A Man in the Making by Rick Johnson - REVIEWED

About the Book:  (from Baker Publishing)
How does a boy become a man of character?
As your son grows toward manhood, you can instill in him the values and character traits he will need to succeed. Highlighting famous men throughout history and the character trait that made each an outstanding model of manhood, parenting expert Rick Johnson gives you strategies to help mold your son into an honorable man. Johnson describes the lives of men such as

· Martin Luther King Jr.
· George Washington
· John Wooden
· Abraham Lincoln
· Jedediah Smith
· Benjamin Franklin
· Leonardo da Vinci
· and more

With the understanding gleaned from this insightful book, you can positively influence your son's life--in a way that will last him a lifetime.

My Thoughts:

“Throughout this book I used men of history to define certain character traits that I believe to be important in developing healthy male leadership.”  (p.193)

Courage.  Honor and Nobility.  Duty.  Integrity and Loyalty.  These are only a few of the many character traits  the Rick Johnson addresses in his book, A Man in the Making.  Using models from history ranging from George Washington to Martin Luther King, Jr., Johnson makes a strong case that boys in particular stand in great need of people in their lives who can teach them to be effective leaders.  Johnson has chosen this method, I think, according to the prologue, so that everyone, regardless of their faith or lack thereof will be convinced of the importance of sowing the seeds of leadership into the lives of young men.

Johnson himself is a believer, and that shows through in his writing.  Not in an off-putting way, but in a way that draws other to consider the truth that has transformed his own life.  This is not a book to be read lightly or quickly.  This book must be digested in small portions so that you do not become overwhelmed with the responsibility that lies at your own front door to teach leadership to the young men that you know and care for.

This is an excellent resource for parents, teachers, pastors and anyone who wants to know more about the importance of teaching the traits of leadership to the next generation.  I am happy to recommend this book!

About the Author:

Rick Johnson is a bestselling author of That's My Son; That's My Teenage Son; That's My Girl; Better Dads, Stronger Sons; and Becoming Your Spouse's Better Half. He is the founder of Better Dads and is a sought-after speaker at many large parenting and marriage conferences across the United States and Canada. Rick, his wife, Suzanne, and their grown children live in Oregon. To find out more about Rick Johnson, visit www.betterdads.net.