Notes on Being a Man

By: Scott Galloway

Narrated by: Scott Galloway

Bestselling author, NYU professor, and cohost of the Pivot podcast Scott Galloway offers a path forward for men and parents of boys.

Boys and men are in crisis. Rarely has a cohort fallen further and faster than young men living in Western democracies. Boys are less likely to graduate from high school or college than girls. One in seven men reports having no friends, and men account for three of every four deaths of despair in America. Even worse, the lack of attention to these problems has created a vacuum filled by voices espousing misogyny, the demonization of others, and a toxic vision of masculinity. But this is not just a male issue: Women and children can’t flourish if men aren’t doing well. And as we know from spates of violence, there is nothing more dangerous than a lonely, broke young man.

Scott Galloway has been sounding the alarm on this issue for years. In Notes on Being a Man, Galloway explores what it means to be a man in modern America. He promotes the importance of healthy masculinity and mental strength. He shares his own story from boyhood to manhood, exploring his parents’ difficult divorce, his issues with anger and depression, his attempts to earn money, and his life raising two boys. He shares the sometimes funny, often painful lessons he learned along the way, some of which include:

• Get out of the house. Action absorbs anxiety.
• Take risks and be willing to feel like an imposter. Don’t let rejection stop you.
• Be kind. That’s the secret to success in relationships.
• Find what you’re good at; follow your talent.
• Acknowledge your blessings—and create opportunities for others. Be of surplus value.
• Being a good dad means being good to the mother of your children.
• Life isn’t about what happens to you—it’s about how you respond to it.

With unflinching honesty, Scott Galloway maps out an enriching, inspiring operator’s manual for being a man today.

Outstanding

It just kept getting better. There is so much here to put to work in my life. I plan to pass it on to my sons.

useful Galloway book

I didn't really appreciate that. this was a memoir when I began the book. I had hoped for more galloway- like data and numbers. there's some of that but it's mostly Scott telling the story of his life. he tells it with honesty and forthrightness. I don't agree with everything he says, and I think that some of what he says is wrong and insensitive. however, I give him great credit for writing from his heart, being true to himself and being compelling for the most part. it's worth a read or a listen.

An important memoir

I hoped this would be a better guide to life for my son, and there is certainly some great advice, but this is a reflection of a deeply thoughtful, imperfect man who I truly appreciate.

Must read for all men (and women)

Timely reminder on the role men must continue to play and scale all the challenges and opportunities of our time.

This book is a template for being a great man

Scott Galloway gives us a book that is sorely needed today in the world of young men and all men. Men of all ages can learn something from this book. This would be a better world if men would adopt this code of how to live their lives.