Hard Times Create Strong Men

By: Stefan Aarnio

Narrated by: Stefan Aarnio

Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

What does it mean to be a man in the modern world? Throughout history, being a man has meant different things. Maybe being a man was about being a good hunter, or a good soldier, a good businessman, or maybe good with women. Hard Times Create Strong Men examines what it means to be a man in the modern world relative to money, sex, religion, and politics. This audiobook examines what worked and what doesn’t work based on proven history instead of feelings. This audiobook is raw, real, and politically incorrect. It will threaten and challenge your ideas of what it means to be a man and how to better serve your purpose. As the cycles of history prove over and over again, hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create hard times”.

©2019 Stefan Aarnio (P)2019 Stefan Aarnio

A Nice Change

I could not put this book down. It is a relief from the garbage teachings of today. Facts with some opinions instead of the other way around.

4 people found this helpful

Dad in a box

I feel like this book taught me most of what I should have been taught by my absent father. At times the truths in this book seem very harsh. But sometimes the truth is just that. Put your big boy pants on. It’s a wild ride, this book.

4 people found this helpful

Kind of repetitive

It’s kind of repetitive but a lot of good quotes. It’s a logical argument. Did I mention it’s kind of repetitive. He even says he did very little revision. Oh yeah and it’s also kind of repetitive.

3 people found this helpful

could have been condensed

struggled to finish this book. A lot of stuff of re-stated at nauseam, not sure if on purpose or not. I feel like this book could be condensed to really hit harder.

2 people found this helpful

Certainly your Magnum Opus

To the author: encourage every man you coach to read this book first - if they don’t - don’t waste your time on them. Send your dad (you pay expenses) on a trip to a beautiful land to do an extended fast to heal his mind, soul, and body. May he rebound from the legacy he was left from his father - and may he be blessed in his future.

To the potential reader: if you are a man at any age - read this book! You’re life, relationships, and economic well being will benefit. If you are an unmarried woman - read this book. The ingredients of a strong man that are outlined in this book are vital to your future relationship contentment. If you are a married woman, who is not married to a strong man - do not read this book - it will lead to identifying every reason that you are discontent with your man.

Outstanding book, politically incorrect for our times, I LOVED IT!

2 people found this helpful

A man’s bible

This book is by far the most influential piece of literature that I’ve read, outside of scripture.
Before finishing this book, I went ahead and ordered a bundle of all 4 volumes to “Hard Time Create Strong Men”.
I challenge all men to listen to these words.

1 person found this helpful

great read, historically backed, loved it

Read it in 3 days. Most helpful book I’ve read. Check out books he mentions, like The Game and Way of The Superior Man. Those were also great reads.

1 person found this helpful

It means what it says

Great book, helped me focus on my purpose and work as a man. Loved the Marcus Aurelius quotes throughout the book. Thanks Stefan.

1 person found this helpful

Wow

Much needed for my generation of men. I’m 26 years old have 16 investment properties and grew up without a father. This was an incredibly deep, truthful, and helpful book for young men. Well done Stefan!

5 people found this helpful

Awful

I've been a regular listener since 2007. This is the worst book I ever downloaded.

All men must read this!

This is a book for men, if you are a man, read it. If you are a women give it to your man, son, brother etc. This book will save many men from the pit falls of life, make them stronger, and able to lead their tribe, family and them selves.

This book is phenomenal

I have been listening to this book for a while now and I think it’s life changing! Everyone should be reading this book. It’s a reality check for all men.

Written by a boy

This will be the first Audible book I return after being a subscriber for two years.

In general I do agree with the concepts and sentiments expressed in this book and I would genuinely like to read something like this.

I think this book falls short because the author hasn't fully integrated the philosophy he expounds. It's a lot of ranting along the lines of "suck it up snowflake" interspersed with quotes by Marcus Aurelius and Ayn Rand.

His concept of manhood is essentially egotism and arrogance and a 'might is right' mentality. While he clearly expresses that weak men are a problem, he does not seem to believe that a real man would understand that there are limits to the 'alpha male' attitude that separate a strong man and a tyrant. By that I mean that the author would likely consider Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Mugabe etc. as 'real men'.

If you are looking for books that help you learn how to act in the world then you would be better off with Jordan Peterson or stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius etc. or Robert Greene's books. Stefan Aarnio is an ant next to these giants.

He could probably do with another decade or so of life experience before writing this book. The book is not well thought out, the best parts are taken from other writers, and the narration can be quite fumbling.

Given all of that, I think that many of the reviews are fake. While some people will enjoy it and get something out of it, it is by no means a for or five star book.

These teachings should be in every high schools

I knew about Stefan Aarnio watching him burning one of his books on an Instagram video. Thankfully I followed him, That’s right.

Learned about real estate, but the best part has yet to come. First of all the ability to respond and actually care about his followers and secondly to have created this book.

So far, the power of now by e enkhart tolle was the most influential book I ever consumed, referring as the one that builds paradigms in your mind and simply live improves you.

But HardTimesCreateStrongMan has completely changed the way I look at relationships with woman, the way I look at men, the respect I have for leaders and society, and more importantly my self.

I didn’t know Stefan went through so much, I also read ‘self made’ audiobook but really in this book you get to understand how much we need strong men in our society, and how we can be one.

Thank you. GM

Insightful BUT

This is an insightful book. My concern however is that in chapter 4 the author claims to be an expert in human nature however he makes sweeping general statements about human behaviour and belief systems with disregard to the varied systems in society that form traditions and cultures.

The book presents the candid insight on particular issues that relate to the male gender however, the vulgarity of his marks does not aid his points but highlights weaknesses in the right use of the English language.

This then limits to whom I can share this book with as the men I know detest bad language. It is a note worthy book to read as it shares a unique male perspective.

great book!

really enjoyed this book and i will be listening to again! This is the second book by Stefan ive listened to i like his philosophys

1 person found this helpful

For those who wish to live intentionally and to their full potential

The book I’ve been waiting for without knowing it.
It’s hard to articulate the disquiet one feels around the topic of modern masculinity and what society has to say about it. Stefan Aarnio lays it out superbly. He explains the issues, outlines the consequences of our flawed thinking and provides clear leadership and direction for men who seek to live as strong men, leaders and shapers of the future.
A must read for those who are over the bullshit and seek truth.

16 hours of pure gold.

I just finished listening to this at the age of 15. I couldn't imagine growing up into adulthood not knowing the things this book taught me. I will listen to it again and again until I feel like that the teachings of this book is a part of who I am. Thanks so much Stefan Aarnio.