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When we think about affairs of honor in 19th-century America, our minds typically bring up images of well-dressed gentlemen facing each other at dawn, pistols gleaming in the morning light. The duel — with its elaborate codes, precise…
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Two Years After Cormac McCarthy’s Death, Rare Access to His Personal Library Reveals the Man Behind the Myth. If you’ve been following AoM long enough, you know that Cormac McCarthy is one of my favorite writers. So I was fascinated to…
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Several months ago, friends of ours hired movers for their family’s cross-country relocation.They got bids from three companies and chose the cheapest — International Van Lines — both because of the price and because the delivery date…
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 Most people think of anger as a problem — something to avoid or repress. It’s irrational, immature, and best left behind.But what if anger isn’t bad? What if it can actually be an incredibly positive, productive, energizing life…
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Laura Davidson SOHO II Office Chair. A few weeks back on Dying Breed, I gave readers a tour of our home office. I noted how we needed new office chairs and solicited recommendations. Reader Alex B. pointed us toward the Laura Davidson…
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There you are, captured behind enemy lines, locked in a makeshift POW camp. Your only chance of escape? The M60 Patton tank sitting unguarded just beyond the fence. If you’re able to get inside it, would you be able to start it up and…
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in: Character, Knowledge of Men, Podcast Brett & Kate McKay • August 26, 2025 When you picture a gunfighter, you probably think of a Hollywood cowboy — spurs jangling, six-shooter on his hip, squaring off at high noon in…
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I didn’t think about my blood pressure in my 20s and 30s. I only noted it when it got checked during urgent care visits. I always thought it was something I’d worry about when AARP sent me a welcome letter.While I’m not quite ready for…
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 Making big decisions can feel paralyzing. Whether it’s choosing a new job, moving to a different city, or deciding if you should break up with someone, these choices can keep you agonizingly stuck, forever cycling through pros and…
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The Iliad by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles. My 14-year-old son Gus just finished this Homeric epic, and he really enjoyed it. We’ve had some great conversations about it. Fagles’ translation is my go-to for Homer because it’s…
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When you think of water workouts, your mind probably goes to lap swimming, water aerobics, or maybe some high-octane Navy SEAL pool drill. What probably doesn’t come to mind is treading water — something you learned in swim class as a…
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The Oxford cloth button-down — OCBD, for short — is a classic men’s style staple.Born on Ivy League campuses, it’s got a preppy pedigree that’s been adapted and refined by musicians and artists, students and professors, craftsmen and…
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in: Behavior, Character, Podcast Brett & Kate McKay • August 19, 2025 The ancient art of rhetoric has shaped political policies, influenced social movements, structured legal arguments, and molded cultural narratives…
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Most people can make a plan. Planning is fun. You get to dream, scheme, and visualize a future where everything is awesome.But executing plans?A lot of people struggle with that.A few months ago, I did a poll on the AoM WhatsApp Channel …
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Veja Rio Branco II Mesh Sneakers. My trusty New Balance 574s finally gave out after years of faithful service, so I pulled the trigger on these retro-styled running shoes. I’d been eyeing them for awhile. I’m a fan of that classic 80s…
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Patagonia Provisions Lemon Olive White Anchovies. I’ve never been a canned fish guy, but after reading Michael Easter’s article about the nutritional benefits of anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, I decided to give these Patagonia…
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A great business man develops the lust of power, the passion for conquest, as did Napoleon or other great warriors. The desire to achieve, to dominate, grows stronger and more vigorous with every new victory.The ambition for greater…
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in: Outdoor/Survival, Podcast, Skills Brett & Kate McKay • July 29, 2025You’re on an airplane that crash lands. Smoke fills the cabin, and you’ve got only seconds to react. How would you respond? Would you immediately…
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Last year, we wrote a guide to how to take your first backpacking trip, offering a complete primer for getting out there, even if you’re a little intimidated by the idea.If going backpacking seems daunting when it will just be adults,…
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in: Gear, Lifestyle Brett & Kate McKay • July 24, 2025A trusty pocket knife isn’t just a blade, it’s a versatile tool ready to help you navigate life’s little challenges and unexpected adventures. Here are ten (mostly)…
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