At a time of astonishing confusion about what it means to be a man, Brad Miner has recovered the oldest and best ideal of manhood: the gentleman. Reviving a thousand-year tradition of chivalry, honor, and heroism, The Compleat Gentleman provides the essential model for twenty-first-century masculinity.
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The Compleat Gentleman: The Modern Man's Guide to Chivalry (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)
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At a time of astonishing confusion about what it means to be a man, Brad Miner has recovered the oldest and best ideal of manhood: the gentleman. Reviving a thousand-year tradition of chivalry, honor, and heroism, The Compleat Gentleman provides the essential model for twenty-first-century masculinity.
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30 review for The Compleat Gentleman: The Modern Man's Guide to Chivalry (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)
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Michael Lunsford –
There were some pretty low ratings for this book in this venue. So, let me start out by saying that this is not a book of manners and polite pleasantries. If you're trying to figure out which fork to use with which course, you needn't waste your time looking for it here. Using over a thousand years of history and etymology, this book is also not some propaganda piece thrown together to discredit or redefine manliness. At its core, this book reintroduces the chivalrous man to the modern era. The au There were some pretty low ratings for this book in this venue. So, let me start out by saying that this is not a book of manners and polite pleasantries. If you're trying to figure out which fork to use with which course, you needn't waste your time looking for it here. Using over a thousand years of history and etymology, this book is also not some propaganda piece thrown together to discredit or redefine manliness. At its core, this book reintroduces the chivalrous man to the modern era. The author has a rich vocabulary, for which the "pocket" dictionary wasn't of much use. Still, it was a relatively quick read. It also had insights into other issues of our day and succeeded in educating this reader (just short of epiphany) on several topics left completely untouched by other books.
Aaron Smith –
Chivelry may have lost its appeal in the 21st century, but Mr. Miner brings to light a few areas men should focus on in living their lives: the knight, the warrior, the monk, and the lover. I thoroughly enjoyed his closing remarks on what it will take to re-establish the man's role in society. Chivelry may have lost its appeal in the 21st century, but Mr. Miner brings to light a few areas men should focus on in living their lives: the knight, the warrior, the monk, and the lover. I thoroughly enjoyed his closing remarks on what it will take to re-establish the man's role in society.
Don –
More a review of the literature than a manual of manners. A balanced critique/defense of the worldly virtues. My sprezzatura prevents me from saying more.
Legacy Dad –
I like the premise of this book and was excited about the title, however this book reads like someones Graduate dissertation. Too many pretentious words and needless rambling about obscure writers and quotes. I struggled through it. I like references to classical literature but not every three sentences. There is a difference between best SELLING authors and best WRITING authors. You have to write in a language that the masses can easily read and enjoy. This one is not. However, being a compleat I like the premise of this book and was excited about the title, however this book reads like someones Graduate dissertation. Too many pretentious words and needless rambling about obscure writers and quotes. I struggled through it. I like references to classical literature but not every three sentences. There is a difference between best SELLING authors and best WRITING authors. You have to write in a language that the masses can easily read and enjoy. This one is not. However, being a compleat gentlemen also means being astute and worldly, so there is an argument for both sides.
James Harmeling –
This is unique book. Miner is a good writer who traces the history of chivalry and draws upon original and morphed meanings of being a gentleman. He divides the idea into three categories: warrior, monk, lover. Each of these categories are given adequate attention and he concludes with attempts to interpret being a gentleman in the 21st century. At times, Miner gets sidetracked due to his great breadth of literature, especially medieval literature. I found myself at times moving from the book to This is unique book. Miner is a good writer who traces the history of chivalry and draws upon original and morphed meanings of being a gentleman. He divides the idea into three categories: warrior, monk, lover. Each of these categories are given adequate attention and he concludes with attempts to interpret being a gentleman in the 21st century. At times, Miner gets sidetracked due to his great breadth of literature, especially medieval literature. I found myself at times moving from the book to my Amazon wish list to add certain works to my Kindle account. Nonetheless, I was refreshed by Miner's high ideals and his capable exploration of the topic.
Beth –
The narrator sounded smarmy, but maybe there was no other way to read the text. It constantly swaps out gentleman/humans, pauses to say no girls allowed, and then occasionally detours to laugh at silly girls who think boys want to exclude them from thing. It even makes what I guess is a joke about trans people when sniffing at the public display of everything such as a trans person going on Jerry Springer to come out as trans before telling their lover "that lady is no gentleman." Except that no The narrator sounded smarmy, but maybe there was no other way to read the text. It constantly swaps out gentleman/humans, pauses to say no girls allowed, and then occasionally detours to laugh at silly girls who think boys want to exclude them from thing. It even makes what I guess is a joke about trans people when sniffing at the public display of everything such as a trans person going on Jerry Springer to come out as trans before telling their lover "that lady is no gentleman." Except that no lady is a gentleman according to this book, but maybe if the lady has a cock then she had a chance? It seems to misunderstand the purpose of virtue, and instead just want to be cool like the Fonz.
David Gamble –
This is one I want to read again and have already shared with a handful of people. The way he takes relevant history, looks at it's benefits and problems in context of it's time, then adapts it to the modern time was really beneficial for me. I like how he pulled standards from this process, then explained why those standards and how they should look in practice. I really appreciated how he furthers it and shows how specific aspects of this not being followed through turn into specific problems This is one I want to read again and have already shared with a handful of people. The way he takes relevant history, looks at it's benefits and problems in context of it's time, then adapts it to the modern time was really beneficial for me. I like how he pulled standards from this process, then explained why those standards and how they should look in practice. I really appreciated how he furthers it and shows how specific aspects of this not being followed through turn into specific problems in society. The action plan for the individual that triggers adaptations to the larger story was great work.
Mark Wells –
A bit complicated to follow at times but overall a good book with a great deal of information regarding the history of the title of gentleman.
Michael Mayer –
One of the worst books I have ever read (I admit I couldn't finish it; life is too short for such rubbish) Skip this book and read the first 4000 lines or so of The Romance of the Rose, Andreas Capellanus' The Art of Courtly Love, Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier, and Machiavelli's The Prince. When the author is not going on about his martial art experience and why war helps build character (the author takes a detour to explain to his politically conservative audience how he managed to sit One of the worst books I have ever read (I admit I couldn't finish it; life is too short for such rubbish) Skip this book and read the first 4000 lines or so of The Romance of the Rose, Andreas Capellanus' The Art of Courtly Love, Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier, and Machiavelli's The Prince. When the author is not going on about his martial art experience and why war helps build character (the author takes a detour to explain to his politically conservative audience how he managed to sit out the Vietnam war but how he now regrets it) he actually does touch upon some of these authors' discussions of "Courtly" behavior. Save yourself the headache and read these work yourself. I highly recommend the Book of the Courtier--just as relevant in 16th century Italy as it is now but be careful not to take everything you read in the Courtier at face value!
Mo –
Is the idea of "the gentleman" still pertinent? This author asserts yes. And I would have to agree, given the definition he offers for what makes a true gentleman. This definition however seemed a bit garbled to me until the last few chapters. If the whole book was written with the clarity and assertiveness of the last two chapters, this book would have a much higher rating from me. I enjoyed reading about the history of chivalry and different ancient and modern philosophers' views of the "gentl Is the idea of "the gentleman" still pertinent? This author asserts yes. And I would have to agree, given the definition he offers for what makes a true gentleman. This definition however seemed a bit garbled to me until the last few chapters. If the whole book was written with the clarity and assertiveness of the last two chapters, this book would have a much higher rating from me. I enjoyed reading about the history of chivalry and different ancient and modern philosophers' views of the "gentleman." And in the end, I actually do agree with the author's view that more true gentlemen (and gentlewomen as the case may be) are needed in the world. Favorite part of his definition came when he described the behavior of a true gentleman toward women - let them be what they want to be.
Erik –
If you are looking for a guide to being a gentleman, you've probably come to the wrong place. This is a rather thorough survey of the literature over the last 1000 years that define chivalry and its evolution into the idea of the gentleman. There are no quick answers here, but it delves with real seriousness into concepts of defining the gentle man and the great men who shaped or described them. While I know little of the scholarship in this area, this book seems well grounded and thorough. Ther If you are looking for a guide to being a gentleman, you've probably come to the wrong place. This is a rather thorough survey of the literature over the last 1000 years that define chivalry and its evolution into the idea of the gentleman. There are no quick answers here, but it delves with real seriousness into concepts of defining the gentle man and the great men who shaped or described them. While I know little of the scholarship in this area, this book seems well grounded and thorough. There is a great deal of valuable ideas to digest.
Charity –
Not in love with the study of idiomology and felt like that took up too much of the book. Plus, he was super wordy. Did learn a little about history but the examples were definitely not uplifting. Will not be sharing this book with my class.
Chrisanne –
Not what I expected, but I love the research in this book. Gave me some good starting points for future research. I wish I had read it and Morte de Arthur at the same time. I enjoyed his opinions.
Don Incognito –
This book is mostly about the history and philosophy behind being a gentleman. If you're looking for practical situational advice, it's only somewhat useful. Not an etiquette manual. This book is mostly about the history and philosophy behind being a gentleman. If you're looking for practical situational advice, it's only somewhat useful. Not an etiquette manual.
Brian –
Mostly good. Goes over the history of chivalry and discusses its use in the modern world. The author only occasionally interjects his opinion without providing support.
booklady –
Clare's review of this was so good I am recommending it to my daughters and I want to read it as well! Clare's review of this was so good I am recommending it to my daughters and I want to read it as well!
John –
Eh, wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I couldn't slog thorough it. Eh, wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I couldn't slog thorough it.
John –
I very much enjoyed this book. Chivalry has had its' share of detractors over the years, but this book builds a solid argument for striving to become a "gentleman". I very much enjoyed this book. Chivalry has had its' share of detractors over the years, but this book builds a solid argument for striving to become a "gentleman".
Major Doug –
Listened to this book: good perspective for any Dad.
Jake Protivnak –
Jeremy –
Sam Moore –
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Stuart W. Ross –
Steve Morrison –
Josh L. –
Roger –
Francisco Leite –
Bill Trumpler –
Dillon Hughes –