I’ll admit it: I signed up to review Crossing the Goal: Playbook on the Virtues through the Catholic Company reviewer program with my husband in mind. It’s written for men after all, by men’s men (or so I heard tell).

And what a book it is! First, the presentation: the whole thing is full-color. I don’t have much of a background in publishing (any background, really), but I know a bit of printing costs and this was no small endeavor. It’s beautiful. It’s appealing. And, from what I gather, it looks like…a playbook. (I’m a sucker for cleverness.)

Though I subscribe to the belief that content is king, I also have a background in marketing and can attest to the fact that presentation makes all the difference. This book wasn’t designed for women (though I enjoyed it) and it wasn’t written for women either (though I found plenty in it that was relevant and useful to my life).

On the content side, it’s written clearly and without any fluff. There are lots of pictures, which isn’t to say anything other than that it’s sort of fun to read in a way that you just don’t expect a book about virtues to be. As I understand it, there’s also a study that goes along with it (a neighboring parish is hosting one, in fact, and I’ve included an announcement in our upcoming parish bulletin).

The main man in my life is a strong silent type. He doesn’t go to Bible studies or socialize much outside of his workplace. That’s just how he is and how his time is structured. In Crossing the Goal, we have a book that presents faith — and, specifically, the virtues — as something more than theory and as something beyond the realm of just women’s work. I like the straightforward writing, the examples, and the consistent theme (what’s not to love about football?). I hope my husband enjoys it as well.