Rust And Nail is a book written by J. R. Liboiron who runs the Til Death Project. A site dedicated to helping men reach their full potential. J. R. also documents his journeys on Instagram as well. I first came across Rust And Nail scanning through some books on amazon and seeing it pop up with some books that I like (including The Outlaw’s Handbook). Rust And Nail is a collection of “essays” that reflect J. R.’s views of life, combat, and masculine development among other things.
I will say the only “fault” I found with the book is that the prose it a bit overwrought for my tastes in places and there are a couple of chapters that I lost what the ultimate point was because of the poetic nature of the prose. Again that’s just me others like a different style. But this book contains many important truths and harsh facts about life that should be shared with like minded men to develop themselves and become the best that they can be. The essays are usually only a page or two long and here I’m going to highlight some of my favorites but understand there is much more contained with the book.
Wolves
Wolves and sheep a common analogy we’ve heard plenty of times before, but just because we hear something doesn’t mean that we understand it. And even when we understand something does not mean that we are implementing it. In this essay J.R. talks about how we are conditioned from a young age to quash our dreams and fall in line becoming another cookie cutter consumer without true thought, conviction, or thumos. He talks about the importance of making the switch from the sheep path to the wolf path.
While we all know the sheep and wolf idea, have we actually switched over to the right path? Not with our words or thoughts but with our actions and lives. The wolf path is not an easy one and you will take hits hard and early that will make you question it. J.R. makes no bones about this and he speaks the truth. However slowly but surely you’ll find your footing and start moving. The path will be treacherous, hard, and be filled with ups and downs as J.R. says but in the end it is worth it because as J.R. mentions at the end of this essay “The world needs barbarians.”
Martial Life
If you are not prepared for battle and warfare you are not a man. J.R. talks about how through living the martial life you discover the truth in all things. Practicing for warfare is the basic tenet of manhood since our beginning at the dawn of creation. As J.R. says “In the most primal of basic necessities a man who is unwilling or unable to do this (violence) is useless”. Modernity has tricked many of us into thinking that this is no longer the case but that is not true. Understanding and most importantly being able to use violence is just as important now as it’s ever been.
“The modern world has made men soft. Creature comforts such as streaming TV, addictive junk food, pornography, and the endless desire to gluttonously collect materialistic possessions do nothing but enable further weakness”. The martial life is the remedy to all of this. It reconnects man with his true and primal nature and rekindles that fire deep in his soul. J.R. explains how the martial life and mindset changes men from victims to victors and gives them the tools necessary to overcome opposition in this world, physical and otherwise. It carries over and changes ever aspect of your life for the better. Get on the martial path now if you do not already walk it.
Pathfinder
In this essay J.R. talks about reclaiming your true purpose and your freedom. He talks about when you come into this world you are immediately set upon by restraining and restricting forces. “As you grew, you were influenced by a fearful society who encouraged you to celebrate the victories of others rather than your own.” we assumed that our elders knew what was best for us and were teaching us what was right. Not wrapping chains and bonds around our mind, body, and soul. Eventually “No longer did you desire with your bloody beating heart to live the life of the Pathfinder, fighting through life with purpose and driven determination.”
J.R. talks about if you live for other people you will never live your true calling. You’ll become numb and your soul will become a fireless husk. “There is a swell within your being. It it your soul cursing you, screaming at you to let it free”. You must break free of this and become the Pathfinder like you wanted to do as a child, before the fire was taken from your soul. When you walk the path “in your crumbled roadside shack the magic of your childhood will return. You will take the steps to put your dreams into action…the Pathfinder does not fear death. He fears a life not lived.”
The Spirit Of Men
In this essay J.R. highlights some very important themes and realities of the modern age. For starts he speaks of how the modern world seeks to snuff out the spirit of man through everything from “creature comforts” to the “narrative of the empire” and more. In this age you must fight and strive to retain your spirit for it will be crushed if you are not careful and give in to the modern age. He talks of how the farmer has been dragged from the fields, the hunter from the woods, and the warrior from the plains of battle and been shoved in an air conditioned office with rules that are not his own but those of robotic drones.
J.R. talks about a man must work out his freedom himself that an external source is not going to come along and free him. He states “To embody the spirit of man is to hold with high regard the warrior, the artist, and builder.”. J.R. goes on to describe things men can do to rekindle and embody this spirit once more to become men who are ready to fight for our beliefs and be capable of doing so. He tells us to fight, lift, create, write, and become men once more. He finishes with some powerful words “Stop making excuses. Be the archetype you desire to embody…Incinerate your weakness. Let the motherfuckers burn.”
Rust And Nail
Rust And Nail is a great rare book from someone who still has the spirit of masculinity intact in a world that does everything to soften and weaken us. Here I’ve just included a highlight of some essays there is much more in the book and many more topics covered. I counted 46 essays total in the table of contents so again lots more contained in this book. If you liked anything you heard so far then be sure to check this book out it’s a great one.
Click here to get your copy of Rust And Nail by J.R. Liboiron today.
