The Dangerous Book for Boys
May 29th, 2007
Albert Mohler has written about a new book hitting the United States this year, “The Dangerous Book for Boys.”
The book instantly recalls the great Victorian era of books for boys — books about boy heroes, adventurers, soldiers, and naturalists. …
This book will tell a boy how to read cloud formations, make a battery, make a periscope, and construct “the greatest paper airplane in the world.” Boys are told of the essential gear of boyhood — including Band-aids. Young adventurers will also learn of famous battles, the history of artillery, and how to understand girls.
On the subject of girls the authors warn that young females are likely to be “unimpressed by your mastery of a game involving wizards, or your understanding of Morse Code.” Boys are also soberly warned that girls, as a general rule, “do not get quite as excited by the use of urine as a secret ink as boys do.” This is important to know.
Of course, some raging feminists are all hacked off by the book, as you can see if you read some of the reviews on Amazon.
After reading Mohler’s post, I stopped by Books-a-Million over the weekend to check it out. I was impressed with the book, and plan to purchase it for my son in the near future.
I am looking forward to this book! This will not only be a great resource for young boys, but young fathers, too. Some of the basic ‘guy stuff’ is not being taught or passed down like it used to be.
Tim, at last check it was also available at Sam’s. I believe Ray bought a copy for his boys right before they left for vacation.
I think this book sounds awesome! I have a feeling it’s chock full of stuff my stepbrother taught my sister and me when we were all kids. (I have always had the utmost admiration for him for putting up with two bratty stepsisters, five and six years his junior!)
I’d consider writing a similar book for girls, but from what I can remember, mostly girls just spent their time being mean to one another … which is one of many reasons I always preferred playing with the boys … though I did have a certain fondness for all my Barbie dolls.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll be sure to check it out.
As a kid one of my favorite books was “The Mad Scientists’ Club,” about a bunch of boys who used scouting skills and science-kit type equipment to pull ingenious pranks and generally have fun. I still have a copy. In today’s world of computers and cell phones, it’s terribly dated. But it’s great.
I bought this book a few weeks ago after I saw it on “The Colbert Report.” I highly recommend it.
Just ordered it through Tim’s amazon.com link.
Picked it up last night from Barnes & Noble - really interesting. My 10 year old son was very excited.
Few things it’s missing:
verbal retorts - how to shame a bully
boxing tips - keeping your guard up and going for the nose
pipe packing and chew spitting - how not to burn your tongue or stain your mamma’s floor
How about supplying all of us with those suggested verbal retorts, Klay?
I haven’t picked up the book yet but I will. It’s a great idea for a book. There are a few things that every young man should know before leaving home.
How to drive a stick shift.
How to eat sushi.
How to plan and behave yourself on a date.
How to tie a real tie.
How to shave with a real razor as opposed to one of those plasticy things they sell at discount stores these days.
How to select, open and pour a bottle of wine.
How to repair a car.
How to take care of your shoes.
How to balance a check book.
How to comfort a friend at a funeral.
How to interview for a job.
The list goes on an on.
Afterall, if you can’t take care of yourself, how can you ever expect to take care of a wife and kids?
I was disappointed it didn’t have anything about fire - but I guess nowadays the publisher could be sued if a kid was able to start a campfire and he accidentally burnt his marshmallow to a crisp.
This book sounds awesome, I can’t wait to get a copy of it.