Selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Books of 1999, The Good Son guides parents in the moral and emotional development of young men. The author, Michael Gurian, founder of today's "boys movement", shows adult caretakers how to instill virtues in boys at each of the three stages of life: The Age of Obedience (birth to six); The Age of Convention (seven to twelve); and The Age of Moral Intuition (thirteen to eighteen).
The Good Son also addresses "moral emergency" questions on how to cope with stealing, violence, and other forms of severe misbehavior. In addition, Gurian furnishes a list of the fifty top books and films that will help stimulate moral growth in boys and young men. For parents and teachers who fear that our society has lost much of its moral and ethical underpinnings, The Good Son serves as a welcome guidepost.

Recommended highly as one of the basic must-read books on parenting and moral life.

From Library Journal-
“Gurian offers ethical explanations of youth violence: his "good son parenting plan" revolves around morality and discipline…He claims that boys are born with malleable "innate temperaments" that can be transformed into positive "male characteristics" such as self-control, courage, honesty, and sportsmanship. In short, boys can become leaders without resorting to violence. ……uses anecdotes to show that raising good sons need not be difficult…. Recommended.”

From Publishers Weekly-
"Lays out a well-organized blueprint for ushering boys into manhood...Outstanding."