Unabashedly Prep

  • How To Be A Man

    Music & Books  

    As a man, if your education in dressing went something like this, “Here, put this on,” unbeknownst at the time, you suffered a huge injustice at the hands of your dad, mom, your ugly uncle—or heaven forbid, your mother-in-law. Glenn O'Brien has rightly observed that "looking good, or actually looking right, is not high on the cultural curriculum of the American male." And why should it be? Many of us spent the entirety of our childhood in costume. And for those who weren't, their clothes were neatly laid out on their beds for them each morning by their mums.

    Now, this is all good and well if your mom was Jackie O., Princess Di, or even C.Z. Guest. Odds are, they weren't. It is for this reason that I find Glenn O'Brien's How To Be A Man: A Guide to Style and Behavior for the Modern Gentleman required reading. Not only does O'Brien draw upon 30 years of sartorial expertise in expounding on style (versus fashion), but he delves into areas of behavior (how to deliver the correct insult anyone?), manhood, and philosophy. And it is all delivered in his trademark droll prose. Brush up on how to be a man...and make your ugly uncle proud at the next Christmas dinner.

    "If more men read Glenn O’Brien, women would have a lot less explaining to do.”

    —Kate Moss

    Nov 15, 2012 | Permalink (3) View/Leave Comments

    J left a comment on 12/5/2012 at 12:41 PM:

    @Tom, I read quite a few things that as a whole, I completely agree with and turn to for inspiration. There will always be parts though, that I do not agree with. This is what makes it your own unique style, the ability to draw inspiration from multiple sources and make it your own.

    Just curious though, what exact does he contradict that is in the book?


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 12/5/2012 at 8:45 AM:

    @Tom—I read every book I recommend/write about.


    Tom left a comment on 12/5/2012 at 8:15 AM:

    There are numerous anecdotes and pieces of advice in this book that your behavior and ‘style’ directly and aggresively contradict - have you actually read this?


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  • November 2012 Playlist

    Music & Books  

    Listen on Spotify

    Nov 1, 2012 | Permalink (4) View/Leave Comments

    Andrea left a comment on 12/1/2012 at 2:10 PM:

    NICE! Thanks!!


    Andy M. left a comment on 11/30/2012 at 8:36 AM:

    YES!  Glad to see the playlist back.  Thanks Fred.


    NJGlenn left a comment on 11/28/2012 at 9:42 AM:

    Thanks Fred.


    Isabel left a comment on 11/28/2012 at 4:27 AM:

    Yes! Been waiting so long for a new playlist….cheers! :)


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  • The Dangerous Book for Boys

    Music & Books  

    It was Albert Einstein who said, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot." By definition, that would make the crasis of Conn and Hal Iggulden's book The Dangerous Book for Boys very dangerous. They unveil with reckless abandon a brief history of artillery, how to  make a bow and arrow, fireproof clothing, build a treehouse, and make a battery from a stack of quarters—enough to keep a boy dangerous from eight until eighty.

    The Brothers Iggulden do manage to temper the score of "dangerous" activities with more, yet necessary, civilized fair. Understanding grammar, coin tricks, first aid, the game of chess, essential Shakespeare quotes, a rough list of books every boy should read (of which my favorite fantasy fiction The Lord of the Rings is included), and more are covered to produce an incredibly well curated guide to being a boy and becoming a man. It has effectively captured the imaginations of my 9 and 11 year old sons, not to mention my very own.


    "In this age of video games and cell phones, there must still be a place for knots, tree houses, and stories of incredible courage."

    —Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden


    We often lament we seemed to have more time during childhood—summers would last forever! This book will help you recapture those Sunday afternoons and long summers —because they're still long if you know how to look at them.

    Sep 25, 2012 | Permalink (7) View/Leave Comments

    James left a comment on 10/25/2012 at 1:08 PM:

    @FEC - well, thank you sir. I’ll take it!


    Matt left a comment on 10/25/2012 at 9:52 AM:

    This was one of the very first things I bought when I found out I was going to have a son. It was an instant favorite. From as early as 1 he would stare for hours at the bugs and fishh detailed inside and now that he’s (along with his little brother) almost 6 he’s moved on to the pirates, guns and battles. I love the idea of passing on the “old-school” information contained here. Its a refreshing change of pace to the digital addictions we’re prone to. I wish I’d have had a book like this at that age. This is a must-have for anyone with little boys.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 10/20/2012 at 8:28 PM:

    @Nia—How gendered the title is? It’s a book for boys!!! There is a Darimg Book for Girls written by Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz.


    Nia left a comment on 10/19/2012 at 2:41 PM:

    I don’t like how gendered the title is- but I’ve always been a Conn Iggulden fan and it is a marvellous book. It reminds me of going on camping trips during boarding school - always good to reminisce about those days!


    Peter left a comment on 10/19/2012 at 7:59 AM:

    Their ‘The Dangerous Book of Heroes’ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dangerous-Book-Heroes-Conn-Iggulden/dp/000726092X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350651510&sr=8-1) is really worth reading too. It’s a wonderfully inspiring, moving book.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 10/19/2012 at 12:08 AM:

    @James—You are the coolest dad in the world!


    James left a comment on 10/18/2012 at 12:16 PM:

    YES! Have this book, love this book, use it with my boys.
    They don’t know it, so they think that I am the coolest dad in the world!


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  • Eton Colours: An Essential Illustrated Aide Memoire

    Music & Books  

    While recently in England, I picked up this cool handbook of sorts, Eton Colours: An Essential Illustrated Aide Memoire. Eton College is arguably the most famous public school in the world and is steeped in tradition to boot. It has a unique system of sporting and House colors that has evolved over some 150 years. In 1937 there were already 47 colors, including those of the Houses. Today, there are 94 official colors in use. These colors stand at the heart of British tradition in sartorial and sporting prowess.

    One shop, New & Lingwood, has been outfitting the scholars of Eton College with all their formal and sporting attire since 1865. It's the college's official outfitter at 118 High Street, Eton, fitting out in many cases five generations of the same family. Caps, rowing zephyrs, boating and house blazers, house scarves, game socks...they stock it all.

    Lachlan Campbell’s delightfully illustrated book is not only essential for current Eton boys, the guidance of Beaks (members of the teaching staff), the interest of parents, and to remind Old Etonians of former glories, it is required reading for anyone interested in the history and tradition of British sport and style. Its quirky hand drawn plates and short form one-pagers bring a marvelous tradition of one of the world's greatest schools to life. You can pick up a copy at etoncolours.com. Just email them to have it shipped outside the UK. The book is priced at £9.99 and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy goes to the school.

    Sep 13, 2012 | Permalink (6) View/Leave Comments

    s.david left a comment on 11/12/2012 at 3:28 PM:

    R.Par.D.F, our party.  my house is number 6, hawtrey


    A. N. Etonian left a comment on 11/8/2012 at 9:08 AM:

    To Makaga - Eton goes from 13 years, before which one goes to a prep (preparatory) school


    Mike left a comment on 10/9/2012 at 10:16 PM:

    What a great find.  Thanks for highlighting this book.


    Andrew Eastman left a comment on 10/8/2012 at 5:02 PM:

    Just a note - Eton, though what the English call a “public” school, is private. They don’t mean quite the same thing Americans do when referring to “public schools.”


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 10/8/2012 at 8:38 AM:

    @Makaga—This aide was written by an Old Etonian with an intense love for his alma mater and the desire to share with future Etonians the rich and colorful history of this great school.


    Makaga left a comment on 10/8/2012 at 8:25 AM:

    Very neat book; thank you for the headsup.  My friend went to Eton (from age 6-18?) and I am curious what he will think of this book.


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  • July 2012 Playlist

    Music & Books  

    Listen on Spotify

    Jul 3, 2012 | Permalink (8) View/Leave Comments

    Claas left a comment on 7/22/2012 at 11:51 AM:

    Now it works. Cool stuff :D


    Kenneth left a comment on 7/21/2012 at 9:55 AM:

    Good playlist…..here is my current summer list

    Beach Fossils - Shallow
    Wilco- I’m Always in Love
    Sondre Lerche- Nevermind the Typos
    Wild Nothing- Shadow
    Of Monsters and Men- Little Talks
    Washed Out- Amor Fati
    Beach House- Lazuli
    Real Estate- Easy
    Stephen Malkmus- No One Is (As I Are Be)
    JEFF the Brotherhood- Hypnotic Mind
    Surfer Blood- Drinking Problem
    The Mary Onettes- Puzzles
    The Radio Dept.- This Time Around
    Tanlines- Brothers
    Passion Pit- Take a Walk
    Young the Giant- My Body


    Claas left a comment on 7/20/2012 at 12:40 PM:

    Well Spotify plays something but says the list is empty… seems to be a bug from the linux client… :-/


    Dane-Andrew left a comment on 7/19/2012 at 3:25 PM:

    I always look forward to the first of the month in hopes of the new playlist being available. Better late than never. And because it never fails to be anything shy of grand music, I dont mind the wait.
    Thanks a bunch Fred!


    Zach left a comment on 7/19/2012 at 11:27 AM:

    Fred, really solid playlist. I am totally in love with Frank’s album too.


    Desmond K left a comment on 7/19/2012 at 8:37 AM:

    I was wondering when you was gonna put out another playlist. I always look forward to then because I always end up learning about a new artist I previously never heard of. Its because of you that I’m now in love with the Mystery Jets!


    josh left a comment on 7/19/2012 at 7:22 AM:

    always enjoy the playlists keep them comin!
    - Josh in Denver


    Orgastic Future left a comment on 7/19/2012 at 3:16 AM:

    Hey F.E. Check out Freelance Whales! Awesome playlist as usual by the way!


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