This is the month for the dads, but even if you're not a dad, EB Recommends for June focuses on books that will particularly appeal to men, boys and the more masculine in all of us.
Exclusive Books Fanatics research confirms that it is mainly women who buy books (our regular loyalty club members are about 70% female, 30% male). While it may be true that many women are buying books for others — for the family or as gifts — the Fanatics female and male Top 10 best-sellers reveal reading tastes across the gender divide. In general, the Fanatics female Top 10 is dominated by fiction and self-help, the Male Top 10 contains mainly current affairs, biography, magazines and newspapers, with a smattering of self-help.
No matter who you are, Exclusive Books has meaning for virtually every book buyer in the country. Whether the ubiquitous “EB” means Endless Browsing for you or Everyday Bliss or Everybody’s Bookshelf, Exclusive Books has been Home of the Booklover since 1952. If you are a dad or buying for dad or finding any reason to buy a book, Exclusive Books Recommends for June features some manly books — in the areas of inspiration, sport, business, natural history and biography. Here are some highlights.
Harry Oppenheimer: Diamonds, Gold and Dynasty, by Michael Cardo
In the first full-scale biography of Oppenheimer, based on unrestricted access to private papers and extensive interviews with family and close associates, Cardo avoids the corporate hype and the political propaganda to produce a vivid, fully-rounded portrait. He brings to life the places, people, events and relationships that shaped Oppenheimer’s rich 25-year career as an international gold-and-diamond magnate and ubiquitous philanthropist who helped propel the process of reform in the country.
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Ryan Holiday’s The Daily Dad
Based on the principle that wisdom is accumulated piece by piece, day by day, book by book, podcast by podcast, this is the best bits of parenting advice picked up by the modern stoic and motivational guru in a compendium of daily readings that will motivate, inspire and offer perspective. This book stays next to my bed and gets dipped into nearly every night. An invaluable companion to presenting the most difficult job of all.
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Wisdom of Morrie by Morrie Schwartz, edited by Rob Schwartz.
Schwartz, the beloved subject of the classic, multimillion-copy best-seller Tuesdays with Morrie, explores how to remain vibrant and connected for life in this profound and poignant book on living and ageing well. Later life can be filled with many challenges, but it can also be one of the most beautiful and rewarding passages in anyone's lifetime. Morrie draws on his experiences as a social psychologist, teacher, father, friend and sage to offer us a road map to navigate our futures.
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Magic — Desiree Ellis by Luke Alfred
Ellis has been associated with Banyana Banyana, the South African women’s national football team, for 30 years — initially making her mark as a player (1993-2002), before transitioning to coaching. Taking the experience of 32 caps, including captaining the team when South Africa won the inaugural Cosafa Women’s Cup in 2002, she went on to become the most successful women’s coach in the country. This book tracks her inspiring football journey that began many years before on the humble streets of Salt River in Cape Town and illustrates how dreams can come true.
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The CEO X Factor by KC Rottok Chesaina
What is the X factor that ensures a CEO’s success? Rottok Chesaina seeks to uncover the personality traits, business acumen and leadership values that have turned CEOs into captains of industry. Based on extensive research and focused interviews with the leaders of some of South Africa’s top companies including Vodacom, Bidvest, Capitec Bank, RMB, Dis-Chem, Discovery Health, Nedbank, Sanlam, Momentum, Curro, Exxaro, Harmony Gold and MTN, Chesaina’s book takes you to the heart of corporate SA.
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Origin Africa by Jonathan Kingdon
Origin Africa is a unique introduction to the natural history and evolution of the most misrepresented continent on Earth. Celebrated evolutionary biologist and artist Kingdon, a leading expert on the natural history of Africa, tells this fascinating story as never before. Origin Africa chronicles how the natural conditions of Africa enabled a spectacular evolution of plants and animals, including Homo sapiens. Featuring a wealth of photographs and illustrations, the book is a visual and narrative feast.
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