Be a Man!: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be

Wow! I listened to a recording of a talk on this topic by Fr. Richards in which he mentioned the book, and I immediately went out and bought the book, and I am glad I did. Each chapter covers one characteristic of a true man - being faithful, being strong, repentance, being loving and so on. The trick is, how do you become those things? Fr. Larry describes them well, gives biblical support for his teaching and gives examples, but the focus of all of this book is really being faithful to God and submitting to the Holy Spirit who then leads you toward being a man.The style of the book is very straightforward and even fun, but the content is so deep that I found myself rereading entire chapters just to make sure I got it all. And then...the practical part. How do you become the man you should be? At the end of each chapter are three things that you must do. They are practical things that will lead your toward being the man God wants you to be.You can't do it on your own, of course, but these things you must do will help open you up to God and put you in the right frame of mind to listen to God and do what God tells you. It is the practical nature of the book, even more than Fr. Larry's style that makes this book so worthwhile.I will be buying a copy of this book for each of my sons and also for some friends who I know will benefit from it. It has become such a cliche to say that a book will change your life, but implementing what this book teaches really will change your life. Reading it isn't enough. You will have to put the ideas into practice, and that won't be easy, but it will change you for the better, which is something we can all use.

I bought this book for my son who wanted it, and when it arrived I decided to preview it myself to see if it were appropriate for the other men on my Christmas list. I ordered six more copies! Since then I have ordered three more! The book is great!This book is very easy reading, as you feel that Fr. Larry is standing right in front of you, talking right to you. He addresses the readers as "gentlemen," but you could substitute your own name very easily to make it seem like Fr. Larry is speaking to you personally.Fr. Larry substantiates almost everything he says with Scripture. I was impressed to find passages from Scripture on almost every page. Anecdotes - sometimes humorous - and stories from Father's own life, stories and quotes of the saints, popes and other Christians like Billy Graham, all support the point he is trying to make in each chapter. No one could ever accuse this book of being boring!This book is very practical too. At the end of each of the ten chapters is a list of three tasks to be accomplished, along with three questions for reflection and discussion. At the end of the book the thirty tasks are recapped with checkboxes so you can check them off as you accomplish them.Although this book was written for men, there are several chapters which could apply to women also. Father admittedly suggests that chapter nine about holiness is not for just men, as we are ALL called to be holy. I also found the chapters about repentance and the Holy Spirit very helpful, as again, women also are called to repent and to live a life in the Holy Spirit. I especially liked Father's explanations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, since many people do not understand those gifts. So, women, I suggest you buy this book for the man or men in your life, and do as I did and read it first. But don't read it in public, because if someone sees the title and sees you reading it, they may get the wrong idea!Seriously though, if every man who reads this book would do exactly what it says, and become the man God created him to be, this world would be a much better place.June Klins

Fifteen years in print and still relevant. Wonderful guide for training into becoming the men that God expects us to be. Become a saint.

This is an extremely engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring read. Steeped in Catholic Orthodoxy, yet quite acceptable to our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters, Father Larry is a no nonsense, gloves off kind of guy which is exactly the kind of man our culture needs preaching to it. Yet Father Larry is always loving and gentle, taking care to note how it is only by God's grace that we are able to do anything and that we are to never judge an individual. Many people have already said many excellent things, so I will just add a quick word. It is true that this book should be read by every man, especially men who are struggling, lost, confused, angry, etc. What makes it possible for someone like that to read this book is the fact that the first chapter is sooooo especially good. I would encourage anyone who knows someone that they would like to read this book to buy it for them and tell them to "just read the first chapter." It really is the kind of first chapter that will get someone hooked, inspire them, and make them realize that there is more to this book than just another book about you and God.Part of what makes the book so helpful is the practical advice. Father Larry gives examples of things you should be doing everyday and challenges you to do it. You simply don't feel comfortable reading the book and what he tells you to do without doing it, and that is the kind challenge men need in their lives. This book provides a serious reflection and motivation concerning what it means to be a man of God.

Well written book. Has got a lot of practical and insightful tips on how to live the Christian life for men. Easy to read and understand. Highly recommend it for men who want to live the Christian way of life.

Very instructive and enlightning

Excellent book highly recommended

Came on time. Great book.

Wonderful stocking stuffer - Surprisingly- Very positive response from all the men ages fr 18- 60.