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The Library documents the four decades of books, leaders, and communities that comprise the Renaissance of Men. I’m just one participant of thousands, or even millions, and one blazing flame in a growing global crowd.
The Library
The Library documents the four decades of books, leaders, and communities that comprise the Renaissance of Men. I’m just one participant of thousands, or even millions, and one blazing flame in a growing global crowd.
Part 1: Books - The Essential Canon
The Renaissance of Men is the product of seminal works generated over decades by men thinking deeply about masculinity, sexuality, mythology, psychology, and more. These books provide the "lingua franca" of the Renaissance—the concepts we all know and share
Iron John, by Robert Bly
The book that started it all. This essential work by the poet Robert Bly explores masculinity from the perspective of mythology and psychology. It inspired one of the earliest stages of the Renaissance, the “mythopoetic men’s movement,” which was my doorway in many years later.
The Way of Men, by Jack Donovan
Jack Donovan’s hard-hitting bestseller blends philosophy and politics to explore society’s de-masculinizing efforts against men and what we can do about it. His distinction between being “a good man” vs. “good at being a man” resonates year after year, along with his universal Tactical Virtues.
No More Mr. Nice Guy, by Dr. Robert Glover
The truths in here will set you free, but first they’ll piss you off. This book wakes men up to the falsehoods we’ve internalized about what constitutes “good” behavior for a man. But those falsehoods lead to unfulfilling lives, even though we paradoxically seem to be doing everything right. Glover explains why this occurs, and his answers are transformative.
The Rational Male, by Rollo Tomassi
“Why do my eyes hurt?” Neo asks Morpheus after being freed from the Matrix. “Because you’ve never used them before,” Morpheus replies. Exploring unspoken dynamics between men and women, Rollo Tomassi uncovers the ways that we’ve been misled when it comes to dating, sex, and marriage. The lights of these truths are blinding at first but are foundational to see.
Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge
John Eldredge is a Christian writer of deep and abiding faith. In “Wild at Heart” he speaks to the longing for adventure and victory that God placed in the heart of every man. In doing so, Eldredge helps us see how important it is to live out our great stories, and the elements that those stories must include to be fulfilling.
The Way of the Superior Man, by David Deida
The first time I read “The Way of the Superior Man,” I threw it across the room. I needed more time to be ready for the challenge David Deida offers. In proper masculine fashion, he sets a high bar. Maybe I’ll never get there. Maybe none of us will. But the joy is in the trying.
Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius never meant for his journal to be read by the public, and he didn’t name it “Meditations” either. That’s just the name conventionally given to his private collection of profound philosophical thoughts, which more than 2000 years later still inspires men to have stronger mental constitutions, and thus live happier lives in a world that constantly tests us.
Sanction Trilogy, by Roman McClay
Profoundly literate, dense, and transcendent. Roman McClay’s “Sanction” trilogy operationalizes the best, worst, highest, lowest, broadest, and deepest aspects of masculinity into a fictional tale that must be experienced to be understood. It has whiskey for blood, titanium bones, an A.I.’s mind, and a poet’s soul.
The Nine Laws, by Ivan Throne
We live in a dark world. A man must acknowledge that, because doing so leads to vital insights about ways to think, speak, and act that lead to success where ignorant men will fail. Ivan Throne trained with the ninja of Japan and brings his expertise and mastery to bear in living a life of power without losing your integrity.
The Appearance of Power, by Tanner Guzy
Real men care how they look, and they should, because how you dress speaks volumes about your perceptions of yourself, including your status within your chosen tribes. Ignoring this channel of communication renders you mute in an ongoing conversation happening all around you. Tanner Guzy demonstrates all this and more in his informative introduction to the fundamentals of masculine style.
Other Important Works (Alphabetical by Author)
Hard Times Create Strong Men, by Stefan Aarnio
As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen
Bronze Age Mindset, by Bronze Age Pervert
Barking at the Herd: A Mythic Manifesto of the Heroic, by Doonvoorcannon
The Myth of Male Power, by Dr. Warren Farrell
The Boy Crisis, by Dr. Warren Farrell
The Married Man Sex Life Primer, by Athol Kay
Fire in the Belly: On Being a Man, by Sam Keen
Masculinity Amidst Madness, Ryan Landry
The King’s Curriculum, by Johnny Mannaz
Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men, by Stephen Mansfield
Sovereignty, by Ryan Michler
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, by Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette
What Is A Man?, by Walter Newell
The Collected Works of the Occidental Kshatriya
12 Rules for Life, by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
The War of Art, by Stephen Pressfield
Goonhood, by Clawson Smith
The Tactical Guide to Women, by Dr. Shawn T. Smith
The Game, by Neil Strauss
Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
(This list is always growing. If there’s an important work you think I’ve missed, email me at info@renofmen.com and I’ll add it.)
Part 2: Leaders
Every strong group of men naturally develops into a competence hierarchy, where those with the strongest abilities lead and attract others. These are those men that have established the strongest voices and followings.
Art of Manliness
AoM is the foremost name in mainstream discussions of masculinity. Brett McKay and his staff of contributors explore fatherhood, preparedness, fitness and more through blog entries, a wildly popular podcast, and several bestselling books. A one-stop shop for manhood in the Teddy Roosevelt variety.
Alexander Cortes (AJAC)
Nicknamed “Chad Jesus” and “Chadzilla,” AJAC pairs dozens of proven fitness programs for all body types and goals with a zero-nonsense writing style that never pulls a punch. Maybe you’re not ready for AJAC, and that’s OK. But when you are, you’ll find a man with inspiring insights into life, fitness, women, and being a better man. INCLINE BENCH.
Jack Donovan
Jack, the bestselling author of “The Way of Men” (see Essential Canon above) and its sequels “Becoming a Barbarian” and “A More Complete Beast” is also a photographer, designer, and spiritual leader. He documents all these and more on his visually stunning Instagram and blog, where he regularly showcases essays and shorter pieces.
Tanner Guzy
Tanner’s book “The Appearance of Power” (see Essential Canon above) is the intro to the Guzy Style Empire. Through Twitter and Instagram, he documents his life and powerful insights on family, fatherhood, and masculinity. And on his website, he offers a variety of coaching services and access to a community of men working to be the most integrated and stylish versions of themselves that they can be.
Ryan Michler
More than a decade ago, Ryan Michler hit bottom. His career and health were on the rocks, and his marriage hung in the balance. But rather than it being his tragic end, he made it a new beginning. He reformed his life from the ground up, and along the way he demonstrated to tens of thousands of other men that mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Now he’s an author, public speaker, and host of a wildly successful podcast that inspires millions.
Elliot Hulse
Elliot Hulse started his career as a competitive strongman, teaching men on YouTube how to gain strength and size. But when an arm injury brought an end to his career, he had to go within to find answers on what to do next. What he found was a personal revolution of mind, body, and spirit. Now he teaches men to be more than warriors but Kings.
Pat Stedman
Pat Stedman is the only teacher on the planet who enlightens men about their dating and sex life, while also enlightening them about the subtle currents of energy that not only shape society, but also the entire global socio-political structure. The best part is, he shows you how these aspects of masculinity aren’t separate. Through Pat’s instruction you can open your mind and heart while healing your spirit, becoming a beacon for the right woman—or women—to find you.
Sol Brah
The world says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but Sol Brah says bollocks to all that. He rightfully claims that aesthetics matter, and that the surface characteristics of a work of art, a piece of architecture, or even a man or woman, can tell us more about their substance than we consciously admit. In beauty we glimpse truth, but society forgot this. Thankfully one man didn’t.
Ed Latimore
Ed Latimore’s tagline is “Stoic Street Smarts,” and that should give you a sense of this former heavyweight boxer / bestselling author / competitive chess player’s down-to-earth approach to masculinity and life. From the housing projects to the military, and the pro boxing ring to Duquesne Univeristy, he brings a breadth of perspective that few men have achieved and found a diverse and devoted following few men have.
Ivan Throne
The bestselling author of “The Nine Laws” (see Essential Canon above) is also an acclaimed speaker, personal coach, and business consultant, where he brings his unique perspectives on The Dark World to bear on generating uncommon success for his clients. He won’t just make you strong, he’ll make you powerful, and demonstrate what to see, when to act… and how to go in for the kill.
Anthony “Dream” Johnson
The President of the Manosphere. No man does more to bring the various speakers, authors, bloggers, and leaders of the Renaissance together than President Dream. He founded and hosts the 21Convention and the 21Convention Patriarch’s Edition in Orlando, Florida, the premier men’s events in the world. And in 2020 he started the 22Convention for women, with the tagline “Make Women Great Again.” He’s outspoken, brash, and brave: all characteristics shared by history’s finest leaders, including one today.
Zac Small
Fatherhood and leadership aren’t all that different. They both require vision, effort, dedication, and a fierce devotion to a cause. But excellence in one (or both) leads to the esteem of other men. Zac Small has achieved that level of esteem as the Chief Patriarch of the 21 Convention Patriarch’s Event and the leader of the thriving men’s community The Fraternity of Excellence. In both roles he passes on his hard-fought lessons about being a great man, husband, and father, and how excellence in all three begins with your relationship with yourself.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
No list of men’s leaders is complete without the inclusion of Dr. Peterson. He rocketed to worldwide fame with his controversial defense of free speech. And he opened minds as he tore apart the philosophical foundations behind some of today’s most damaging cultural propaganda. For a moment, he was the public father figure many men never had: physically fit, stylish, accomplished, strong in mind, and passionate in speech. The media punished him for it accordingly. Despite all the conflict he generated, though, many men (myself included) will be forever grateful for his courage and enduring wisdom.
Other Important Leaders
AlphaStarseed
Chadistan Barbarianism
Pastor Michael Foster
Good Guys to Great Men
Part 3: Thriving Communities
While much of the Renaissance takes place on social media, many men have chosen to organize into private or semi-private online communities, or "tribes," to share their thoughts, values, and progress. These communities are growing all the time.
The ManKind Project
The ManKind Project was my introduction to the Renaissance of Men, and derives its philosophies directly from the book “Iron John” by Robert Bly (see Essential Canon above) and the mythopoetic men’s movement. Their men’s initiation The New Warrior Training Adventure (NTWA) is an unparalleled experience that connects men to practices from the ancient past, an image of masculinity today, and a worldwide circle of brotherhood 70,000 strong and growing. I recommend the NWTA to every man I can.
The Iron Council
Ryan Michler’s men’s community is centered around his book “Sovereignty”, which guides men to Protect, Preside, and Provide for their families and in their personal lives. The Iron Council succeeds because of its strong accountability culture: men holding other men to account for being the best that they can be.
The Strenuous Life
Have you ever wanted to be more capable? More skilled? More experienced at interesting and useful activities in the world? That’s the goal of the Art of Manliness community The Strenuous Life. It’s a bit like Boy Scouting for adults. Participants earn merit badges for activities, conduct meetups, and support each other in the pursuit of their interests to become more useful and worldy men
The Fraternity of Excellence
Zac Small’s worldwide community is flourishing as men discover their need to find community to support them in the challenges of daily life and their pursuit of personal betterment. Under Zac’s active leadership, his group of men have weekly calls to connect and share all aspects of their lives, and they plan epic adventures to mountaintops and beyond. Several members of this community have also gone on to become successful businessmen and leaders of their own: it’s like a farm team for excellence. He chose the name well.
21 Convention
The premier men’s event on Earth. Leaders, authors, speakers, bloggers, coaches, social media stars, and more gather by the dozen to network and share their wisdom to hundreds of high-energy, high-integrity men. If the Renaissance of Men is a giant spinning wheel, the 21 Convention is the hub. It moves us forward and upward despite increasingly powerful counteracting forces. But when the going gets tough…
Other Thriving Communities
Part 4: The Podcasts
As men none of us have all the answers, but together we're figuring them out. Through open and meaningful conversations we test our ideas and worldviews against each other, building camaraderie and broader perspectives that show none of us are as strong as all of us.
The Renaissance of Men Podcast
The Renaissance of Men podcast explores the history and terrain of this growing space -- from its inner territory to its borders, and its origins into the future. My podcast is dedicated to opening the doors open as wide as possible to admit more men, because we need you, just like we need each other. It’s all in the podcast intro: “This is the Renaissance of Men. You are the Renaissance.” And I mean it.
Order of Man
Ryan Michler’s podcast releases three episodes per week: an interview, an “ask me anything” Q&A, and a short personal essay. It’s grown from humble beginnings to one of the biggest podcasts on masculinity in the world and is the podcast I most modeled mine after
Art of Manliness
The Art of Manliness brings grounded, practical knowledge and wisdom to curious men, and increasingly women. It’s one of the top podcasts in the entire world, and for good reason. It’s always interesting and high-quality, and its impressive back-catalog of episodes shines.
Start the World
Jack Donovan’s podcast goes off-the-beaten path, interviewing athletes, craftsmen, shamans and more, exploring the frontiers of masculinity in a style unique to Jack’s aesthetic and powerful personality.
The Family Alpha
Zac Small is a man of many platforms. Via Twitter, Instagram, and his blog he broadcasts his potent message of masculinity to the world. The final piece in his content empire is his podcast, where he meets minds and locks horns with great male thinkers and leaders today.
Other Podcasts
Unbeatable Mind Podcast
Kyle Kingsbury Podcast
Aubrey Marcus Podcast
Jocko Podcast
Barbarian Rhetoric
Rugged Legacy
Hard Men Podcast
It’s Good To Be a Man
21 Radio
The Pursuit of Manliness
Sol Brah’s Solcast
The Art of Health
Way of the Truth Warrior
Red Man Group
Keep Up To Date with The Renaissance
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Keep Up To Date with The Renaissance
Join our mailing list so you’re the first to know when we publish new blog posts, podcasts or coaching content.