Five Marks of a Man by Brian Tome
This book shows you some essential things that make a man, a man. What separates men from boys and what it looks like to pursue man hood. The book had short chapters with titles like “Boys want to fit in. Men aren’t afraid to stand out.” And I loved it. Each chapter has 2 thoughts, here’s how the boys do it and how you may be tempted to do it, BUT here’s how MEN do it and why God set you apart as a man to do it.
I really enjoyed the book and was very encouraged by the thoughts and words written. I would recommend this to my friends in hopes that it would encourage them as well. Men need to hear these words and learn the 5 marks. (1) men have a vision, 2) Men take a minority position, 3) men are team players, 4) men work, and 5) Men are protectors.
I received a copy of this book as a part of the netgalley website for my honest review. There was no obligation to write a positive review.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I’ve long been a proponent for the idea of men acting like men and trying to improve on themselves whenever possible. So when this book came up I jumped at the opportunity to further myself as a man.

Brian Tome has written a well sourced book with the idea that boys do not turn into men at 18, adding there are no ‘rites of passage’ which bring this transition into reality. He outlines 5 keys markers a boy must progress in, in order to truly become a man.

I have to be honest here, I didn’t enjoy this book. There were some bright points but I felt much of it was over drawn, reliant on self and did not deliver on the promise to help make boys into men. A few things that troubled me: 5 marks became 5 main points with 4-6 sub points each, some which did not support the main point. Many references to “the mega church pastor” drinking with his buddies at various times of the day and locations. Confusing statements of how men are macho, strong and courageous, yet also soft and full of emotion. These in two separate chapters which made it confusing instead of headlining the difference and importance of both factors.

I also found in the subject of being a protector Tome labeled “boys” as those who take advantage of women for their own pleasure, but neglected to discuss the lost state of these men. I say this because the book is advertised as Christian written by a pastor and this is a major issue in the culture of sex, something in our life is askew and lost when ‘boys’ hurt women.

Tome did a decent job referencing the bible, but I feel he leaned more on his personal life and that of others for subject clarification and not God’s word to show Christian men what is proper. Over all I did not enjoy the book and I can’t recommend it. Again it has some shinning moments, but not enough for me personally.

*I received this book free from the publisher (Baker Books) in exchange for an honest review. These are my personal thoughts.