A Better Man

A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son

By: Michael Ian Black

Narrated by: Michael Ian Black

A poignant look at boyhood, in the form of a heartfelt letter from comedian Michael Ian Black to his teenage son before he leaves for college, and a radical plea for rethinking masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love.

“As a parent of both boys and girls, I find myself rebuffing the gender-based cultural assumptions that are foisted on them more frequently than I could have ever imagined. Thank you, Michael Ian Black, for challenging society’s antiquated approach to raising boys and deepening the conversation about what we actually want for our kids. Sir, you are a good egg.” (Samatha Bee, host of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee)

In this thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply personal audiobook, comedian, actor, and father Michael Ian Black gets (mostly) serious about the trouble with masculinity. In the form of a heartfelt letter to his college-bound son - but with ideas sure to resonate for many parents - he reveals his own complicated relationship with his father, explores the damage caused by the expectations placed on boys to “man up", and searches for the best way to help his son be part of the solution, not the problem, in a world in which the word masculinity now goes hand in hand with “toxic".

Part memoir, part advice audiobook, Black delivers a poignant answer to an urgent question: How can we be, and raise, better men? A Better Man is for parents, yes, but it is also for anyone looking for a path forward as we navigate the complex gender issues of our time.

©2020 Michael Ian Black (P)2020 Recorded Books

should be required reading for any male oriented group

the best book ive read in 2024. I think every single male should put politics aside and read this book, when it comes down to it everything is about DIGNITY and we.lose sight of that. If I had a son moving off to college, I absolutely would give this to them. a very different michael ian black than from his talking heads on vh1/mtv

Loved it

As a father to a young son, this was exactly what I wanted and needed. I loved this book. Funny, sweet, and smart, it speaks to my own hopes and thoughts about sharing with my son what it means to, one day, become a man.

Good advice can be boring. This is not.

A well supported and funny look at what it means to be a better man.

Wow

Michael Ian Black has truly struck gold with this book. He deftly weaves between topics like love, sex, relationships, and societal problems, and then ties them to the overarching subject of masculinity. So much care, love, and wisdom went into the writing of this book, and although it was written to his son, almost anyone could relate to the words therein. The author’s narration is perfect, and I loved listening to every minute of this audiobook. I highly recommend it.

Thank you

Just a big thank you for the author. It shouldn’t take that much bravery to speak to your son that way, but I guess it’s the point of the book. Anyone with a son, young or old, should take a listen.

No matter what

As a single mother who is a feminist, I find myself often pinning the world’s problems. I will not do that anymore. I will encourage his tender heart and silly humor and watch him shine like the gem he is. I needed to hear this thank you Michael!

You get me MIB, you get me

As the parent of two teenage boys, this book spoke to so many of the fears, hopes, dreams, and anxiety I feel as they get closer and closer to leaving home. A beautiful letter to a son in today’s world with an increasingly complex view of masculinity. You did it again, Michael Ian Black.

Terrific and recommend

Quick paced, heartfelt, warm and funny. He nails it and I indeed to steal most of his ideas for myself and my son as we move through life.

Not what I expected. Start slow but gets better.

I expected more comedy, but was pleasantly surprised at this love letter to his son, which shares advice on what it means to be a man today.

Wisdom and compassion for new men

An honest and soul-searching reaching-out to those becoming men. this book examines what being a real man means, not macho or in a toxic way, but with compassion and understanding. It's a wonderful gift for humans of truth and love, written and well-read by the author.