The Modern Housewife: Review: The Dangerous Book for Boys

Five years ago three words were uttered that would completely change my world.

It's a Boy.

A boy? What do I do with a boy?

Don't get me wrong. I like boys. A lot. But to raise one from an itty bitty baby to a fully functioning adult male? And as my husband is fond of saying, "Every grown man is a miracle." I'm pretty sure I have my work cut out for me.

Without knowing anything about it, I was excited to review, "The Dangerous Book for Boys." Anything to give me a leg up on this boy-child of mine would be helpful.

I first received a paperback "not-for-sale" type copy. I looked at it, flipped it open, and sat down. This book is awesome. It isn't necessarily a read from page one to the end, more of a flip open and see what you get:

Paper airplanes
Skipping stones
Texas Hold'em
Brief history of artillery
Shakespeare
Go-Cart
Timers and tripwires
Building a treehouse
Making cloth fireproof
Common Trees
First aid

A couple weeks ago, I received the hard cover edition. I am absolutely delighted by it. I can truly see this book doing what the authors suggest: get boys off the computer and video games and get them outside to play. To think. To create. To build. To dream.

Growing up, one of my favorite books to read at my grandparents', was my dad's ancient copy of "The Boy Scout Manual." I loved that book. Reading about starting fires, dressing wounds, and building a shelter was intriguing. This book brings back some of that, and more. Other reviews I've read suggest it should be for 'boys and girls.' No. I like the idea that it's 'for boys.' I like the idea that they didn't gender neutralize this book. Are girls going to find interesting things to do and learn about in this book? I sure hope so. There are plenty of things in there I'd love to do with my daughters and my son.

I showed this book to my parents on their last visit. My dad wondered where he could get a copy. At the time, they weren't for sale yet. I gave him my "not for sale" copy, as I hadn't written my review yet, and truth be told, don't want to give up my copy. As of our last conversation, he's planning a treehouse.

What am I planning to do with this book? Tell every family I know about it... Right after I master Texas Hold'em.