Today's teenage boys and young men desperately need encouragement.
Ironically, many need both an arm around the shoulder and a proverbial kick in the butt; both affirmation and challenge, and they need it from voices that acknowledge their emotional complexity while not apologizing for their intrinsic maleness.
In A Path to Manhood, author Paul Cumbo draws on his two-decades-plus experience of teaching, coaching, and mentoring teenage boys and young men to deliver concise, relatable messages on the pursuit of virtuous living. By eschewing the reductive depictions of masculinity in traditional culture, readers will better learn how to use personal strength for the betterment of themselves and others.
With compassion and conviction, Cumbo explores self-knowledge, friendship, education, finance, vocation, health, habits, love, marriage, faith, and fatherhood. While addressed directly to young guys themselves, the book will resonate with their parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors.
Combining skilled storytelling, a keen understanding of masculinity, practical spirituality, an inclusive attitude, and good-natured humor, A Path to Manhood invites today’s young men to take an honest look at themselves, practice discernment, and make thoughtful decisions and takes readers on a compelling journey of the mind and heart.
"A Path to Manhood is a valuable guide for young men coming of age in a culture struggling to understand authentic masculinity. Cumbo masters the art and science of 'tough love,' blending wisdom and wit to challenge and encourage the reader. A go-to for young guys, as well as their parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors."
- Michael Gurian, New York Times Bestselling Author of Saving Our Sons
"A Path to Manhood is a quick-paced, engaging read, full of relatable vulnerability, critical thinking, and robust explanations of the universal values that truly matter. Paul Cumbo provides a masterful blueprint for raising and engaging the 'emerging men' of today for tomorrow."
- Luke Russert, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and New York Times Bestselling Author of Look for Me There
"A Path to Manhood offers a wealth of deep insight, no-nonsense advice and genuine encouragement for today’s adolescent boys and young men. It’s a compact, readable book that covers a surprising amount of ground, from self-discipline to spirituality. Paul Cumbo couples wisdom with good-natured humor, and his expertise from more than two decades working with this demographic shines through. But, even more importantly, so too does the patient, unassuming, encouraging voice of a true teacher."
- James Martin, SJ, author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything
“At a time when so many young men struggle on the threshold of manhood, teacher, coach and mentor Paul Cumbo offers them warm encouragement and heartening challenge in his new book, A Path to Manhood. Young men need just this kind of clarity, support and understanding. I hope each and every young man—and those who love him—find their way to this book.”
- Michael Reichert, PhD, author of How to Raise a Boy
“With clarity, candor, and gentleness, Cumbo offers wise and down-to-earth counsel to young men navigating the unpredictable, challenging, and joy-filled paths of adolescence and young adulthood. His counsel is not preachy, but comes from a place of deep respect, care, and concern. A Path to Manhood is also a must-read for any educator or parent entrusted with the care of young men.”
- Kevin O’Brien, SJ, author of The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life