replace the jungle with a graveyard and the animals with ghosts and you’ve got Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. The book begins with the mention of the murder of a family, but quickly moves on from there and is not a gruesome tale inappropriate for youngsters. The sole survivor of the murder is an 18 month old baby, who toddles away to a graveyard. Here the cemetery’s ghosts and ghouls adopt the boy, give him a name (”Nobody” as he’s like nobody else in the graveyard), protect him from the still on the loose killer, and teach him the life lessons that only the dead can know. It’s takes a graveyard to raise a child, and the cemetery is a great home, but eventually Bod, as they call him, must deal with the world outside of its borders. Spooky, magical, and engrossing, it’s a must for all boys who like ghost stories (so pretty much all boys). Be sure to check out Gaiman’s other great books like Neverwhere and Anasi Boys.

The American Boy’s Handy Book by Daniel C. Beard

Long before The Dangerous Book for Boys became all the rage , there was the American Boy’s Handy Book. Every father and grandfather should have this on his shelf, waiting there for a boy to pull it off and start leafing through. Dozens of awesome (and unlike another book, some actually dangerous) hands on projects for boys to tackle from how to build kites and forts to how to rear wild birds and trap animals. Originally published in 1882 and still a must for every boy today.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

The story of a boy who’s boring life is interrupted by the appearance of something strange and unusual that transports him to a magical place. It’s a premise that underlies a myriad of children’s books, but few are as creatively constructed as The Phantom Tollbooth. Young Milo finds a tollbooth in his room, gets in his toy car and drives into another dimension. Boys will love the strange adventures Milo experiences, while older kids and adults can enjoy the witty satire and clever puns.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

One of the great American novels. Young Huck Finn escapes from his abusive father by taking off on a raft down the Mississippi River. He is joined by Jim, an escaped slave. The two set off on a grand adventure full of close calls and interesting characters. With both wit, action, and fun, coupled with an undercurrent of serious themes, Huck Finn is a multi-layered masterpiece for young and old.

The Last Mission by Harry Mazer

The classic tale of the collision of a boy’s idealistic view of war with it’s ugly reality. Yet the book manages to avoid being a tired cliche. 15 year old Jack Raab lies his way into the Army Air Force and finds himself flying bombing missions over occupied territory. On his 25th mission, his last mission before being sent home, his plane is shot down, and he is taken prisoner in a German POW camp. A fictional story and an easy read, but historically accurate and realistic in its details. Be sure to check out other books by Harry Mazer; his A Boy at War series is a painless way to teach boys some history.

The First Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook

If you have a son in Scouts, he’ll definitely dig this book. Today’s Scout manual is definitely watered down compared to the first edition. The first edition manual is crammed with info on tracking and trapping animals, building shelters from scratch, and sailing. Additionally, it has stories of bravery and adventure that inspire boys to be great men. Something today’s manual is sorely lacking.

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Known as a war book, The Red Badge of Courage is really a coming of age story set on the battlefield. Young Henry Fleming leaves his mother to fight for the Union Army. His question of whether or not he’ll have the courage to stand and fight is answered in the negative when he flees from his first skirmish. Fleming resolves to redeem himself during the next battle. A story not only of the tragedy of war, but the struggle to replace pride, weakness, and rationalization with bravery and personal honesty.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

One of my favorite books as a boy-who knew the lives of rabbits could be so engrossing? I’m sure it’s rife with rich symbolism and whatnot to mull over, but it’s one of those books that creates a world so rich and evocative that it’s best to let yourself get totally wrapped up in it instead of constantly searching for deeper meaning. When a prophetic rabbit correctly foretells that their warren will be destroyed, a band of rabbits travel in search of  a new home and encounter dangerous and interesting obstacles along the way. Some authors can’t make human characters as interesting as these rabbits.

• 30 Days to a Better Man Day 27: Start a Book
• Manvotional: Boys Wanted
• Manvotional: Thomas Carlyle’s Advice to Young Men
• The Art of Manliness Podcast Episode #2: Man Stories with Dan Lauth
• Announcing the Launch of the Art of Manliness Book!

When famed War Correspondent Col. Frederick Palmer called on Douglas MacArthur at his Manila Headquarters, his most vivid memory of the meeting was that of the three frames hanging over the General’s desk. On the left, a portrait of Washington. On the right, a portrait of Lincoln. And between them, a framed version of a poem called “Youth” by Samuel Ullman. He also hung it in his office in Tokyo when he took over as Supreme Allied commander of Japan, and would continue to quote it in the many speeches he gave his “old” age. Because of his influence in Japan, the poem became very popular among the Japanese, and it is still more well known and beloved there than in the West.

Youth

By Samuel Ullman

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than a boy of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the infinite, so long are you young.

When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at eighty.

• Manvotional #1: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
• Manvotional: Boys Wanted
• Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley
• Manvotional: Energetic Men
• Manvotional: Thomas Carlyle’s Advice to Young Men

If you read our man Mike’s post yesterday on “drinking” when you’re a teetotaler, you know he suggested seeing if your local bar carries tasty craft sodas. But what’s a good independently made soda to try? Well so far, we’ve given you the skinny on the best root beers and colas. Today we’ll tackle cream sodas.

With a “vanilla” personality, it’s easy to see why cream soda often gets overlooked by thirsty drinkers and overshadowed by its brown brethren.

But that’s a shame because cream soda is a smooth and delightful drink. It pairs well with spicy food, as it cools off the mouth nicely.

The cream soda’s origins go back to the turn of the century, when the creaminess was supplied by a scoop of ice cream on top of flavored soda water. Some places like Italy still make cream soda that way, with real cream, soda water, and vanilla syrup. While the American version lacks real dairy, it somewhat compensates for this with a clean and refreshing taste.

As usual, only sodas that were made with sugar or natural sweeteners as opposed to high fructose corn syrup (soda sacrilege) were considered. Let’s see how these cream sodas stacked up against each other!

Virgil’s Diet Vanilla Cream

Made in: Los Angeles, CA

OG?* Nope.

Our review:

It’s strange that a soda brewery that produces some of the world’s best sodas, fails so miserably on the diet front. They certainly get points for good intentions; their diet vanilla cream soda is billed not as a soda  but as a “dietary supplement” and is made with stevia instead of artificial sweeteners. But the other ingredients, which include an herbal mix of ginseneg, lycium, fo-ti root, gingko, rhodiola, hibiscus, and shatavari, gave the drink a highly disagreeable flavor. It tasted strongly of stevia and almost like alcohol and burned the tongue. The sweetness was overpowering. Not fit for human consumption.

The AoM Verdict:

1/2 out of 4 bottle caps

Gray’s Gourmet Cream Soda

Made in: Janesville, WI

OG? Since 1856

Our review: Gray’s was sweet, but  lacked any cream flavor, or any flavor at all! There seemed to be almost a hint of maple to the flavor, but otherwise it tasted like sugar water.

The AoM verdict:

1 out of 4 bottle caps

Mad River

Made in: Vermont

OG? Nope

Our review: I currently live close to the actual Mad River that inspired this soda’s name, so I was primed to enjoy this cream soda. But the reviews of this soda were as divided as Vermont politics. Some testers found the subtle hints of cream to be light and refreshing. Others, including myself, thought the soda tasted akin to flat, flavorless, chlorinated water.

The AoM verdict:

1.5 out of 4 bottle caps

Moxie Cream Soda

Made in: Redmond, WA

OG? Since 1884

Our review: Moxie is famous for its signature brand of soda which tastes like something akin to carbonated cough syrup. But they also make a cream soda, a fairly decent one at that. Moxie cream soda had a light amber color, a strong vanilla taste, and strange undertones of bubblegum, Bazooka Joe bubble gum to be exact.

The AoM Verdict:

2.5 out of 4 bottle caps

Boylan’s Creme

Made in: Moonachie, NJ

OG? Since 1891

Our review:

The fancy spelling of “creme” was more than just semantics; this was a tasty soda. It tasted as cream soda should taste, with a smooth, traditional, real cream taste and just the right amount of fizz. It transported you to sitting at a soda fountain in 1949.

The AoM verdict:

3 out of 4 bottle caps

Virgil’s Cream Soda

Made in: Los Angeles, CA

OG? Nope

Our review: It’s becoming almost a foregone conclusion; once again, Virgils’ easily rose to the top of the pack. With no artificial ingredients or preservatives, Virgil’s natural cream flavor really shined. It had the taste of real cream and vanilla (it should; it’s made with real vanilla beans) and it was smooth with just the right amount of fizz. Delicious.

The AoM verdict:

(4 out of 4 bottle caps)

*OG: Original Gangster. Or in other words, is this a company that started way back when?

• Soda Review: Which is the Best Cola?
• Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer?
• Tired of Beer? Become a Soda Connoisseur
• The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Book Deadline Edition
• 5 Classic Cocktails Every Man Should Know

Announcing the Winner of the Cigar/Beer of the Month Club Giveaway

Congratulations to Jim Rainwater for winning the Cigar/Beer of the Month Club Giveaway. For the next 3 months, Jim will be getting a monthly shipment of 12, 12-ounce microbrews from two lightly distributed domestic microbreweries with a total of 4 different varieties to try. He’ll also get five professionally chosen, hand-rolled cigars from around the world. If you need an easy holiday gift idea for a man in your life, check out the gift subscriptions available at club-offers.com. He’ll think of you fondly each month when new goodies arrive in the mail.

If you didn’t win, don’t despair. We’ve packed this holiday season with a giveaway almost every week until Christmas. So stay tuned for many more chances to win awesomely manly booty.

The Art of Manliness Movember Team

The second week of Movember is coming to an end. The AoM Movember Team has raised $3,696 so far. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by the end of the month. If you haven’t donated (or even if you have) click on this link to make a donation on Movember’s secure server.

Here are the top 5 fundraisers from our Movember Team

Michael Miller    $ 595.00
Paul Fournier    $ 480.00
Chuck Balog    $ 340.00
Greg Park    $ 323.00
Ryan Gorman    $ 220.00

Don’t forget that half of every purchase of a Man’s Guide to the Holidays eBook goes to the AoM Movember team. So even if you’re not growing a stache, you can still contribute to a great cause (and get lots of great holidays tips!)

Around the Community This Week

Michael is buying a new computer and needs some advice on what to get. Weigh in.

Jack wants to hear about the benefits of getting older. Besides being eligible for the senior citizen discount at Denny’s.

Bad boys seems to get all the girls. But it’s not so much their badness that attracts the ladies as it is their confidence and spontaneity. Jamie started a discussion on how nice guys can incorporate the good aspects of the “bad boy.”

Captain G asks, “Is it ever too late to start over professionally?”

Mark wants to know what lessons you’ve learned from raising a son.

Herb started a thread where you can share stories of your family and friends, both living and dead, who served in our armed services and deserve to be honored.

Dagwood was right. The sandwich is essential man food. Don wants to know what you like to put between two slices of bread.

James! wrote a blog post about that singular moment in every parent’s life-when they tell their kid that Santa Claus isn’t real.

Carlos wrote a great blog post about his grandpa, who is truly an extraordinary man.

Lee wrote a blog post about his first deer hunting outing. He bagged a buck! Guy’s got quite a hunting future ahead of him.

Links From Around the Web

Hierarchy of Beards An amazing pictorial representation of the hierarchy of beards. Where does your beard rank? (Hat Tip to Chris)

Moustache Care (via GQ) For those of you growing a mustache for Movember, take a look at this short guide from GQ on how to get that uber-cool curl on your mustache a la Rollie Fingers.

Philly Tweed Ride Tweed Rides are popping up all around the U.S. People get together dressed to the nines in tweed knickers, ride bikes, and play old timey games. It’s like a critical mass ride, except instead of protesting big oil, you’re out supporting the return of tweed. The Philly Tweed ride was held last week. Check out the photos from the event. It might inspire you to start a Tweed Ride in your town.

10 Steps to Increasing Your Financial Resilience (@ Schaefer’s Blog) AoM contributing writer, Cameron Schaefer wrote a post on his blog on 10 things you can do today to increase your financial resilience. It’s a nice reminder of the basics we all should be doing to maximize our financial life.

Letters of Note Letters of Note scans old letters, postcards, telegrams, and memos and posts them up on the site daily. Lots of interesting stuff there. I always have enjoyed reading old letters. It’s a great way to learn history from the people who actually lived it. 

• The Art of Manliness Weekly Round-up: November 7, 2009
• The Art of Manliness Movember Contest 2009
• Weekly Link Round-Up: October 31, 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: October 2009
• The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Man Store Edition

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Mike Hagan, AoM’s resident bartender. Mike last tackled the 5 classic cocktails every man should know. Today, he gives the non-drinkers among us tips on how to wet their whistles when they’re out at a bar.

Lots of folks like to go out to the bar from time to time, regardless of whether they drink or not. The bar can be a great place to socialize, meet new friends, catch up with old ones, or even meet that special someone. But what if you don’t drink? Must you avoid this integral part of the male social experience? Absolutely not! With our Guide to Drinking for the Teetotaler, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience of the bar without drinking yourself into buffoonery or resorting to Virgin Strawberry Daquiris.

There are multiple reasons you might not be drinking while you’re out at the bar: 1) you’re not a true teetotaler and DO in fact drink, but you’re the designated driver for the night. The designated driver is an under-used part of the bar experience, but very important. 2) You also may like to enjoy a drink or two, but not to get drunk, be it for having to work early the next day or to not end up with a woman of loose morals and questionable attractiveness lying next to you in the morning. 3) Finally, you may just choose not to drink, but like the atmosphere and camaraderie of the bar.

If you’re on the wagon, be it for life or for the night, here are some tips, broken into two sections:

When You Want People to Think You’re Drinking

There are many reasons why you may want to mask the fact that you’re not drinking. Everyone has that one friend, the “get them all another one!” guy who tries to make sure that the whole group is drinking and getting as wasted as he is. There’s nothing wrong with this guy; he’s usually a good time and just wants to have fun, but he needs to slow it down sometimes. Also, you may not want someone to buy you a drink. Groups of people buy rounds and may get you one if you’re ready. If you always have a full one in front of you, you can politely decline. And as unfortunate as it is, we all have friends that will ridicule you for not drinking. By hiding that you’re not drinking, you can avoid this problem while looking for new friends!

Soda Water, Tonic Water, Seltzer, or Citrus Soda

These can be easily poured in a highball glass and served with a citrus wedge to fool anyone into thinking you’re drinking a clear liquor with a clear mixer. A vodka tonic looks exactly like plain tonic water in the same glass side by side. If you’re going to be drinking a lot of these, however, I’d choose soda water because of the lack of calories. Tonic water and citrus soda (7Up, Sprite) have a lot of calories and sugar, and instead of a beer gut, you could get diabetes.

Non-Alcoholic Beer

Most people’s experience with non-alcoholic (NA) beer is O’Doul’s, from Anheuser-Busch. They try one, and their experiment with NA beers comes to a quick and disappointing end. It doesn’t really taste like beer, and that’s the point, right? But it works great for hiding that you’re not drinking, because in a glass it looks just like any other light lager. Your bartender will be more than happy to pour it in a glass for you before he puts it in front of you. There are a slew of non-alcoholic beers that taste better than the one everyone knows about. Heineken makes one called Buckler, and Guinness makes one called Kaliber. On the domestic side, Coors NA, Busch NA, Sharp’s from Miller, and Old Milwaukee NA are all available. In my experience, most old-school domestic beer drinkers like Busch NA because they say, of all the ones they’ve tried, it tastes the most like beer. Personally, of all I’ve tried, I liked Kaliber the best.

Apple Juice, Grape Juice, Sparkling Grape Juice

What if you want to look like you’re drinking wine? Apple juice in a wine glass looks like a Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay to the untrained eye. Grape juice can look like a lot of red wine if no one is paying attention. Sparkling white grape juice looks like champagne, and mixed with peach puree or orange juice can stand in for a Bellini or Mimosa, respectively. I don’t know how many times I’ve poured one of these for women who are pregnant but not telling anyone the news yet (it’s amazing what people will tell a bartender that they won’t tell their own friends…).

Iced Tea, Cola, Red Bull

Iced tea, on the rocks, can look like whiskey or a light scotch. A lot of people mix their dark liquors with cola, so having only cola in your glass will fool anyone. And if you need a pick-me-up, drink a Red Bull on the rocks.

Bloody Marys, Martinis, Other Cocktails

If you like Bloody Marys, get one sans vodka. You’ll still get all the fun garnishes, so you can get something to eat as well as something to quench your thirst. And if you like dirty martinis, a mix of olive juice and water in your cocktail glass can suffice. Especially if you’re someone who loves olive juice. A mix of cranberry juice and lime juice can look like a Cosmopolitan. Have a Mojito made with everything but the booze, and you’re in for a treat.

You Don’t Care If People Know You’re Not Drinking

Ok, here’s the fun part! You have a great group of friends who know you don’t drink and like your company anyway. Or, you do drink, but you love your friends so much, you’re driving them around for the night. Have fun with your bartender and ask him to come up with something for you, or you can order these drinks:

Shirley Temple, Roy Rogers, Arnold Palmer

A Shirley Temple, or Kiddie Cocktail, is citrus soda and grenadine. A Roy Rogers is cola and grenadine. An Arnold Palmer is lemonade and iced tea.

Craft Sodas

Some bars you go to may have a selection of craft sodas, root beers, or ginger ales. Try them! They usually taste better than the standard Coke or Pepsi. The bar I work in has a selection of both Jones and Sprecher sodas. If you have a favorite and you frequent an establishment, don’t be afraid to ask them to carry it. If they can get it, more than likely they’ll buy a case and see how many they sell. If they sell well, they may get a whole slew of different flavors and varieties for you to try.

Fruit Punches

Most bars have a variety of juices and alcohol free mixers available. Ask your bartender to create something for you. I make soda water with a splash of cranberry juice and a lime wedge for a woman who frequents my bar constantly. If you like what they make and order it enough, they’ll remember and may even name it after you!

Just as there are endless combinations when mixing alcohol drinks, and the same goes for non-alcoholic drinks. Try a few things out and find your favorite. Your bartender will be more than happy to help you out. They don’t care what they’re making, just as long as you tip!

Here’s a couple of my favorites that you can make at home, and two family punch recipes.

Brown Pelican

• 2 parts Apple Cider
• 1 part Ginger Beer
• Over ice

Faux Orangina

• 2 parts Citrus Soda
• 1 part Orange juice (Medium Pulp)
• Over ice, stirred

Lime Sherbert Punch

In a large punch bowl, empty the contents of a gallon of lime sherbert, preferably intact. You can soak the gallon bucket in a sink of warm water first to loosen up the sides, allowing the sherbert to slide out into the punch bowl. Also, if you don’t plan on using the bucket again, carefully tap a hole in the bottom with a knife to let air in and make the sliding process easier.

Cover the sherbert with citrus soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Serve. Add more citrus soda as needed until the sherbert is gone or fully melted into the liquid.

Five Alive Frozen Punch

If you did save that gallon bucket from your sherbert in the recipe above, use it here.

Mix Five Alive concentrate as the directions indicate. Five Alive works best, but is increasingly unavailable in some areas. Any citrus punch will do.

Add a small jar of maraschino cherries, juice and all. Stir and cover. Stick in the freezer, making sure there is enough room in the bucket for expansion of the liquid as it freezes.

An hour before serving, remove from the freezer. About 15 minutes before serving, pour citrus soda over the chunk of frozen goodness, using a fork to help break up the ice, turning it into slush. Transfer to a punch bowl or serve from the bucket. Enjoy!

For some “mocktails” that are specifically good during the holiday season, be sure to check out our Man’s Guide to the Holidays Ebook!

• 5 Classic Cocktails Every Man Should Know
• So You Want My Job: Bartender
• Soda Review: Which is the Best Cream Soda?
• Tired of Beer? Become a Soda Connoisseur
• Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer?

Image from boxelf

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Adam Cook.

If you love backpacking or just being outdoors, but always wanted to add something extra to the experience, then mountaineering is for you.  Mountaineering itself is a relatively simple sport; just make it up to the top of a chosen mountain.  The problem lies in the extreme range of situations you encounter as you pass through higher and higher altitudes, but it’s a welcome challenge for many that participate in the sport.  If you already know a bit about backpacking and being outdoors in general, it’s easy to transition to mountaineering and start bagging peaks in no time. There are just a few things you need to know.  Remember, a lot of this is dependent on how big the mountain is and how long you are going to be alone in the wilderness.  You would need far less food for an afternoon on Pikes than 40 days in Tibet climbing in the Himalayas.

1.  Terminology

Learning the mountaineering lingo is important when you start reading about climbing as well as to understand the rest of this article.  Mountains are often categorized by height.  In the US, a 14er is a mountain that is at least 14,000 feet.  The rest of the world goes by meters, so 4Kers to 8Kers are common.  A climb is also graded by ‘class,’ which is really determined by steepness and exposure.  A flat trail with no exposure to danger (i.e. a fatal fall) would be Class 1.  Class 2 and 3 are slightly steeper with some possibly challenging obstacles in the way.  Class 4 is mainly a hands-and-knees scramble, while Class 5 is technical climbing where both members are usually belaying one another.

2.  Basic Skills

Most 14ers in the US offer non-technical routes that can be climbed by any fit person.  Humboldt Peak in Colorado is my favorite Class 2/3 mountain due to the scenery and isolation.  Pikes and Longs are also classic lower class mountains, but they are often crowded during the summer months. But if you want to start seriously mountaineering, you are going to need to take up rock climbing.  Even large mountains like Everest are mainly class 2 and 3, but you want your technical skills to be rock solid (pun intended) when you reach the 20% of the climb that is technical.  You should be climbing 5.9’s at a local crag or rock gym with relative ease.

3.  Basic Gear

Protection and speed is the name of the game here.  I learned the hard way that a cheap tent is not going to hold up in a mountain storm with 80 mph winds and ice. Invest in a serious 4-season tent. This will be one of the most expensive things you buy, but without a tent, your trip is over.  You’re also going to want bivy gear and rain protection.  Bivy gear can be anything you need to set up a quick, temporary shelter.  Trash bags and a hiking pole work, but so does a 200 bivy sack from an online retailer.  Also remember to buy quality layering clothes. You’re only going to bring one set of clothes for an entire week in the mountains, so make sure it’s quality stuff! Here are some more specifics on what to bring:

One Day Lower Class Hike/Scramble-Up

• Day Pack: A small backpack.
  • Things to look for: We’re talking climbing here, not backpacking comfort.  The pack should be light and have no wrap-around belt or bulky padding.  It should be large enough to fit your camping stove (if you’re eating dehydrated meals), a rain jacket, and some para chord. If you’re only eating things like beef jerky and trail mix, you can skip the stove.
• Water Purification: On most mountains, there are opportunities for water on the way up.  But before gulping it down, you need to purify it.
  • Things to look for: In this kind of situation, you will want water purification tabs.  It doesn’t really make sense to boil water for a day hike, and it’s a ton of weight to carry if you know you don’t absolutely have to.  There are dual-packs of tablets that include iodine and an iodine remover that leaves the water clean and tasting pure.  If there are no water opportunities on the way up, you need to bring at least 4 Nalgene bottles worth of H2O.
• Rain Jacket: A lightweight jacket made of gore-tex or another waterproof, breathable material.  You need this EVEN if the weather is going to be sunny.  This jacket can be used to make a quick, makeshift shelter should the weather turn for the worse.  Bring para-chord or string along just for shelter or other random purposes.  It is very possible to get lost on a mountain, as silly as that sounds.  One day on Crestone Peak, two groups met at the top.  One group made it to the bottom and the other was never heard from again.
• Small First Aid Kit: An ace bandage and athletic tape is a very basic first aid kit.  You can use your iodine tabs to sterilize any wounds, so there’s no reason to bring the extra weight of sanitizing creams. You can also use the bandage and tape for a ton of other things, including make-shift gloves if there is a large crack on your route that you want to climb.
• Food: 2 meals would be sufficient, even one if you are going light or want to make breakfast or lunch non-cook only.  You need calories to perform at your best, and dehydrated meals are relatively inexpensive and super light.  I like to bring them just for the morale boost.  A cooked meal gives you ~30 minutes to sit, relax, and really take in the awesome scenery.  Keep in mind though, if you’re running behind on time and the weather looks like it’s turning, there may not be a lot of time to sit down and cook.  This is why I always bring a quick snack no matter what my plans are.
• Headlamp: You’re starting early, right?  Great!  So then a headlamp should be required since you’re starting before the sun comes up.  If it’s a short hike, possible if you camped half way up, still bring it.  If weather sets in and night falls, it is nearly impossible to navigate without a headlamp.  The headlamp should be able to fit around your helmet if you have one, and be adjustable to fit around your bare head.  Many climbers have been forced to stay on the mountain just because they were benighted without a headlamp.  It’s silly to try and justify not bringing an 8oz. headlamp.

Single Day Technical Climbs

This is mostly the same as above, as the great majority of a technical climb will still be hiking and scrambling.  But you need a few more things for a more advanced climb. Just to give you an idea, here’s some of the extra gear you would need for a technical 5th class pitch (a section of a route that is separated by areas suitable for belaying or resting).

• Helmet: This should be a certified climbing helmet that is made by a reputable brand.
  • Things to look for: The helmet should be adjustable.  During summer ascents it will go on your bare head but in the winter you will be wearing a cap or have your hood up.
• Dynamic Rope: This should be a bit longer than your longest pitch.  Most ropes are 60 to 70 meters.  If the pitches are very short (~75 feet), get a larger rope cut in 2 or order a shorter rope to use on short pitches.  I’ve had a 70m rope for a 50 foot pitch and it was really more of an inconvenience than anything.
  • Things to look for: It must be dynamic and must be a single rope.  Double ropes have their place but that’s neither here nor there.  It should also be a treated, waterproof rope.  Non-treated rope is good for sport climbing, but in the mountains there are too many opportunities for moisture to find its way to your rope and make for some heavy packing.
• Trad Gear: It’s best to take a class or at least read a few books on this subject.  A basic alpine rack consists of slings (nylon loops used to extend anchors if your path is zig-zaggy), plenty of locking and non-locking carabiners, cams, hexes, and nuts.  Those last 3 are all cramming devices that are inserted into cracks in the rock to serve as protective anchors.  This is your only lifeline, which is why I stress taking a class or getting some solid books and a little practice on the local crag before heading off on your own.

4.  How to Pack

Don’t be like me and take over 100 lbs of gear for your first week in the mountains.  You only need one extra set of boxers and 2 extra pairs of socks. You’re going to be wearing the same shirt and pants for your entire expedition.  Bring Gold Bond and baby wipes to take a makeshift ’shower.’  Put the Gold Bond into a plastic bag, same with the wipes.  You’re trying to pack everything you need for an entire week into 1 bag.  You obviously need food, but it should be the dehydrated kind and it should be taken apart and repacked.  Also bring a smaller bag for acclimatization hikes and summit pushes.  You don’t need 4 days of food for 5 hours away from camp. You want to be light and fast!

5.  Planning

There are tons of sources out there on mountain routes.  14ers.com is a good one for Colorado, and there are plenty of books available on larger mountains like the Matterhorn.  Be sure to read up before your trip.  Join a forum and ask questions.  Bring plenty of pictures with you, along with a compass and topo map of the area.  A mountain is very different in 2d than in 3d, so the more prepared you are, the less overwhelmed you will be.  Once you get there, allow at least one extra day should weather go sour or the route be more difficult than planned.  Always have a “plan B” in mind.  If the route is questionable, it’s good to have something else to do.  It’s hard to convince your ego that you can’t do something and to just turn around if it’s the sole reason you traveled so far.

6.  Acclimatization

If you’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be on top of a massive mountain, shove ice down your pants, grab a straw, and run up and down the stairs breathing through it to get a rough idea.  Note: don’t actually do that.  Acclimatization is a serious deal though.  Mountain sickness and Accute Cerebral/Pulmonary Edema are very real and very dangerous. You want to avoid this at all costs as it can be very fatal.  To acclimate, you want to slowly climb higher and higher.  This isn’t a huge deal at lower altitudes or one day trips, but it becomes a pressing issue above 10,000 feet when you’re going to be setting up a camp.  Also remember to sleep low and climb high.  Being at altitude can cause insomnia which can hinder your motivation and fitness.  It’s best to climb high and spend the afternoon there, then return to your lower camp to sleep and get a good night’s rest.  This is why climbers have numerous camps on large mountains.  They climb high and build the advance camp, then return to the lower camp to sleep.

7. Bits of advice

Remember to place your tent where it will be out of the wind.  Find a cove of boulders, trees, or dig out a ledge in the snow.  Mountain winds can also change over the course of several days so be prepared to move camp should the need arise.  Always remember to hydrate.  At altitude you need twice as much water as you would back at home.  If you feel a headache coming on, take it easy.  If things get worse, be prepared to kick your ego to the side and come down the mountain.  Weather can change in an instant on a mountain.  Afternoon thunderstorms are extremely common and lightning is very dangerous at altitude (think: you’re the highest point around for miles!).  Start climbing while it’s dark in the morning and plan to be headed down the mountain by early afternoon. A daring mountaineer is a short lived mountaineer.  The mountain will always be there next year.

• Getting in Touch with the Wilderness
• Backpacking Basics
• Help Hutch Climb Mount Kilimanjaro and Raise Money for Charity
• Mountain and Sackett Tie Giveaway: November 2009
• Streamline Your Next Camping Trip

Once again we return to our So You Want My Job series, in which we interview men who are employed in desirable jobs and ask them about the reality of their work and for advice on how men can live their dream.

Any man who has ever watched the Indiana Jones movies has had the thought of becoming an archaeologist cross his mind. Turns out the job is not quite like Indy’s adventures, but you do get to wear khaki pants and a hat, get really dirty, flee from snakes, and uncover relics of the past. Still pretty sweet.

1. Tell us a little about yourself (Where are you from? How old are you? Describe your job and how long you’ve been at it, ect).

My name is Dan, and I am 29. I have a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Minnesota State University, Mankato and am nearly finished with a Masters in Geographic Information Systems from St. Cloud State University which is also in Minnesota. I work for the U.S. Forest Service as part of their TEAMS Heritage Resource Enterprise Unit. We provide trained archaeologists for National Forests that need survey work done on the property they manage. Our team is unique as we don’t belong to any one National Forest, but are “deployed” as the need arises. Kind of like the archaeological version of the Special Forces. This year I will be working on projects in Texas, South Dakota, California, and Idaho. I’ve been working for TEAMS for almost a year, and worked as an archaeological field technician for private environmental firms for 3 years prior to joining the Forest Service.

2. Why did you want to become an archaeologist? When did you know it was what you wanted to do?

Although I grew up with a love of history and of the outdoors, I didn’t realize I wanted to be an archaeologist until I was 23 and was nearly finished with a totally unrelated college degree. I can pinpoint my decision to be an archaeologist to a single day. I was traveling overseas and was wandering around Sophia, Bulgaria and happened upon a museum of archaeology, which contained a really impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman archaeological artifacts. Staring at everything from ancient building columns, roman military battle gear, and even long buried sarcophaguses, I marveled at the thought of the experience of pulling something like that out of the ground and thought I would give it a try.

3. If a man wants to become an archaeologist, how should he best prepare?

Archaeology is one of those fields where you need a college degree, preferably in Anthropology or a closely related field such as History or Geography. Most have a degree in Anthropology. You can get work in the field with just a Bachelors degree, but if you want to lead crews and conduct your own research a Masters degree is needed. While you’re getting the degree, it’s also almost universally expected that you attend a “Field School,” usually a 4 to 6 week course that has you in the field for the first time learning how to dig in the dirt like a real archaeologist and becoming knowledgeable in the tools of the trade. In my case this involved living in a tent for six weeks working alongside 25 other students while we excavated a Native American site dating back to 1050 AD. At night we camped out under the stars, drank whiskey and listened to stories told by the college professor that was running the course. I was fortunate enough to have a really inspiring professor that knew how to get the best out of his students, and it was a really fantastic experience.

Besides the educational background, one should be comfortable working in the outdoors for long hours in all conditions. I’ve met archaeologists that seem to really dislike being outside, and I can not for the life of me figure out why they became archaeologists. Unless you are one of the few archaeologists that become college professors, you are going to spend a majority of your time outdoors, walking for miles on field surveys, digging for hours into the earth and generally getting completely filthy every day.

If you were the kid that always came home with dirt on you jeans and a bullfrog in your pocket, this might be the right job for you.

4. How do you go about getting hired for a dig? What sets a candidate apart from others when he’s vying for a job?

Most of the jobs for entry level archaeologists, also called “Shovel Bums,” involve working for Cultural Resource Management (CRM) firms on contracted survey projects, working for the company for an hourly wage as long as they have work for you to do, much like working for a building construction crew. You find out about these jobs largely through word of mouth, and through websites specifically intended for employers to post job details and their staffing needs. Then you send in your resume and hope for the best. Once you pay your dues as a Shovel Bum, you will hopefully be picked up as a Crew Chief, and start earning a 365 day a year salary with benefits. The fastest way to do this is to be recognized as reliable and hard working field technician, while at the same time working toward a specialization within the field of Archaeology, such as analysis of lithics (stone tools), pottery, or osteology (study of bones). My specific specialty is GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, which is used to map out archaeological sites and collect other data using GPS devices, computers and other digital devices. Basically, you have to make your self stand out, as just like in any other profession, there are plenty of people who are happy to just show up and punch the clock.

5. What is the best part of your job?

Reaching down into the dirt and picking up an arrowhead that hasn’t been held in 800 years or more. It gives an instant connection between you and the person that left it there so long ago.

6. What is the worst part of your job?

The time away from family due to the crazy amount of traveling I do. If I could do this job and still be at home every night for dinner, it would be the perfect career.

8. What’s the work/family/life balance like?

It’s tough. The term “Behind every great man is a great women” definitely applies here. Without my wife being as supportive as she is, there is no way I could have the career that I do. The most important thing is to leave work at work, and when I’m at home concentrate as much as I can on the relationship with my wife and family.

9. What is the biggest misconception people have about your job? Or in other words, how much does your life resemble that of Indiana Jones?

The biggest misconception is that I don’t dig up dinosaur bones. People confuse us with paleontologists all the time. Also, being an archaeologist is not nearly as exciting as the movies make it out to be. Archaeology is a process, and a very methodical one at that. Archaeology is a destructive science; once you remove soil and artifacts from the ground, they can never be returned exactly as they were found. We dig into the ground, removing 5-10 cm at a time so that the soil and the artifacts we remove can tell us the story of the past. It is our responsibility to convey that story to the rest of the world.

As for the Indiana Jones analogy, although there are dangers in the job, I have yet had to outrun a huge boulder or use my whip to disarm a Nazi. There are some similarities though. I am always traveling to new locales and working in areas of the country I’ve never experienced before. My hat is never far from my head, and khaki pants are part of the standard uniform. Snakes, especially rattlesnakes, are almost always an issue in many of the areas I work in. Other dangers include spiders, bears, and stumbling upon back country drug growing/manufacturing areas while on survey. I believe the real similarity between Indy and many of us mortal archaeologists is continuing to find the magic in human history and the cultures that came before us, and I doubt any archaeologist who spent part of theit youth in the 1980’s didn’t have Indy as a huge influence in deciding his career. How could you not?

No matter how hard they deny it, every archaeologist is a fan of Indiana Jones. Without him, our field wouldn’t seem nearly as romantic as it does. Whenever I travel to new projects I always bring at least one, if not all four Indy films with me, because it reminds me of the reasons I got into this job.

10. What’s a typical day like on a dig?

Managing an active dig site is like trying to keep multiple plates spinning at once. Everyone on the crew has a job to do, and everyone is doing it at the same time. Excavation crews are bringing down the “floor” of the excavation unit in 5-10cm levels, while some of the more artistically inclined are drawing and photographing the floors and walls to document the layers as they are removed and excavated further down. If artifacts are found, they are photographed in place, locations mapped in relation to the rest of the excavation unit, and removed. Technicians take data using GPS receivers to continue mapping out the site and its boundaries digitally. Elsewhere on the site, a geophysicist might be using ground penetrating radar to search for undiscovered features such as the remnants of old building foundations hidden under the ground.

I imagine watching a dig site from above is quite like standing over a busy ant hill.

11. What do archeologists do when they’re not on a dig?

The dig is only part of the scope of the project. After the field work, artifacts must be sorted, cleaned and cataloged. Data must be organized, analyzed and reports finalized. Grants need to be written and projects need to be bid on. Being in the field is the fun part. The rest of it keeps the business going.

12. What’s the coolest thing you’ve helped uncover?

A previously undiscovered Shoshone village in Utah. It all started with the discovery of one arrowhead and turned into the identification of a lost community.

13. Any other advice, tips, or anecdotes you’d like to share?

Even with all the education and training, if you become an archaeologist, you are probably never going to be rich beyond your wildest dreams. That’s just not how it works. Comfortable, probably. Filthy rich, probably not. The happiest and most successful archaeologists are the ones that genuinely love what they do. Take that into consideration before you invest all the time, tuition and weeks away from your family that is required for this field.

If you do pursue archaeology as a career, good luck. There are precious few jobs out there that allow you to use your brain as well as you brawn on a daily basis. For me a rainy day in the field beats a sunny day in the office any day.

• So You Want My Job: Antarctic Driller/Researcher
• So You Want My Job: Game Warden
• So You Want My Job: Golf Pro Instructor
• So You Want My Job: Farmer
• So You Want My Job: Peace Corps Volunteer

Last week, 3 college softball players in North Dakota drowned when the jeep in which they were riding became submerged in a pond merely 12 feet deep. While their deaths are still being investigated, authorities say that foul play was not a factor;  it was simply an unfortunate and tragic accident. What surprised me after reading the report is how frequently such accidents occur. According to some studies, over 10,000 water immersion auto accidents happen each year. Some people involved in these accidents survive; some do not. If you careened off the road and into a lake, would you know what to do?

While we all feel confident that we’d be able to escape, the reality of being inside a sinking car is far scarier than can be imagined.  The car fills up with water much faster than you’d think, you may be upside down, it’s dark, you’re disoriented, and panic quickly takes over. You have to know exactly what to do before splash down. So memorize the following tips.

How to Escape from a Sinking Car

Stay as calm as possible. When you have gallons of water filling your car, it’s hard not to panic. But when the difference between life and death comes down to a matter of minutes, having a clear head is essential to your survival. Panic is often the reason people drown; they lose the ability to think straight and don’t know what to do. The women in the North Dakota accident called their friends on their cellphones! But panic=death. Hyperventilating and wasting your energy on ineffective actions closes off the easiest options of escape, wastes precious oxygen and shortens the amount of time you’ll be able to hold your breath when making an escape. Just concentrate on what you need to do.

Keep your seatbelt on. Survival experts all agree that you should keep your seatbelt fastened until the very last second of escape. While this may seem counter-intuitive,  it actually makes a good deal of  sense. Water will be rushing into your car. If you’re not anchored to your seat, there’s a good chance you’ll be pushed away from the door or window that will serve as your escape hatch. Moreover, it’s easy to get disoriented when you’re floating around in the cabin of your car. This is especially true if your car flips upside down. Finally, being anchored to your car seat can give you more leverage to break the side window than you would have if you were floating in the water.

Do not wait for the pressure to equalize! When your car starts really sinking, the differential between the pressure outside the car and inside the car makes opening the door impossible. So people are commonly told to wait until the car fills completely with water in order for the pressure inside and outside of it to equalize, at which point you will supposedly be able to open the door. But two shows, Mythbusters and Top Gear have tested this theory and found it wanting. The inside/outside pressure will eventually equalize, but it won’t happen just as soon as the car fills up with water. It takes a bit longer, so long that you’ll likely drown before it happens. It is possible if you are patient, calm, and conserve your oxygen, but don’t count on it.

Watch Top Gear test out this theory:

Get out immediately through the door! Your best chance for survival is to open the door as soon as you hit the water. You should be able to get the door open up until the point that the water has reached your waist. After that, the pressure from the water outside the car will prevent you from opening the door. Of course, if you just accidentally drove or fell into a body of water, you’re going to be somewhat in shock and disoriented. You may not have the presence of mind to open the door before the pressure becomes too great. If so, you need a Plan B.

Roll down or break a window. If you can’t get the door open, the window is your best chance for escape. If the waterline has not risen past the windows, try rolling down the window first. Contrary to popular belief, Mythbusters found that automatic windows don’t immediately short circuit underwater. But as the car sinks, the pressure of the water will prevent you from rolling them down. This is even the case with manual windows. Even if you’ve got Popeye-sized biceps, you won’t be be able to overcome the pressure and roll down the windows. You’ll probably just break the crank.

So if rolling down the window doesn’t work, you’ll need to break the side window to escape. This is actually harder than you might think as the windows are made of strong, tempered glass.  While the windshield is easier to shatter, they’re designed to be unbreakable and are laminated with a plastic sheet that could keep you trapped in the car. If you’ve been doing your push-ups and pull-ups, you might be able to break the side window with your elbow or fist. Aim for the center of the window. But this is extremely difficult. The water significantly slows down the force of your movements. The Mythbusters were unable to break it with a kick from a steel-toed boot. Even if you are able to punch it through, your risk cutting up your hands on the broken glass. Remember the scene at the beginning of Karate Kid II when Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese punched through some car windows? Yeah, your hands could look like that.  Wrapping your hand in something can help reduce the chance of slicing them up.

Your best option is to have some sort of device in your car at all times that allows you to easily break your windows in case of an emergency. The LifeHammer or ResQMe keychain are two tools you might want to consider keeping in your car or on your keychain. They both have a hardened steel tip that makes breaking strongly tempered windows a breeze. The LifeHammer and ResQMe keychain also have a cutting device that will cut through a seat belt if you find that you can’t unbuckle yourself. Keep them in a place that will be immediately accessible in case of an accident; you don’t want to be rummaging through your glove compartment as your car fills with water.

Escape through the window. If the waterline is still below the car window, escaping from the window will be pretty easy. If the waterline is past the window, keep in mind that as soon as you break the window, you’ll be hit with a flood of water. But you should still be able to swim out. Watch Adam from Mythbusters “break” the window and make his escape:

Escape through the door. If escaping through the window is not an option, then your last resort is to wait for the pressure differential to equalize. Try to remain as calm as possible. Don’t waste your energy and oxygen fruitlessly trying to open the door before the car is completely filled. As soon as it is, wait a few seconds more and then give it a try.

Swim to safety. Push off the car and swim to the surface. If you’re disoriented and don’t know which way is up, look for bubbles and follow the direction they’re going.

What to Do with Passengers

First, don’t open the door to make your escape. While you might be able to get out, the car will quickly fill with water and sink rapidly, possibly trapping your passengers in a watery grave. Instead, roll down or break the window.

Escaping from a sinking car is hard enough by yourself. But what if you have passengers? The first goal is to keep them calm. Take control of the situation by explaining exactly what you’re about to do. When people see there’s a plan, they’ll usually calm down. Tell them to leave their seat belts on until you’re about to make the escape. Try to make your escape from a single front window.  They’re bigger than the rear passenger windows. Plus it makes it easier to ensure that everyone has left the car safely if they go through a single exit.

• How To Break Down A Door
• How to Exit a Room Like a Man
• How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid
• How To Survive and Thrive In a Street Fight in 8 Simple Steps
• So You Want My Job: Antarctic Driller/Researcher

While many of you have been following The Art of Manliness since we started back in 2008, some of you are fairly new readers. To help you new arrivals get the most out of AoM and navigate around our extensive archives and community section, we’ve compiled this beginner’s guide.

First a note: There’s a TON of stuff here. We don’t recommend that you go through it all in one sitting. It will probably take you days to go through everything on AoM. Bookmark this page and come back to it from time to time to do some more exploring.

Why The Art of Manliness?

We’re often asked why we started a site called The Art of Manliness. We explain that on our About page and also go into a little bit about the philosophy of the site. Check it out.

Also, make sure to check out our FAQ. It might answer some of the questions you may have about the site.

The Archives

We’ve written over 500 articles here at AoM about a variety of topics. I highly recommend surfing through our archives to see what we have to offer. There are lots of gems.

If you don’t want to waste your time going through every single post in our archives, each month we compile a list of the most popular posts of the month. Here are all the lists since Jan. 2008:

• Best of Art of Manliness: March 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: April 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: May 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: June 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: July 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: August 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: September 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: October 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: November 2008
• Best of Art of Manliness: February 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: March 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: May 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: June 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: July 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: August 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: September 2009
• Best of Art of Manliness: October 2009

Movie and Books Lists

Over the past two years we’ve compiled lists of books and movies that we think men would enjoy. Check them out!

• Movies for Men
• Books for Men

Popular Series on AoM

Every now and then we’ll have a series of articles that focus on a particular theme. Here are our three most popular series.

• Benjamin Franklin Virtue Series- In this series we analyzed one of Benjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues each week and offered suggestions on how men can live those virtues on a daily basis.
• 30 Days to a Better Man- In June 2009, we ran a series called “30 Days to a Better Man.” Each day we created a task for Art of Manliness readers to complete that would help them improve in different facets of their lives such as relationships, fitness and health, career, and personal finances. Check out the series online or download our popular 30 Days to a Better Man eBook.
• So You Want My Job- Ever wanted to know what’s it’s like to be a movie director? How about a farmer? In the So You Want My Job series we interview a different man each week who has the sort of job that lots of men covet. If you’re trying to figure out what you want to be when you “grow up,” check out this series. You might just get inspired.

Comment Policy

One of the great things about blogs is that it allows readers to comment on articles. It’s our goal to create a community of readers who are actively engaged with the site. We pride ourselves on the level of maturity and civility that the comments on AoM have. To ensure that the discussion stays civil and on point, we have established a comment policy. Please read it.

The Community

The blog isn’t the only part of the Art of Manliness site. If you’d like to connect with other men who are interested in rediscovering the lost art of manliness, make sure to join the Community. We have over 5,000 registered members from all over the world. In the Community, you can

• Take part in one of the hundreds of discussions going on
• Share manly pics
• Write a blog post about a manly skill
• Join groups with like minded men

The Book

In October 2009, we published a book based on The Art of Manliness website. It includes some of our most popular posts, which have been edited and improved, along with brand new material that has never appeared on the website (about 30% of the book is brand new). It also includes lots of great illustrations.

If you enjoy the Art of Manliness website, you can now have some of our best advice all in one place, in one comprehensive, nicely formatted, handsomely illustrated whole. The Art of Manliness book is also fantastic for the husband, brother, boyfriend, or son that you’ve been trying to turn on to the website. The book is perfect for both boys and men who want to better themselves.

Pick up a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon.com, or buy a signed copy directly from us.

eBooks

We’ve written a few eBooks that are available for download. Some are free and some cost money. Give them a look through.

• Guide to Being a Gentleman
• The Art of Manliness Man Cookbook
• 30 Days to a Better Man
• Man’s Guide to the Holidays

The Podcast

In September 2009, we started a weekly podcast at the Art of Manliness. In just two months, the podcast has attracted over 40,000 iTunes subscribers. In the AoM podcast, Brett interviews authors and experts about topics of interest to men. Every other week the podcast dedicates itself to the series called “Man Stories” in which Brett asks a different AoM reader what it means to be a man.

Check out the episodes from the beginning here.

Also, make sure to subscribe to the Art of Manliness Podcast via iTunes

Or through the subscription service of your choice.

YouTube Videos

We’ve also created a few how-to videos on manly skills. Give them a watch. They’re short, but you’ll definitely walk away learning something new.

• How to Fold a Pocket Square
• How to Carve a Turkey
• How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife
• How to Tie a Tie
• How to Tie Seven Basic Knots

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on our video updates. We plan on doing more videos in the future.

T-shirts

Show off your manly pride with one of our 6 Art of Manliness t-shirts designed by the gents at TankFarm Clothing.

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If you use Facebook, join the Art of Manliness Page. Every day we post links to interesting stuff from around the web that would be of interest to AoM readers. We also occasionally have special contests for Facebook Fans.

The same goes with Twitter. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest AoM updates and links to interesting stuff around the web. We’ve also included a twitter list of people and sites that we recommend you follow. Follow the AoM Recommends list to get the best in men’s interest material.

• Best of Art of Manliness, March 2008
• The Art of Manliness Podcast Episode #9: An Interview with Wayne Levine from BetterMen.org
• The Best of Art of Manliness: August 2009
• The Best of Art of Manliness: March 2009
• The Best of Art of Manliness: May 2008