When I was a kid, schools taught skills that were deemed "essential". Boys had to take woodshop classes. My older sisters took required cooking classes in middle school and high school.
Both my sisters and I had mandatory sewing classes where we learned to make our clothing (yes, I know how to make a jacket, skirt and pants from scratch folks).
As our world changes, lots of skills that were once deemed essential are no longer being taught. Most people have no idea how to sew on a button or how to cook a meal from scratch.
Essential Skills for Men
Most boys now grow up not knowing how to tie a tie (my son included) or how to drive a manual stick shift (you can save a lot of money on your car if you know how). Even though these skills may not be required on a daily basis, some things just don't go out of style. Can you imagine a grown man wearing a clip on tie! Horror!
Since Father's Day is this month, I have been looking for ideas for gifts that men would love (and women would love buying their men). So when I was asked to review a new book written just for men by men, I knew I had to check it out.
And what does he think are the 10 Essential Skills? Here is the list:
1. Tie a Tie
2. Swing a Golf Club
3. Play Poker
4. Light and Smoke a Cigar
5. Drive a Stick Shift
6. Propose a Toast
7. Catch a Wave
8. Order and Taste Wine
9. Mix a James Bond Martini
10. Keep the Girl
Each chapter not only gives a breakdown of how to acquire the skill, but also ends with great films highlighting that particular skill. For golf there is the classic Caddy Shack. In the Poker chapter readers learn the game is “the great social equalizer.”
Whether you agree that all these skills are essential or not, Men :10 Essential Skills, the Professional Guide is a quick fun read that is entertaining and informative. The chapter alone on how to tie a tie will keep most men off of my fashion horror list.
Men :10 Essential Skills, the Professional Guide is available on Amazon.com in both hardcover ($19.99) and Kindle ($9.99) editions.
GIVEAWAY
Three (3) FREEISMYLIFE readers will each win a hardcover edition of Men :10 Essential Skills, the Professional Guide, a $19.99 value. HOLLA to the FREE!
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- Fill out the information in the form below.
- One entry per person please. Duplicate entries will be removed.
- USA addresses only.
- The contest ends on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:59am EST.
- The winner will be selected by random number generation.
- Prize will be fufilled to the winners by the PR company for the book.
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Enjoy!
Disclosure: I received a complementary hardcover copy of the book "Men 10 Essential Skills" in order to write this review and express my unbiased opinion. I was not compensated for this post.
Random.org has spoken! Out of 58 entries, Random.org has picked the following 3 winners who will each get a hardcover copy of the book MEN: 10 Essential Skills, the Professional Guide:
#15 Nichole V. of Wayne, MI
#43 Jacqueline D. of Ferndale, MI
#50 Joe G. of Wixom, MI
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