Notes on Being a Man
4.4 | 698 ratings
Price: 17.05
Last update: 01-13-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- scbullGreat ideas on helping young men live a better more fulfilling lifeOver 5 years ago, I began following Scott Galloway on his podcasts Prof G and Pivot. I have found him to not only be highly entertaining but incredibly thoughtful on business and life. I have given his book The Alegebra of Wealth out to several of the Associates I work with when they are looking for ways to start to build the foundation of lifetime wealth.
Scott's latest book Notes on Being a Man, shifts his focus to a topic that he has been passionately speaking to for the last year or so and that is the challenge that young men are facing in today's enviroment. Young men today find themselves:
24% less wealthy than their parents were at their age
More likely to NOT be participating in the workforce
Attending college at a lower rate than their female peers
More likely to take their own lives
Scott uses his life journey to introduce concepts for young men to consider following. From fitness to fatherhood, manners to work habits, Scott shares his own journey, the successes he has had, the misstakes he made and the research that supports helping young men find a better path.
My favorite chapter was on Friendship. In it Scott talks about the benefits of creating and maintaining friendships over the course of one's life. As I read this chapter it took me back to a specific evening in my own life. Six years ago my oldest son passed away from medical challenges as a result of his disabilities. He as 31 years old. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with in my life and yet my heart was made full as I looked down a long recieving line to see friends from every phase of my life. From my oldest friends I met in kindergarten, to my dorm mates from college, to my colleagues from work, there were dozens and dozens of friends who went out of their way to be there for me and my family. Not a recommended way to be demonstrated the value of growing and maintaining friendships, but the best example I have.
If you have a young man in your life, I highly recommend you share this book with them. And if you are a teacher or leader of young men, I recommend reading it yourself to offer additional insights that you can share with them.
And as you finish this, reach out to an old friend you haven't talked to in a while. They'll be excited to hear from you. - CarrieGood insights and an important subjectAs a pediatrician and a mother of two sons, I have often worried society is leaving our young men behind, so I very much looked forward to this book. While I didn’t agree with everything, I found a lot of Galloway’s advice and insights to be on the mark. Of course, the author and I are both Gen X-ers with similar backgrounds, so we’re going to look at things differently than Gen Z-ers, but much of it will still be helpful to today’s young men. His comments on the importance of being kind, getting off the couch and getting involved with something, interacting with people in real life rather than online (even though it might be difficult and awkward at first), treating the women in your life well, staying healthy, etc., are good nuggets of advice no matter our age (or gender for that matter).
I also respect Galloway’s relationship with his sons. Too many young men don’t have good male role models, so kudos to the author for recognizing that and going out of his way to not only mentor and guide his own sons, but other young men as well.
All and all I really enjoyed the book. I bought a copy for each of my young-adult sons, so we’ll see if they feel the same! - Anderson 8QualmsI felt qualms at times while reading this book. Still, the author gives some good advice, and it is a compelling story of Scott Galloway's life.
SPOILER ALERT. I felt qualms when I read the story of Galloway's mother being his wing man, helping him to get laid by leaving out a bottle of wine and two glasses when he would bring a young woman home.
This story is part of a book that gives advice to young men. If a young woman wants sex, that is her choice. My concern is for the young woman (for example-an 18 year old girl new to college life) who thinks it's a little fun and exciting to have a few drinks but soon her thinking is affected and her defenses are weakened. The perception given here to young men, including teenage boys, is that the male's intent is to prime a girl for sex with alcohol. Do I want a young man to think this is okay? NO.
The author admits to having been rejected many times by women, and the benefit was learning how to deal with rejection. The real reason why a woman often rejects a male's advances is because she sees a player. Such a woman knows that she deserves better.
Galloway advises men on how to get mates. He states that men fear being seen as exploiters. So, don't exploit!
Women often feel objectified by men. He tells men to be nice to women. He tells them to leave a drunk woman alone, first making sure that she is okay. That is good advice (unless he is the one trying to get her high).
Women fear being harmed by men. Galloway avoids the subject of sexual abuse and rape except for a brief mention of the sexual misconduct that occurs in frat houses. Misconduct? In the U.S., one out of 8 women- that's over 12 million adult women- are the victims of rape. Rape is the worst trauma that a woman can experience. Galloway advises men to be nice, make her feel safe, don't be a predator, and don't be creepy.
Galloway missed an opportunity to teach men about sexual self-control, that is, developing the will to use self-control and self-discipline regarding sexual desire and sex, as well as moderation, discernment, and the negative effects (premature aging, disease, potentially) of excess and over-indulgence.
His view appears to say- enjoy as many mates/sex as you can until one day you may find the one that is meant for you. The sex urge is not a license for sexual gratification. A thought/action can quickly become a bad habit/addiction, one that is never satisfied so it keeps repeating. Teach young men they are not animals, they are men.
Even with a loved one, excess sex results in satiety, over-familiarity, and boredom while sex in moderation results in greater desire, pleasure, closeness, affection, and a deepening love.
Yes, suppression of sexual desire is unhealthy. Teach young men HEALTHY ways of dealing with a strong sex drive such as exercise, sports, or taking a cool shower. Sexual energy can actually be transmuted into creative, artistic work.
Another qualm (and there are others) is his frequent comments on his wealth, success, and world travel. He isn't rubbing it into anyone's face, he says, but rather so others can learn from him, and to better understand a subject that the rich do not like to talk about. Learn what? Understand what?
He states that if you really want to stress out your wife and kids, try being broke. Try. Sixty percent of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck.
I am glad that men and women are feeling concerned now about the plight of young men. I am wondering where the men ("the protectors") have been all these centuries while women were treated as second-class citizens or worse ( and still are, around the world). Still, I am glad that men are wanting to help their fellow men.
I have focused on some negatives here because they affect others. There is much that is good and great in this book. I felt saddened at the loss of his mother because he dearly loved her. Many of us love our mothers, no matter what. I cried after I read the letter to his sons. This book is- he states, his own thoughts and not a road map. Even so, he is advising young men. Words have an impact. May I suggest to the author- weigh every word with care. In your next book, do better still. It is too bad that you did not have a daughter. You would have written a different book.
Men must truly learn and understand that women are fellow human beings of equal value. - Amazon CustomerEssential Read for Young MenIf I could give a 4.7 I would. How many boys have ever thought of these things unless they have a (good) mentor in their life (which is rare)? Should make books like this mandatory for both women and men. Who’s going to write Notes on Being a Woman? Young Men and women should read that too.