By Bryce Bison

Ok men, you've ended up at a Christian Men's web magazine. You may or may not be the book reading type, so this could be the out you are looking for: a book review; information about a book you didn't have to read, by a guy who is not selling it to you. The book I have chosen for our inaugural voyage into webzine stardom is The Accountable Man, by Tom L. Eisenman.

As you can imagine, this is a book about male accountability. This is an easy to read, small paperback, at 144 pages long. I believe that it is geared for all types of guys, readers and non-readers alike. Readers will hear testimony from Tom about how his life went from 'the doldrums of a self-satisfied Christian life,' to a place of renewal through repentance, obedience and accountability.

I like this book because it starts at the very beginning. Eisenman establishes the need for accountable relationships in men's lives. He then goes on to define just how an accountable relationship looks. One feature of this book I found very entertaining (and slightly uncomfortable,) is the story line of Bill and Larry. At the beginning of each chapter there is an italicized segment that is the story of Bill and Larry's relationship. The Bill and Larry segments illustrate a sucessfully accountable relationship. If you have not had a successful accountability relationship with another man, then this may seem over the top touchy-feely, as the author shows how this type of relationship has an element of intimacy.

Eisenman gives us a step by step 'how to' showing us the stages of developing the type of relationship that can launch a Man's walk with God. He begins by suggesting you identify a man that has qualities you admire. After that, arrange a meeting with that individual and share your ideas about an accountability relationship. If the person you have talked to is open to the idea, then you both step back for a week or two and pray about it. When you do meet for the first time, share expectations about the relationship including goals and logistical details like when and where you will meet. The next step is to set up a 'trial period'. This gives both guys an opportunity to bale out if things aren't going the way they hoped.

In the book, the author teaches us how to be good listeners, both to your accountability partner and to the Holy Spirit. He also gives us instruction on how to confront each other seriously and lovingly. Another good feature of this book is that the author gives pages and pages of accountability questions.  These questions are designed specifically to reveal certain areas of life that the reader may or may not want to expose and to reveal other areas the reader may not even be aware of.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this book for any man that wishes to grow into something better. I am thankful that Tom Eisenman has written this book, as it has helped me in my own life to overcome some of 'the doldrums' I have faced.