Books News

Too much machismo in these manly tales

By Jessica Schneider May 20, 2009, 10:56 GMT

Stories of heroism, exploration and sacrifice that will inspire boys to be courageous, honorable and open to adventure Tales of brave and selfless deeds used to be part of every boy\'s education. We grew up sharing stories with our fathers, uncles and grandfathers of how great men had lived their lives, met their challenges, reached their goals and faced their deaths. Becoming a man was ...more

One AP reviewer notes that “Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys” are a bit “too macho.”

The reviewer also notes: “It's a premise that some might find old-fashioned, even insulting.”

According to the product description:

“Stories of heroism, exploration and sacrifice that will inspire boys to be courageous, honorable and open to adventure.

Tales of brave and selfless deeds used to be part of every boy's education. We grew up sharing stories with our fathers, uncles and grandfathers of how great men had lived their lives, met their challenges, reached their goals and faced their deaths. Becoming a man was about comradeship and standing by your friends whatever the circumstances. And it meant that sometimes it was more important to die a hero than live a coward's life.

Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys is packed with classic stories of courage and heroism from around the world, including: D-Day and Omaha Beach; the Charge of the Light Brigade; the Battle of Dien Bien Phu; the Siege of the Alamo; the Moonwalkers and Apollo 13; the Flight of the Nez Perces; Josiah Harlan and the Trouble with Afghanistan; the Demons of Camerone; the Battle of Isandlwana; the Yangtze Incident; the Battle of Trafalgar; Shackleton's Boat Journey; Scott of the Antarctic; Thermopylae; the Revolutionary War Naval Battle of John Paul Jones and the Bonhomme Richard.”

The reviewer also notes: “At the least, the book keeps alive the glory of a number of fantastic figures. But it's not clear that boys who read it will grow up to be any more manly — or that they'll want to.”

William Morrow is the publisher. Visit the AP review here.