[Editor's Note: For this, our Men's Issue, we asked our friends at the Pioneer Library System if they would like to submit an article focusing on books written by or about men. They readily agreed, and PLS librarian and marketing & communications specialist Kendall Watson happily agreed to take on the assignment. Here, he reviews three very different books, all written by men about men.]
King of the World
(Sports/History)
In King of the World, Pulitzer Prize-winner David Remnick captures Muhammad Ali’s rise from Cassius Clay to cultural icon with precision and heart. This is more than a boxing story—it’s about a man stepping into the public arena at a time when America was battling its own identity. Remnick doesn’t shy away from Ali’s complexities, showing a young man crafting his persona with boldness, charisma and conviction, even as he faced a world ready to tear him down.
For any man trying to define his own place in a world that demands compromise, Ali’s story hits deep. It's about knowing who you are, sticking to it and paying the price with dignity. Remnick’s writing is sharp and fast-paced, perfect for those who appreciate a biography that feels alive rather than stuffy. It’s a study in how personal grit and cultural upheaval can shape a true king.
The Shell Collector
(Outdoors/Short Stories)
Before Anthony Doerr became a household name, he wrote The Shell Collector—a collection of stories that dig into the quiet corners of life. Set in vivid landscapes from Africa to the coast of Maine, these tales explore men who find themselves wrestling with wonder, grief and transformation. Doerr's writing is razor-sharp yet lyrical, making even the smallest moments feel weighty. His characters often live far from crowds, learning truths about themselves through solitude and survival.
For men who see the outdoors not just as scenery but as a mirror, this book will strike a powerful chord. The Shell Collector reminds readers that strength isn't always loud, and real wisdom often comes when you're alone with your thoughts—or with the wildness of the world. It’s a collection that calls you to slow down and take a second look at everything you think you know.
Meditations
(Philosophy)
Written nearly 2,000 years ago, Meditations remains one of the purest, hardest-hitting reflections on leadership, duty and self-control ever penned. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius kept this private journal not for public eyes, but to remind himself how to stay disciplined, humble and calm in the face of chaos. His voice is refreshingly direct—less a philosopher preaching, and more a man trying to wrestle his own weaknesses into submission.
Every man who picks up Meditations will find himself nodding at hard truths: about anger, fear, pride and the shortness of life. It’s the kind of book you don’t just read—you keep on your shelf and come back to when life throws its hardest punches. If you're looking for something that’s equal parts tough love and deep encouragement, Marcus has been waiting centuries to hand it to you.
Kitchen Confidential
(Life Experience/Humor)
If you've ever wondered what happens behind the swinging doors of a restaurant kitchen, Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential is the brutally honest answer. Bourdain pulls no punches, dishing out stories of the grit, grime, and glory that define life on the line. His writing is part battle cry, part confession, told with the kind of reckless charm that made him a legend. This isn’t a sanitized food memoir — it’s a love letter to a world where toughness, loyalty, and pure guts rule.
Bourdain’s story speaks to every man who’s ever chased passion over comfort, who knows that the real rewards come after a thousand hard nights. He doesn’t romanticize the chaos — he honors it. Kitchen Confidential is for the guys who know the best stories come with a few scars, and the best meals are served with a side of laughter and hard-earned pride.