BOOK REVIEW: The Real Win by Colt McCoy & Matt Carter

Oh, the ubiquity of books about how to “man up” and “pursue Christ like a man.”  It’s a classic example of a widespread problem—the increase in what Mark Driscoll calls “boys who shave”—being defined and re-defined over and over in book after book.  Ironically, those who need most to read these books are playing X-Box instead of reading books.  And then there’s books about “how to be successful;” even more ubiquitous still.

“The Real Win,” co-authored by Pastor Matt Carter and NFL quarterback Colt McCoy is a book on how to be successful man.  Two strikes before even stepping in the box?  Actually, no.  It turns out that it’s all about how you define what a successful man looks like.  With a deft handling of scripture and a painfully honest recounting of their own failures, the authors avoid all the “genre snares” and give us a great handbook on what they call “authentic success.”

This book reads easy.  Even serial X-Boxers might give it a shot.  It’s super practical.  Gut-check evaluations are found throughout the book.  There’s one for assessing heart idol, another for diagnosing “leadership sins,” and several others.  These evaluations alone are worth the price of the book.

Although this book re-treads familiar territory for those who have read books for Christian men (family, work, temptation, legacy, etc.) it turns many of these concepts on their heads in fresh ways.  And it all leads to one consistent conclusion: Jesus Christ is the ultimate man, and true success is only found where He leads.  Riches aren’t guaranteed.  Neither are pain-free living and freedom from failure.  The only thing guaranteed is the unfailing love of the Savior.  And only there can a man find the foundation he needs to pursue true success.

This book would be great as gift for the man in your life who needs friendly prodding to “step up” or encouragement to keep pluggin’ away.  It would work great for a short, yet transformational men’s study.  The book even includes discussion questions in a five-session format.  This book is far from cliché, and I recommend it.