By Peter Janetzki & Michael Knight
In Australia we have more than sixteen million people over the age of fifteen. With just under half of these being male, that there are a lot of blokes in our country – more than eight million of them.
Out of all these millions of blokes, you will certainly know a few. The question that we want to ask you is, how many authentic blokes do you know?
By ‘authentic blokes’ we mean blokes that you can really trust. Blokes that you can trust to be around your wife/partner, blokes that you can trust to be around your kids, blokes that you are prepared to trust your life with, blokes who would cover your back when you’re in a tough spot. Most people struggle to think of more than one or two. In the words of John Eldredge, ‘The world produces many boys, but it raises few men!’
- Why don’t we know what it is to be an authentic Aussie bloke – and why does it matter?
- How did we get into this situation?
- What are the distinguishing features of an authentic Aussie bloke?
- How do you become an authentic Aussie bloke?
Being a Bloke is written by two Aussie blokes, for all Aussie blokes. It’s punchy, pithy and provocative. Every chapter starts with an ‘in essence’ summary and finishes with a ‘next steps’ call to action.
And if you’re wondering, this is the essence of an authentic bloke: strength in action with character.
Want to know more? Read Being a Bloke. It’s for blokes – Aussie men and those who live with them, work with them, love them and raise them. It’s a quick read, but the impact could last a lifetime.
About the authors
Peter Janetzki is a counsellor and educator with a passion for relationships and personal development. He works with individuals, couples, families, corporations and government bodies, conducting courses and seminars on topics ranging from professional development and team building to parenting and sexuality. Peter is also the host of ‘Talking Life’, a weekly talkback program on Brisbane’s 96five.
However, Peter's greatest achievement has been his family: Neroli, his wife of 28 years, two daughters Kate and Rebecca, and son-in-law Wes. Peter is also a passionate Brisbane Lions Supporter and a keen surf fisherman.
Michael Knight finished high school at the end of Year 10 on the advice of his principal – in his words, ‘don’t come back!’ He’s been active in youth work and education since 1984. In 1992 Michael started Peer Power, one of Queensland’s most successful seminar programs for high school students. Michael is producer and author of a nationally bestselling video resource, ‘Sexual Sanity’, on adolescent sexuality and abstinence. What really matters to Michael is:
- his marriage to Ida (1985 and still going strong)
- their three significant financial challenges: two teenage daughters and a teenage son
- his passion for AFL and his team the West Coast Eagles (premiers 1992, 1994 and 2006!)
Michael is an ordinary bald bloke, a likeable larrikin, unorthodox in his thinking, outlook and practice.
Media information
Red Hill Publishing/Robert Collings
+61 (0)7 3166 8849
+61(0)4 0750 1787
Email
Publication information
Title: Being a Bloke
Authors: Peter Janetzki & Michael Knight
ISBN: 9780980672046
Format: trade paperback
Pages: 216pp
RRP: $32.95
Publication date: August 2010