Be A Good Man, Not A Nice Guy (a Guide To True Masculinity)

Learn how to stop being a nice guy and become a good man with this guide to true masculinity.

Being “nice” is not the same as being good—and it’s costing men their confidence, relationships, and purpose.

In Be a Good Man, Not a Nice Guy, author, speaker, and modern masculinity advocate Kelvin Davis challenges the outdated idea that men have to be passive, agreeable, and approval-seeking to be accepted—especially in love and life. This book is a wake-up call for men who are tired of being overlooked, misunderstood, or emotionally disconnected because they’ve been told to play it safe.

Through honest storytelling, cultural insight, and actionable tools, Davis guides readers through the transformation from a “nice guy” who performs to be liked…into a good man who leads with truth, character, and emotional strength.

This is not a book about being macho or dominant—it’s about being real, grounded, and responsible. Whether you’re navigating relationships, fatherhood, or personal growth, this book helps you reconnect with your core values and redefine what it means to be a man in today’s world.

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Who It’s For:

• Men who feel stuck in relationships where they can’t be fully themselves
• Readers seeking emotional maturity and purpose-driven masculinity
• Women wanting to understand the inner world of the “nice guy”
• Coaches, therapists, and educators guiding men through personal growth

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You’ll Learn:

• Why being “nice” is often a mask for fear and insecurity
• How to set boundaries without guilt
• What healthy masculinity actually looks like
• How to stop people-pleasing and start self-leading
• The habits of emotionally intelligent, grounded men

Introduction

Good Man: Security, Safety & Sanity

Chapter 1: Nice Guy, Bad Marriage

Chapter 2: Self Control & Confidence

Chapter 3: Learn From Losses

Good Man: Education, Environment & Empathy

Chapter 4: You’re The Problem

Chapter 5: Know Means No

Chapter 6: Good Men Do Good Shit

3 Currencies Of Life: Time, Money & Health

Good Man: Providing, Protecting & Patience

Chapter 7: Iron Sharpens Iron

Chapter 8: Nice Guys Finish Last

Chapter 9: Frustrated Father

Good Man: Habits, Hobbies & Happiness

Chapter 10: Go To Health

Chapter 11: Good Man, Great Marriage

Chapter 12: Faith Over Fear

Forgiven Not Forsaken (A letter to my mom & dad)

“Out of everyone, we''re most in love with Kelvin Davis of Notoriously Dapper.” —Glamour Magazine

“Body positivity and some welcome diversity.” —Cosmopolitan

“Davis certainly has something to say to young men about what we lose when we give up the concept of being a gentleman, and what we have to gain when we cherish it.” —The New York Times

Kelvin Davis is the founder and creator of Notoriously Dapper, a body positive menswear blog showcasing outfits to inspire men of all sizes to find confidence in their appearance. Kelvin has been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Daily Mail, and The New York Post, and he has modeled for Target, GAP, Vineyard Vines, and more. His first book, Notoriously Dapper: How to be a Modern Gentleman with Manners, Style and Body Confidence, was nominated for the 2018 NAACP Image Award.