What are the books that every man should read? I looked on-line for just such a list, but couldn't find one, so I thought we could put one together. I know we have had some lists here before, but they were usually short and for a summer read, business, economics, or other specific theme. I'm more looking for a broad listing of books (or stories) that every guy should read at least once. It doesn't have to be great literature, just a good read. Something that touches guys And yes, I know this could get really long if enough folks respond... Here's a start, from some I've read over the years (and looking at my bookshelf), in no particular order... Into The WIld by Jon Krakauer (Just read this after putting it off way too long. It was a gift from my wife at Christmas, and is kind of what inspired this post, BTW, a GREAT book). Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James Hornfischer Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee On the Road by Jack Kerouac The Source by James Michener 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis Oh, I'll leave it to one of our female cohorts to start a women's list...
I've read most of those and my questions is- what makes them more specific/applicable for guys vs. women?
Nothing says a woman couldn't or wouldn't read or enjoy these, But I'm looking for stuff that would more likely appeal more to a man or boy than to a woman or girl, or that one guy would think other guys might enjoy. Heck, fo all I know, someone might list a a bunch of romance novels...
Some Stephen Ambrose selections: Band of Brothers D-Day Undaunted Courage (there are plenty of others, but those are my favorites) McMurtry: Lonesome Dove (yes, there are sequels, but the first is still the best -- and worth a re-read every few years) Others: Death in the Long Grass A View From a Tall Hill (both of these are books on hunting in Africa) Sex, Death, and Flyfishing Standing in a River, Waving a Stick (both of these are John Geirach collections of essays, on both fishing and life, and the interesting overlap between them. They are simply fantastic.) Isaac's Storm (the story of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane) PJ O'Rourke's "Parliament of Whores" -- really, any of the PJ O'Rourke books of political commentary are great. Pointed and funny as hell. And he's all about booze, cigars, and personal freedom -- guy subjects if I ever heard one. That should be a fair start.
If you like political / science 'fact'-ion type books, these are my favorite. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
also, though it's been tarnished by crappy movies, I think "The Count of Monte Cristo" qualifies as a good guy's book. It's a good read if you like revenge.
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole Also, I'm with Brisket on P.J. O'Rourke. His first book, called A Bachelor's Home Companion is a MUST read by every male. Modern Day Manners for Rude People is right up there with it. And all of his political books are great. He offers such advice as: - keep your sheets clean by getting drunk and falling asleep with your clothes on. - he says you don't need measure cups. Handful=half a cup, half a handful = quartercup, mouthful (liquid measure only) = one cup. - To attract the most attention, a woman should either be nude or wearing something as expensive ast gettiner her nude is going to be. - Never refuse a drink. Anyone who doesn't drink must be an alcoholic. - Guns are the best method for suicide. Drugs are too chancy. You might miscalculate and just have a good time.
Some that came to mind and have not been listed: A River Runs Through It Wild At Heart The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Freakonomics Eat The Rich
All I can say is that I read "Helter Skelter" in high school and it scared the absolute **** out of me.
Out of everything listed I've read: The Old Man and The Sea A River Runs Through It Far and away the two shortest books on this list. "The Old Man" is a little over 100 pages and I think "A River" is actually under 100 pages. I know that my class read "Huck Finn", which means that I read most of the Cliffs Notes for it and probably the same for "Tom Sawyer". I would get so lost in reading the Cliffs Notes on the books that were assigned, that sometimes I would read 5 chapters when only 3 were assigned. (I was a "word - by -word" reader, so it usually took me about 4 to 5 times as long to read as my classmates. And I wasn't going to read for 2+ hours for only one class.) My addition to this list- THE GAME
Into the Wild is a great book, but Into Thin Air, also by Krakauer, is one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read. Also, The Right Stuff is a must read for every man. The baddest asses of all badasses were the original test pilots and astronauts. Especially Chuck Yeager.
Some good selections here. I've read Confederacy of Dunces and thought it was hilarious. That said, I don't know that it's for everyone, or even for men in particular. Into the Wild is a fantastic book for restless young men. It's wonderfully written, and was one of the only books that's made me cry. Another being... The Road. This is a truly great modern book about the uncompromising love a father has for his son. I throw out two more suggestions for those who like a good historical adventure: Manhunt (a fast-paced novel-style take on the search for John Wilkes Booth) and Agent Zig-Zag (about an English double-agent during WWII).
Robinson Crusoe Undaunted Courage Down the Great Unknown The River Why Golf in the Kingdom Dracula Friday Night Lights
Gone With the Wind is an excellent book. Not a real guy's guy book but it's a fantastic read and is very historical.
A few books my dad and I shared: The Monkey's Wrench - Primo Levi - great book about the pleasures of working A Fan's Notes - Football, heavy drinking, chasing skirts, great writing, serious despair. Roddy Doyle - The Snapper. Moby Dick - men being men, homoerotically. A Hero of our time - Lermontov Sanctuary - Faulkner - Faulkner's take on pulp.
