Review - The Dangerous Book For Boys

“Love the sea, the ringing beach and the open downs. Keep clean, body and mind”
– Sir Frederick Treves

So begins "The Dangerous Book For Boys", a clearinghouse of information the authors feel all modern boys should know, written by brothers Hal and Conn Iggulden. 

These days, when most kids spend only a few minutes a day outside, opting for time in front of a television or computer, the book’s premise and mission is to stimulate imagination and get kids up and out the door to explore the natural world and create adventures for themselves. 

The book, which is visually lovely and well written contains a variety of illustrated how to’s, from making the perfect paper airplane to tying a bowline knot. Additionally the authors have lovingly researched and presented a wide assortment of topics ranging from Native American code talkers and card tricks to Shakespeare and Greek mythology.

In general, I liked this book very much. The subject matter is vast and interesting. The how to's are explained and illustrated well enough to be easy to follow. The subject matter is appropriate for kids as young as nine or ten, but will also be of interest to pre-teens and young adults. Both my husband and father in law were inordinately excited after leafing through the book. The appeal to “boys” of all ages is clear.

And therein is my only issue with the authors. I understand the title of the book; you have to have an angle and a target demographic, right? However in my opinion the topics would be just as interesting and beneficial to girls as to boys.

I would have loved a book like this when I was nine years old. Reading through it took me right back to the days when I used to seek my own adventures. So it seems a little limiting to only consider half of the population when trying to sell a book as full of information as this one.

Overall, I would highly recommend “The Dangerous Book…” for girls AND boys from ages eight to eighty. There is truly something for everyone.

To read more reviews of the book and get some different perspectives, check out the entire campaign at Parent Bloggers Network or visit the official website for more information and for a chance to win your own copy of the book.

Comments

[Jennifer]

So cool. One of the author's was on The Colbert Report and I thought the book sounded neat. I'm glad to read the review of a "real person." Thanks, Jennifer

[wordgirl]

Anything about the Native American Code Talkers fascinates me...and I'm not even a boy. Still...I live with a few who would definitely love this book.

[wordgirl]

Anything about the Native American Code Talkers fascinates me...and I'm not even a boy. Still...I live with a few who would definitely love this book.

[Chris]

It does sound like it would've been wonderful to have - I just got a great mental picture of you sticking post-its onto covers at the bookstores with your title annotation...

[Elizabeth]

I reviewed this book as well, on MomReviews, and my favorite chapter was the section on "Girls". The advice included offering to help a girl lift something heavy, but if it's too heavy for you (the boy), sit down on it and engage her in conversation! What century are these authors living in??

I know you have your hands full, but if you get a minute, I gave you an award on my blog and I'd love for you to stop by and see what it is :)

[Heather]

This tomboy won paper airplane contests and still remembers how to tie a bowline. Sounds like a cool book if you take out the "for boys" (as opposed to "for kids") part.