Men are not created equal. There’s always someone taller or who can bench press more, or can have an uncanny resemblance to Robert Downey Jr. Or simply be born as Iron Man. However, there are parts of the human male brain that are equal as my hypothesis states. It’s a region that states that anything that itches must and will be scratched, or that crying is just the same as blackmail.
Given the commonality of how man’s brains work, I dare to extend my hypothesis into stating that even in the realm of literature, there are books that all men should read. It is an indigenous list for homo-erect entities born with Y chromosomes.
48 Laws of Power
Robert Greene and Joost Elffers
©Robert Greene and Joost Elffers
Thousands of years’ worth of struggle with the world and with ourselves and a book like this is bound to be published. 48 Laws of Power is a culmination of multiple philosophies including Machiavellian, Sun-Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz among many others. Great and humble laws such as Never Outshine the Master makes one reflect upon the past while rules like Conceal your Intentions or Crush your Enemy Totally just screams domination over others.
The Godfather
Mario Puzzo
©G.P. Putnam’s Sons
If you want to perfect the accent, rent the trilogy. But if you want to get a genuine feel of the exploits done by the real mafia (not the current “gangsters” prowl all over Los Angeles that can’t make music to save their lives), the novel is the only cure for that. Action, betrayal, and loyalty, nothing comes close to Puzo’s painting of a family tainted with blood and feared by all.
The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli
Photo from Powerbooks.com
This is some old school literature. Legitimate fear and awe comes to readers as Machiavelli unveils his philosophies regarding control over others, his views on political paradigms, and self reliance. His characters stem from the need to show the alternative, more realistic yet uglier paths in life. Don’t even think of reading this on a warm summer’s day. This is one of those books you read in front of a blazing fireplace.
The Art of War
Sun-Tzu
Photo from Powerbooks.com
This book has been teaching China how to kick political and military ass since 6th century BC. Its genius resonates from one millennium to the next as its texts’ value and truth remain until today. The vision and discipline behind the book has inspired countless of others to create their own objective-driven texts, as well as lifestyles. There’s no counting how many men, cities, or even countries have fallen behind its philosophy.
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Copyrighted photo from Wikipedia under Fair Use
Unorthodox as the book may seem, this book provides a unique view of non-traditional economics through the collective articles written by Levitt. It is a refreshing read given its insights and how they show the change in modern day economics and how history molded it so. Although most of the examples given in the book focus on modern day America, it’s still a book that each man should explore.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Photo from richdad.com
Man deserves to be in the wilderness of independence. And for guys to achieve King of the Jungle status, Rich Dad Poor Dad gives a set of parables coming from the author’s life, on how to deal with financial independence through thorough investing, micro-businesses, and the roundabouts of protecting one’s financial status.
Fight Club
Chuck Palahniuk
Copyrighted photo from Wikipedia under Fair Use
Insomnia, anarchy, explosives, and a kick-ass title that comes with its own pair, not having read Fight Club is a sin for all men. No other book can depict the modern social model for men. But most of all, the characters crafted reflect a model that all men can look up to. Not that the character is an anarchist, but rather, has a mind that doesn’t bend to the whims of advertising, social norms, the deceits of society.
