This is a book about male friendships, something somehow difficult for many in our society. Ambrose combines historical habits with biography to tell stories of male friendships.

         Beginning with his own brothers he moves on to talk about some famous personalities and their relationship. The Eisenhower brothers, Eisenhower and Patton, the Custer boys, Chief Crazy Horse and He Dog, Lewis and Clark, and even Richard Nixon who had no friends are included. He concludes with his friendship with his dad.

         The good of the book for men is that it allows a chance to think about the quality of our relationship to the men in our lives. At least it was that way for me.

         As you read the stories it seems that friendships are born out of deep shared experiences. Some are more open to connecting than others. Eisenhower seemed to find friendships natural and easy, while Nixon never did, except perhaps with his daughters.

         There are more detailed books about male bonding and why men do or don't. This book simply tells how it was with some men.

         On a personal level I found myself thinking about my relationships with my 3 brothers and various cousins, regretting the separations that reduced the kind of opportunities necessary to nourish real friendships. I realize that I am closest to those with whom I have either shared some history of intense involvement or who I have contact with on a regular basis.

         There are men in my life with whom I feel in tune and find it easy to pick up as though we had never left off. I found myself regretting not having more time for "quality time." I realized that though my dad and I had a respectful, mutually affirming relationship, I would never call us pals. We didn't hang out together. I'm sorry we didn't.

         During this last year I have been part of a men's reading group. It is a group based on discussion of shared reading. Much of the time we stray from the subject of the books into personal thoughts and feelings. There is a dynamic of relationship developing. It shows that men who think together, drink wine together, share personal feelings with each other, can develop a special closeness. I look forward to resuming my place in the group when summer is over.

         I also realize that there are men I meet along the way that I wish I could know better, but probably never will. Most of us are fortunate to have and maintain even a few really close relationships in a lifetime. Friendships can save us from isolation and self-centeredness. I am sure they contribute to our physical health and happiness as well.

         139 pages of easy reading with potential to stir feelings and thoughts.