The Way Of Men is a book, by Jack Donovan, about masculinity and what it means to be a man.
A real man.
Not some postmodern, feminist beta male with a top knot.
What is masculinity?
In his book, Jack explores the idea of masculinity and what it means, as well as the virtues that define manhood or ‘being a man’.
He argues that modern society has lost sight of the core masculine virtues: strength, courage, mastery and honour.
Contemporary norms have pushed men towards a feminised, domesticated version of masculinity and have diluted these virtues, which were crucial for the survival of men’s ancestors.
In other words, men no longer celebrate:
- Strength: This is about physical power and toughness, vital for a man’s ability to protect and assert dominance. It’s about being strong enough to fight and endure hardship. I recommend listening to my conversation with former powerlifter Mark Rippetoe about the importance of strength training.
- Courage: This is the will to face danger and take risks. It’s the ability to confront fear and stand up against threats, physical and mental.
- Mastery: This involves skill and competence, the drive to excel and control one’s environment. It’s about being good at what you do and constantly improving. I recommend listening to my conversation with one of the world’s top bladesmiths and Forged in Fire judge, J Neilson.
- Honour: This is loyalty and integrity within a group, the respect and reputation earned among peers. It’s about living up to a code and being accountable.
Another thing that Jack says is that men need to embrace their primal selves and focus on being good at being men rather than just being good men.
I have found what he says to be true.
There are a lot of males around, but not many men.
For example, a husband who gets drunk and hits his wife is not acting honourably and should be held accountable by his group (or tribe) of other men. Because men hold men accountable.
A ‘bro code’ if you will.
Conversation
Jack and I essentially chatted about the content of his book and all things masculinity.
Being a male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of choice.
Edwin Louis Cole
