It's time for another books every man should read blog post, this time best books on masculinity.
Usually, a list of books every man should read for Masculinity is long and has similar books in them.
So I decided to make my list of best books for men in this category a bit different.
Firstly, the list is short and includes books that are legendary. Secondly, I included a few relatively new and less well-known books that have a lot of value in them.
If you are busy like me then you don't have hours every day to read, so getting the best books of a certain category is helpful so that you dont waste more time.
With that being said let get into my list of books every man should read, best Masculinity books.
The Best Books On Masculinity:
Conquering the Impossible: My 12,000-Mile Journey Around the Arctic Circle – By Mike Horn.
Mike Horn is a Swiss/South African adventurer and has lived an insanely interesting life.
The book is about how Mike set out on a mission that bordered on the impossible.
His goal was to travel 12,000 miles around the globe at the Arctic Circle.
He would do this alone, against all prevailing winds and currents, and without motorized transportation.
This is an incredible story about how the grueling 27-month expedition almost took his life several times.
If you have ever thought you are having a tough day then read this book to redefine what tough means.
Mike Horn's book “Conquering the Impossible: My 12,000-Mile Journey Around the Arctic Circle” is a true account of his incredible and awe-inspiring exploration of one of the harshest places on Earth.
Not only does he navigate through treacherous terrain but he does it all without a support team and carries all of his equipment for this expedition solo.
He displays an amazing capacity for self-sustainability and resilience as he travels from Norway to Alaska on foot and by kayak, sailing over open seas, crossing glaciers using nothing but skis.
Tackling fierce storms with rock-climbing ropes, confronting wild animals in their natural habitats, and worst of all ill-prepared for the psychological effects that came with spending nine months alone in the Arctic Circle.
Mike Horn's journey is an insight into unbridled courage and sheer determination.
His book is sure to be an inspiring read full of anecdotes about his intrepid adventures.
Conquering the Impossible
The Code. the Evaluation. the Protocols: Striving to Become an Eminently Qualified Human -By Jocko Willink.
Jocko Willink has written a few best-sellers but this book is probably his least well-known book.
The former Navy Seal writes about his Protocols for becoming an Eminently qualified human.
In short, this book is about standards, standards for everything you do in life, and how to prepare for whatever comes at you.
The book “The Code. the Evaluation. the Protocols: Striving to Become an Eminently Qualified Human” by Jocko Willink focuses on providing a road map for personal success and well-being.
It covers practical advice on topics such as resilience, prioritising tasks,dealing with criticism and developing leadership qualities.
The goal of the book is to encourage readers to strive for excellence in every aspect of their lives, even in difficult times.
Willink shares his own experiences throughout the book, interspersed with stories from other great achievers to illustrate the messages he wants to impart.
It has been praised by many for helping people find direction and instilling discipline in order to reach their goals.
This is an essential read for anyone looking forward in commanding their own life and building a successful future.
This book is loaded with clear strategies and solutions to living life. If you enjoyed Extreme Ownership then you will enjoy this one.
The Code. the Evaluation. the Protocols
Breathe: A Life in Flow -By Rickson Gracie, Peter Maguire.
The story of one of the greatest martial artists to ever walk the planet.
Rickson Gracie is arguably the most well-known member of the legendary Gracie family.
If you heard about Brazilian JiuJitsu then you probably heard about the Gracie family, Gracie Jiujitsu and Rickson Gracie.
This is the full story from the streets of Rio De Janeiro, fighting in Tokyo, and everything in between and after.
Rickson Gracie, a legendary master of Brazilian jujitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), invites readers to revisit his remarkable career with the unveiling of his memoir.
Tracing back four generations in Brazil's renowned fighting dynasty, this riveting publication offers insights on how an intricate connection between mind and body is essential for success – both inside and outside the ring.
With hundreds of victories across various locations -from street fights to mats at beaches- from 1977 until 2000; Rickson earned recognition from elite martial artists such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Jackie Chan, among others.
Without the legendary Gracie family, MMA and UFC as we know them today would not exist. It was their prowess in Jujitsu that made them world-renowned martial arts pioneers.
They also had a monopoly on Vale Tudo – the “anything goes” style of Brazilian street fighting – which ultimately led to Ultimate Fighting Championships becoming one of the highest-grossing sports empires worldwide with an estimated worth of four billion dollars.
Rickson Gracie, feared martial arts master and undefeated champion fighter, lifts the veil on his epic life story with Breathe.
Rickson reveals a captivating journey from humble beginnings growing up in Rio to eventually asserting himself as one of the most famous competitors within his legendary family's legacy of Brazilian Jujitsu.
Struggling through tragedy along the way, he also imparts invaluable lessons – such as how pride and ego can inhibit success – which shaped him into an incomparable force both inside and outside of competition.
You dont have to be a Jiujitsu practitioner to appreciate this book that is rich with stories of an incredible life lived by Rickson Gracie.
Breathe: A Life in Flow
The Way of Men -By Jack Donovan.
The Way of Men is a legendary book in men's communities.
The author Jack Donovan goes back to basics and asks the quistion:
What is Masculinity?
He answers this question by laying out the fundamental values of being a man.
There are many different opinions of what it means to be a man but Donavon takes it back to foundational values that form the core of masculinity.
He does a great job of laying these fundamentals out in his book.
The Way of Men, written by Jack Donovan, is an enlightening work which puts focus on a important yet often underrepresented subject: traditional masculine virtue.
Throughout the book, Donovan makes a convincing argument through his detailed and articulate analysis of what he deems to be the four essential traits of masculine identity:
Strength, honor, mastery, and solidarity – and how these traits shape our notion of manhood.
Drawing upon historical examples as well as recent events to compliment his own experiences, Donovan paints a compelling narrative about modern masculinity that serves as both a call-to-arms for men everywhere and a blueprint for those looking to find their place in the world.
Whether one agrees with every point or not, The Way of Men provides an intriguing look into the true meaning behind traditional masculinity.
Strength, mastery, Courage, and Honor:
This is The Way Of Men.
The Way of Men
The Book of Five Rings: A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword -By Miyamoto Musashi.
The Book Of The Five Rings is probably the most famous martial arts text ever written.
In fact, he is probably the most famous Japanese Samurai ever to walk the earth, Miyamoto Musashi.
The man mastered his craft of being the ultimate warrior and then went to a cave in his final days to write down his secrets and share them with the world.
“The Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi is a book that has become a timeless classic in the field of martial arts.
Written by the famous 17th-century swordsman and philosopher, it is an instructional guide on strategy, tactics and philosophy.
Each of the five texts of the book cover topics such as strategy, psychology, technique and different forms of combat, with the main goal to help provide readers with practical tools for application in real life situations.
It is perfect for those interested in learning about martial arts and can benefit from Musashi's centuries-old wisdom on how to be successful as both a warrior and an individual.
The “Book of Five Rings” will make any reader think deeper about their decision making processes, teaching important lessons applicable to everyday life.
You dont have to be a sword fighter or martial artist to appreciate the genius in the philosophy and strategies shared in this book.
The Book of Five Rings
The One That Got Away: My SAS Mission Behind Enemy Lines – By Chris Ryan.
I have previously written about the book Bravo Two Zero written by Andy McNab when I published my best war books reading list.
The story was about the Special Air Service (British Special Forces) patrol that got compromised behind enemy lines in the first gulf war in Iraq.
This book “The one that got away” is written by the one patrol member that managed to escape. His name is Chris Ryan(Real name Colin Armstrong) former member of 23 SAS.
“The One That Got Away: My SAS Mission Behind Enemy Lines” by Chris Ryan is a gripping and harrowing account of his time spent in extraordinary circumstances as a member of the British Special Air Service.
His story of survival and resilience throughout an eight-day mission deep behind enemy lines makes for an entirely immersive reading experience.
Ryan offers vivid detail about his unique journey, painting pictures with his powerful narrative and gradually drawing readers into what is sure to be an life-altering story.
This book deserves recognition for the gripping firsthand account of life on the frontlines, giving a voice to those whose stories so often go unheard.
Chris Ryan is also a fiction writer and has written extensively under his pseudonym Chris Ryan.
“The one that got away” is a great story of courage, determination,grit, and the will to live by a legendary SAS soldier.
The One That Got Away
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine – by Douglas Gillette and Robert L. Moore.
This book is one of the books that you will find on many reading lists and for good reason.
This is a classic philosophical text on masculinity.
This book was written by a psychologist that focuses on Jungian psychology.
And this book is framed through the lens of Jungian archetypes.
In his compelling book, “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine,” authors Douglas Gillette and Robert L. Moore present their thoughtful exploration of four archetypal energies that relate to the male experience across cultures.
They suggest that understanding these essential elements of masculinity can help promote personal growth for all men looking for a sacred approach to living as a self-actualized individual.
With a unique contemporary psychological perspective, this book provides readers insight into how male psychology has been expressed through symbolism across centuries.
The book offers the potential for exploring one's own inner landscape in order to discover deeper connections with those around them.
The book focuses on the four archetypal energies.
The author is of the opinion that in order to become a complete man you should have a good balance between all 4 of these energies.
The author explains how to develop these energies and make the best use of them.
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
Alpha Mindset – A Guide For Men: How To Build Self-Confidence, Dream Big, Overcome Fear, And Build Better Relationships – By John Winters.
I couldn't make this list without including my own book Alpha Mindset.
Alpha mindset is a guide on how to develop a powerful Alpha Mindset and create the world that you really want through doing the work necessary for that goal.
The key to getting what you want is by Mindset work and this is what most men miss when starting their life mission.
Many of us feel confined, unable to take the steps required for living our dream life.
We may not recognize it, but something is indeed holding us back – ourselves!
Our thoughts and beliefs shape how we view the world around us, influencing what path we choose in life and consequently determining how others interact with us.
A man's mind truly serves as a mirror which reflects his innermost convictions outwardly onto all that are present.
To make progress towards a more satisfying life journey, one must first acknowledge this invisible force within them before they can create meaningful change outside themselves.
This book will give you the tools to overcome adversity and excel in any environment.
Alpha Mindset – A Guide For Men
Conclusion
So this has been my list of best books for men on masculinity.
Hope you enjoyed it and if you want to check out my other reading lists you can do so by going to the book category on my website.
Until next time.
