‘Manly’ books appeal to men from all walks of life—from battlefields to business

Men’s books represent but a sliver of overall sales in the Christian market, but the wealth of forthcoming titles demonstrates publishers’ belief in the genre’s viability.   

“Men have demonstrated they will indeed buy a book if it addresses a felt need in their lives,” said Joey Paul, executive editor of the FaithWords imprint of Hachette Book Group. 

Nick Harrison, senior editor at Harvest House Publishers, recalls meeting such a need. An insurance man visited Harrison recently to tell of buying 100 copies of the gift edition of One Minute Prayers for Men. As a result, he formed authentic relationships with many prospective clients, not to mention his coffeehouse barista. 

“It’s the kind of story that tells me we’re doing things right in publishing the books we do,” Harrison said. “Men from all walks of life are hurting, including Christian men.”

Men are always interested in practical books that make an impact, said Tracy Danz, vice president and publisher of Zondervan Trade Books. He lists Zondervan’s October release, Fight by Craig Groeschel, and January’s Bad Dads of the Bible by Roland Warren as examples.

One of the newer Christian publishers targets men with five of its 40 annual titles. The newest release this month from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas is Up by Bob Ravener, executive vice president for Dollar General Corp.

Acquisition Editor Eddie Jones said that Up will appeal to men by illuminating such values as hard work, resilience and creativity in a culture that glorifies posturing and good looks.

Ironically, Jones sees unemployment as a primary reason why men are reading more. In the past, men may have been busy reading reports, spreadsheets and manuals for work, but in unemployment, many have more time to read books. With nonfiction, Jones thinks men are seeking help in finding employment, God’s call on their lives and significance in a culture that discounts their worth.

“As more men find themselves outsourced, out of work and shoved to the end of the bench, books of this nature will continue to find male readers,” the Lighthouse editor said.

POWERFUL POTENTIAL 

While lagging far behind women’s nonfiction in sales, men’s books have produced a number of classics, such as John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart, Stu Weber’s Tender Warrior and Point Man by Steve Farrar.

More recently, B&H Books’ The Resolution for Men by Stephen and Alex Kendrick—spawned by their hit film Courageous—boosted category sales last year by 47%. 

Harvest House also sees considerable potential in men’s books. In addition to August’s With Dad on a Deer Stand by Steve Chapman and this month’s In It to Win It by Steve Lawson, the publisher releases An Old Guy’s Guide to Living Young by Bob Barnes in October.

Thomas Nelson has three upcoming men’s books, starting with an updated version of The Book of Man by former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett (October). 

It follows in November with Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men by best-selling author Stephen Mansfield and retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin. They examine manly virtues through the lives of such leaders as George Washington. 

On a lighter note, January brings The Dude’s Guide to Manhood by Darrin Patrick.

Among other forthcoming material is Know When to Hold ‘Em by John Blase (Abingdon Press, Oct. 1). Subtitled “The High Stakes Game of Fatherhood,” the author encourages fathers to become adventurers and risk-takers. 

In How God Makes Men (WaterBrook Press, Nov. 5), men’s ministry leader Patrick Morley reviews 10 key principles that emerge from epic stories of men.

The Baker Books division of Baker Publishing Group releases two men’s titles in October. Gen. Rich Lynch teams with Mark Dagostino for Adapt or Die, a review of leadership principles taken from the battlefield and business, while human rights leader Bob Fu exhorts men to take a stand for their faith in God’s Double Agent. 

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