You matter. So keep going.
Today’s teenage boys and young men need both an arm around the shoulder and a proverbial kick in the butt. They need both affirmation and challenge from balanced voices that acknowledge their emotional complexity without apologizing for their maleness. In A Path to Manhood, author Paul Cumbo draws on over twenty years of experience as a teacher, coach, and mentor to block out the noise, cut through the confusion, and deliver relatable, encouraging guidance for young men in pursuit of a virtuous life.
Concise, conversational chapters explore self-knowledge, friendship, education, finance, vocation, health, habits, love, marriage, faith, and fatherhood. While addressed directly to young guys themselves, the book will also resonate with their parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Cumbo’s skilled storytelling, keen understanding of masculinity, practical spirituality, inclusive attitude, and good-natured humor combine to take 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
“There has been much talk in recent years about ‘the boy crisis.’ Paul Cumbo understands that the problem at its root is not about globalization, not about deindustrialization, but about the spiritual journey, about our culture’s failure to teach boys what it means to be a man. Drinking deeply from the well of the Western tradition, from Aristotle to Tolkien, Cumbo provides a useful guide for a teenage boy to find his own path to manhood. Highly recommended.”
- Leonard Sax MD PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
“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
“I was lucky to have Paul as a mentor in high school and witness first-hand his dedication to shaping men of character, compassion, and competence. Years later, A Path to Manhood opened my eyes to how much more there is to discover in my own journey as a father, husband and artist, and Paul lays out advice for my stage of life in a funny, inviting way. I encourage other guys to pick up this inspiring book, read it, and grow. Anyone with a son, husband, or brother will also gain an illuminating perspective.”
- Ian Harding, Star of Pretty Little Liars, Father, and Author of Odd Birds
“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
“Written with a desire to ease the hearts and minds of young men and those who care for them, A Path to Manhood addresses an array of challenges faced by boys and young men today. Paul Cumbo intertwines the wisdom gained through his own life's journey with research across an array of pertinent fields in this timely, well-informed exploration of positive masculinity.”
- Ann Holmquist, Ed.D, Vice President for Mission, Loyola High School of Los Angeles
“Paul Cumbo doesn’t buy the cultural narrative that men are simple--and in stating this upfront, he frees boys and young men to embrace their complexity. In A Path to Manhood, Cumbo empowers boys to create lives of meaning. A great book for teen and young adult males!”
- Jennifer L.W. Fink, co-host of ON BOYS podcast & author of Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World that Misunderstands Males
“The boy who learns to kindle and tend the fire will become the man who keeps us all warm. In A Path to Manhood, Paul Cumbo takes us on the spiritual and life journey that burns in each young man’s heart and soul—his desire to be loved and purposeful in his home, his community, and in his devotion to faith.”
- Sean Kullman, President of the Global Initiative for Boys and Men and co-author of Boys: A Rescue Plan with Michael Gurian.
“Paul Cumbo has offered a great service to anyone involved in the adventure of raising boys – as parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, or mentors. A Path to Manhood will offer dozens of conversation starters, inviting young men to think about the building blocks of a good life. Get a copy for yourself and another copy as a birthday or graduation gift for him!”
- Tim Muldoon, Professor at Boston College and author of Living Against the Grain
“A must-read for every guy on the path to Christian manhood.”
- Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, author of God's Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will