From the monthly archives:

December 2008

Becoming a Better Man in 2009

by Brett & Kate McKay

Today is New Year’s Eve. Like most people in the world, I’m taking time to reflect on how the past year went, while also gazing ahead to the new one that awaits. Every year, I set goals or “resolutions” on how to be a better man. I succeed with some but fail in others. Many [...]

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25 of the Greatest Self-Made Men in American History

by Brett & Kate McKay

The idea of the self-made man is inextricably tied up with that of the American dream. It is his image that has lured thousands of immigrants to our shores, all hoping for the chance to turn a handful of beans into a vast fortune. The self-made man is he who comes from unpromising circumstances, who [...]

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The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Getting Our Lives In Order Edition

by Brett & Kate McKay

Kate and I had a wonderful Christmas, which we spent with both of our families. Santa must have read our Holiday Gift Guide as I received several manly presents including a Case pocketknife, a shoeshine kit, and some hankies. But my favorite gift actually came on my birthday, which falls two days before Christmas. Kate [...]

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Merry Christmas From The Art of Manliness

by Brett & Kate McKay

Merry Christmas from The Art of Manliness. We hope you and yours have a wonderful day full of presents, food, and family.

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Christmas Eve Manvotional: The Night of Oranges

by Brett & Kate McKay

This following essay appeared in the New York Times in 1995. As a young man, I remember it making a deep impression on me for reasons I couldn’t then quite articulate, and I cut it out and have saved it ever since. To a time in which the holidays have often become overly-commercialized and stripped [...]

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Congratulations to Saddleback Leather Company Man Bag Giveaway Winner

by Brett & Kate McKay

Many thanks to all of you who entered the Saddleback Leather Company Man Bag Giveaway. The response was phenomenal. We received a boat load of entries.  Be sure and check out the contest thread; with 735 tips on packing and traveling, it’s a virtual treasure trove of awesome advice.
Of course there can only be one [...]

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Lessons in Manliness from It’s a Wonderful Life

by Brett

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Harland Pond.
It’s that time of year again. Navigating social dangers at holiday work parties. Fighting extra calories off. Picking out the perfect present for your girl. Of course it is also the season of holiday movies.  From old classics like Rudolph to newer ones like Elf, movies [...]

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Interviewing in a Recession: How to Dress for a Job Interview in Hard Times

by Antonio

We are reminded daily that the economic outlook isn’t good; for those of us looking for work, it’s hard to imagine a worse scenario. Not only are there less jobs out there, the number and quality of people applying for them continues to rise. Interviews have gone from competitive to ultra-competitive.
This article deals with how [...]

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How to Be the Perfect Party Guest

by Brett

The season for parties is currently in full swing. For the party guest, the event is a chance to kickback and have a good time. But for the host, throwing a party can be a stressful endeavor. A host must worry about the decorations, the food, the entertainment, and whether their guests are getting along, [...]

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How To End a Relationship Like a Man

by schaefer

“Matt’s relationship status has been changed to ’single’ .” The first time I saw this on Facebook I nearly choked on my bagel. Not only was Matt experiencing the black pit we call “breaking up,” but he had to face the uncomfortable reality that his new status was being shared in [...]

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Congratulations to the West Coast Shaving Set Giveaway Winner

by Brett

Many thanks to all of you who entered the West Coast Shaving Set Giveaway Contest. We were flooded with entries; there are apparently a lot of men out there who are chomping at the bit to shave like their grandpas. Be sure and check out the contest thread; with 372 tips on shaving, it’s a [...]

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Saddleback Leather Company Man Bag Giveaway

by Brett & Kate McKay

For centuries, men have used bags to carry their stuff. Cavemen used manly leather satchels to hold all their caveman gear. Peasants used them to carry seeds. During colonial times and up and through the Civil War, a soldier would always have a trusty man bag to carry his rations and other manly accouterments. [...]

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The 2008 Art of Manliness Man of the Year: Matthew Chancey

by Brett

Well, the voting for the Art of Manliness Man of the Year ended last night and we have a winner: Matthew Chancey from Ashville, Alabama is the 2008 Art of Manliness Man of the Year. Matthew’s wife nominated him, and you can read her nominating essay here. Voting was open to the public for the [...]

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Balancing Work and Family

by Brett

Back in your grandpa’s time, a man was just expected to bring home the bacon and was excused from being too hands on in the child rearing department. Today’s man is expected not only to be a provider, but also a highly involved parent. These two demands can burn out even the strongest of men. [...]

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The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Last Call For Voting Edition

by Brett & Kate McKay

This week went by fast. I finished three law school finals and have one left in Federal Indian law on Monday evening. I can’t wait to be done so I can enjoy a few weeks of freedom. Alright, so tomorrow is the last day for voting for the Art of Manliness Man of the Year [...]

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