190,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Come visit us in-store this weekend! 📚 Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Better Man

Reclaiming masculinity for good
Brief Description
A practical guide to foster healthy masculinity, Better Man is the book parents, educators and boys need – from the CEO of The Man Cave. ‘Ben is a man who deeply understands the challenges that boys face. This book cuts through all the noise, and pierces... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4199
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

A practical guide to foster healthy masculinity, Better Man is the book parents, educators and boys, need – from the CEO of The Man Cave.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A practical guide to foster healthy masculinity, Better Man is the book parents, educators and boys need – from the CEO of The Man Cave.

‘Ben is a man who deeply understands the challenges that boys face. This book cuts through all the noise, and pierces straight to the core of what they truly require from us.’ Luke Bateman

Many men are struggling, some are in crisis. Society is shocked by male violence and depression – which not only impacts men, but women, children and queer people too – and some of the loudest voices in the space are spouting hateful messages. The word ‘masculinity’ doesn’t always conjure something positive. Better Man is an urgent call to reimagine this; to help boys and men.

Drawing on two decades of work with boys and men, and his own personal experiences, author Ben Vasiliou has written a practical guide on how to promote healthy masculinity. This book tackles the big, contentious issues, such as toxic masculinity and the manosphere, and unpacks the problems at the core of them. Without judgement, Ben shares real-life examples of men who’ve experienced shame, or insecurity, or been close-minded, and how his work helped them grow into emotionally aware, healthier people who are thriving, not just surviving.

The best part? Better Man illustrates how to do just that through both broad principles, like avoiding blame and shame, and specific tips and tools, like low-pressure conversation starters.

This book is for anyone raising, teaching, loving – or being – a man. It offers a roadmap away from rigid stereotypes and towards a more expansive, hopeful future of masculinity. When men thrive, so do the communities around them. It’s time to reclaim masculinity for good.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761638497

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2026

Country: Australia

Imprint: Simon & Schuster Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Ben Vasiliou is the father of two teenagers and the CEO of The Man Cave, one of Australia’s leading organisations helping boys and young men build emotional strength, self-awareness, and healthy relationships. Ben has spent his career tackling some of the toughest issues facing men and boys, including a seven-year stint as CEO of Youth Projects, where he worked on the frontline with young people facing homelessness, addiction, and complex disadvantage. From school halls to crisis services, and from boardrooms to one-on-one conversations with young men at breaking point, his work is grounded in real-world experience. His leadership of major social change initiatives aimed at building healthier, more connected communities has earned him Innovator of the Year and a place among Pro Bono Australia’s top 25 most influential people in the social economy. Ben was also named one of Australia’s Top 5 CEOs by Third Sector, and was awarded Scholar of the Year by the Australian Leadership Hub in 2023.

More from Parenting & Family

View all
  • Raising Human Beings
    Raising Human Beings by Dr. Ross W. Greene, renowned child psychologist and bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child, presents a transformative approach to parenting that helps foster strong parent-child relationships while nurturing key traits such as empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence. This insightful guide is not only a manual for good parenting but also a roadmap...
    Paperback
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition)
    Honour his legacy with the greatest gift of all—his story. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Your dad's story is more than just memories—it's a journey filled with wisdom, experiences, and defining moments that shaped his life. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is a guided journal that gives him the chance to share those stories in his own...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Explosive Child [Sixth Edition]
    The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene, PhD, now in its revised and updated sixth edition, delves deeply into a revolutionary, research-based approach to understanding and parenting children who frequently display severe fits of temper and other challenging behaviours. Penned by a distinguished clinician and pioneer in addressing the needs of children with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, this ground-breaking...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story
    Give Your Mum a Beautiful Gift of Legacy, Love, and Lasting Memories Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story is the fun and delightful way for you to discover everything from your mother's childhood memories to the profound turning points in her life. Featuring specially selected questions in an easy-to-use layout, each intentional section gives Mum a place to share...
    Paperback
    $2099
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Whole-Brain Child: 12 revolutionary strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
    Are you often left bewildered by your child's outbursts or stubborn behaviour? Do you find it challenging to understand why they seem to act irrationally? The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by esteemed neuropsychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson provides enlightening answers to these common parenting dilemmas. This groundbreaking and...
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Good Inside
    ‘The voice of reason for a generation of… mums and dads’ – The Guardian Wildly popular parenting expert Dr Becky Kennedy shares her groundbreaking approach to raising kids in a way that feels good. Over the past several years, Dr Becky Kennedy—known to her followers as ‘Dr Becky’—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Matrescence
    A revelatory account of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain and body A New Statesman and Daily Mail Book of the Year During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological and psychological metamorphosis. There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic change—other than adolescence. And yet,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Attached
    Is there a science to love? In the revelatory book Attached, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel S. F. Heller delve into the world of attachment theory, offering illuminating insights and practical advice on navigating relationships. Pioneered by psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950s, attachment theory posits that our behavioural patterns in relationships stem from one of three...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Cribsheet
    Emily Oster is the non-judgemental girlfriend holding our hand and guiding us through pregnancy and motherhood. She has done the work to get us the hard facts in a soft, understandable way. — Amy Schumer Parenting is full of decisions, nearly all of which can be agonised over. There is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors,...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)
    The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry is a profound and insightful guide that addresses the complexities of human relationships. Drawing from her extensive experience as a psychotherapist, Perry delves into the intricacies of how we connect with others, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Modern Dad
    A love letter to modern fatherhood and being a stay-at-home dad by one of NZ's most popular storytellers. Louis Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is one of Aotearoa's most popular storytellers, with a combined global audience of three million people tuning in to see his heartfelt and funny videos about fatherhood, fishing, and whānau life. But even with three young children—and...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • He'll Be OK
    Paperback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 190,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.