Gear Patrol

Customer reviews make or break countless decisions — particularly when it comes to where to dine. But why take the word of all the world’s self-righteous social media whores when you could rely on expert advice? That’s the idea behind Where Chefs Eat: A Guide to Chefs’ Favourite Restaurants ($13).

To the inexperienced, the words “techie” and “guy” seem synonymous. Sure, most guys do like technology these days — but like does not true a techie make. So while this list can absolutely be applied to any modern man, its real target is the hardcore gadget nut. The one who scours the blogs and refreshes…

The best handymen acquire their skills over a lifetime of tinkering, but if you’re all thumbs 365 days of the year consider The Art of Fixing Things ($11) by Lawrence E. Pierce a crash course in honey-do-list competence. Its 168 pages provide easy-to-follow tips supplemented by helpful photos in areas like automotive, appliances, household and…

1492 is a year that most Americans can immediately identify with. It was, of course, the year that North America was discovered by the beautifully misguided explorer Christopher Columbus. But what came after that? Sure, in the five hundred years-plus that have passed since the Italian landed on our shores, we’ve done alright setting things…

We’ve already spoiled you for choice with summer reading choices, but we’re generous when it comes to quality literature. A Labyrinth of Kingdoms: 10,000 Miles Through Islamic Africa ($20) by Steve Kemper catalogues the real-life epic of Heinrich Barth, a 19th century explorer who ranks among Stanley and Livingstone but is virtually unknown outside of…

We’re all materialistic to some degree. Let’s face it, that’s why you come to this site (besides the bombastic and articulate writers, of course). We would never advocate loving objects more than our loved ones or even the act of living itself — then again, did you see that 90-inch Sharp behemoth?. Examining the things…

The relentless pursuit of sartorial, intellectual, philosophical, and physical excellence is all codified in The Gentry Man: A Guide for the Civilized Male. Inside this manly bible, readers will find highlights from all 22 issues of Gentry Magazine published from 1951-1957 that some of our older readership might remember as the spiritual predecessor to GQ…

Having a firm grasp on history has always been a core pillar of a proper education. It provides context, insight and understanding on how things came to be, which is especially invaluable for those seeking to innovate. There are obviously innumerable texts on the subject, but for those looking for a casual refresher, it doesn’t…

Despite our concerted efforts to cover the best books over the course of the year, there are still plenty of worthy titles that we didn’t get around to talking about. Subsequently, these selections represent an end of the year GP reading list of sorts for bringing your home library up to speed on 2011. Pack…

The internet meme Awkward Family Photos has certainly faded from its former glory days as the golden child of internet humor, but that hasn’t stopped authors Mike Bender and Dough Chernack from developing their next great wrinkle on the same embarrassing theme — Awkward Family Pet Photos ($10). As you’d expect from the title, the…

Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the 7 Manly Virtues is the second book from Brett and Kate McKay, the husband and wife team behind the always awesome The Art of Manliness. The idea for the book spawned from one of their namesake web series, which shares inspiring words from famous men throughout history….

The first thing you should know about Maphead ($15) is that it’s written by Ken Jennings. Yes, it’s the same Ken Jennings who won Jeopardy 74 times in a row, taking home $3,172,700 in winnings and claiming the title of all-time leading money winner on American game shows. The second point worth mentioning is the…

Clearly, we’re fond of books that teach us more about the things we love. The subject matter alone of The Oxford Companion to Beer ($38) is enough to tempt most men to flip through its pages, but when you factor in that it’s been edited by Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster Garrett Oliver, it becomes a must…

Does the name Kevin Mitnick mean anything to you? Unless you happen to work for the FBI or a prominent internet security firm, the answer is probably no. Still, long before groups like Anonymous were practicing their own brand of hacktivism Mr. Mitnick had earned the title as the most wanted computer criminal in the…

Say what you will about the current condition of America’s 46,876 miles of highways, but there’s still no denying their status as a marvel of modern engineering and planning. You may recall from middle school social studies (or more recent History Channel binges) that Eisenhower championed the federal highway project as a necessary undertaking for…

Now in its third edition, Lifehacker: The Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, and Better ($19) is the perfect guide for streamlining your life — and unlike other tutorial books, you won’t feel like an idiot being seen with it. Featuring 121 new and classic hacks, tricks, and downloads from Lifehacker’s archives, the third edition has…

The Rockefeller name is about as close to American royalty as it gets. So you’d think if someone lied about being part of the family, it wouldn’t fly for very long. The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter ($17) proves anything is possible given you’re a…

The cigarette companies were slapped year’s ago for using illustrations in their ads on the grounds that it created young smokers in training. Still, those dirty peddlers were on to something. Beer Craft: A Simple Guide to Making Great Beer ($12) takes full advantage of the beauty and appeal of illustration to walk would-be brewers…

After spending at least 10 hours a week across the sports media titan’s various TV channels, websites, mobile apps, and maybe even the magazine, you might assume you know what ESPN is all about. A quick read through Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN ($15) proves otherwise. Starting with the…

References from film and TV are what flash into most people’s memory today when the subject of boxing arises in conversation. There are just too many great, engaging examples to draw on, from both real and fictional stories (Rocky 45 and Tyson v. Holyfield being exceptions). Before technology padlocked our imagination, though, writing was the…

The sports world is probably responsible for half of the world’s clichés. Fans, athletes, and coaches just love to boil everything down to one catch phrase out of fear that our feeble minds are only capable of processing things muttered in one huddled breath (which admittedly may very well be the case with Mike Tyson)….

Ping pong or Table Tennis for you highbrow types triggers memories for different people (Bangkok’s “ping-pong shows” not withstanding). Famous fans of the sport include everyone from Fidel Castro, Sasha and Malia Obama, to Henry Miller, and anyone who can recall a middle school history class should remember the term “ping-pong politics”. For the authors…

Colonel Roosevelt ($20) is the last and final installment of a trilogy of biographies written by Edmund Morris detailing the life of one of America’s greatest presidents and men. If you haven’t read the other titles which include the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Rex, we would encourage you to start…

Hip-hop may not be for everyone, but that hasn’t stopped Jay-Z from becoming a household name. Though his rise to fame stems through rapping, Mr. “I’m not a business-man. I’m a business…man” has earned praise from plenty of those outside the game, including Warren Buffet. So when a mind like that puts its attention towards…

Few people on the planet have ever epitomized rock and roll like Keith Richards. That’s one of the reasons why his long-awaited memoir Life ($16) is a must read. Filled with Keith’s surprisingly crystal clear recollections about the genesis of classics like “Ruby Tuesday” and “Gimme Shelter”, consider it a rare look into the special…

Though the expression is cliché, the freedom that we enjoy in America has always come at a high price. Gary William’s biography of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Purple Heart, is a meditation on the sacrifice and dedication exhibited by those who have served…

Whether you’re aware of it or not, there’s a growing debate in the U.S. over food. Led by writers like Michael Pollan, the so-called “Food Movement” questions America’s dietary habits and the production practices we’ve adopted to sustain them. In a similar vein, the New York Times seafood writer (yes they actually have one on…

The world of high stake, high-profile theft has been glamorized by Hollywood for decades. But what is it actually like? Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures ($15) is a look back on the career of Robert K. Wittman who is the founder of the FBI’s Art Crime Team and has…

Paul Newman left his mark on the planet in countless ways. He was a man’s man of an actor, a national championship winning race car driver, and an incredibly generous philanthropist. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in a variety of capacities including bomber turret gunner, and the father of three…

Extraordinary Interviews Exposing the World of Crime – Real and Imagined Admit it… you’ve thought about it: the allure and grandeur of a criminal lifestyle. It’s perfectly natural. Crime goes the extra mile picking the brains of bank robbers and killers, as well as the directors and actors who portray such personalities and events. Alix…