Over years in America and west generally, nature and means of education have dramatically changed. But it is an error to think that before contemporary era of schooling on a mass scale that no one was deeply or broadly educated. Many in colonial America were exceptionally well-educated, yet largely self-taught or taught by a tutor or mentor. Such was case with scientist, lawyer, theologian, statesman, patriot and father of seven, Roger Sherman.

In his astonishingly productive life as one of leading citizens of colonial America, Sherman studied privately with Rev. Samuel Danbar, worked as a shoemaker and then as a land surveyor and an author of an almanac filled with astronomical calculations. He read for bar (as was custom of his day) and became a lawyer, though he did not earn a college degree. He also read deeply in theology and received an honorary degree from Yale, where he became treasurer. He was even a professor of religion for many years.

Sherman was widely respected and known in Connecticut, as a list of legislative, judicial and executive positions to which he was elected demonstrates: both houses of Connecticut legislature, justice of peace, judge of Superior Court of Connecticut, member of Continental Congress, delegate to Constitutional Convention, Mayor of New Haven, member of United States House of Representatives and United States Senate.

Sherman is only member of Continental Congress who signed Articles of Association of 1774, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and United States Constitution. He died at age of 71 and was buried near his beloved Yale. Not bad for a man who was not a college graduate.

But before you read any further, let me be clear about something. This article and things I will discuss below are not for every man.

If you are looking for latest fad in feminizing pop psychology, then this article is not for you.

If you think you need to find your “inner child” rather than learn how to be a real man then this article is not for you.

But if you want to escape modern movement to make men and boys ever more effeminate, then ideas in this article might be for you.

If you never – ever! – want to hear a grown man talking about “finding himself” again, then what follows might be for you.

If you crave deeper lessons of true masculinity – of vision, self-sacrifice, courage and leadership then read on. What follows is definitely for you.

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My name is Mark Cole. Every day I strive to be a better man and a better father. I aspire to fear no man – but only God. I try to live boldly, energetically, fearlessly, courageously, creatively.

I often fail; but I do not give up. And when I am successful, it is because I am applying one of principles which I have learned from my ongoing, intensive study of lives of Great Men – men like Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Davy Crockett, Douglas MacArthur, George S. Patton and many, many others.

A few years ago, I was in a slump and needed an injection of vision and motivation into my successful – by ordinary standards – but repetitive, conformist and uninspiring life.

As I groped about trying to find something contemporary to read (yes, I am embarrassed to say that I have dabbled in self-help literature), it occurred to me: Why reinvent wheel? Why not go with tried and true? Why waste time with system of a success guru – especially one who promotes feminine side of man (my quest began, after all, in 1990’s)?

Fortunately, I knew enough about lives of Great Men to know that I wanted my life to look more like theirs. The only way to do that is to study them.

So I began and I have never looked back. Since my quest for guidance from Great Men of history began, I have made dramatic improvements in my life. If I were a betting man, I would wager that you need to do same.

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From Winston Churchill, I have learned about perseverance, importance of powerful communication and about standing for principle.

From Theodore Roosevelt, I have learned about importance of pushing my body – but pushing my mind even harder.

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon – greatest preacher of 19th century – I have learned about what a real day’s hard work looks like. After meeting Spurgeon, I will never complain about being tired again!

From Davy Crockett, I have learned about importance of real education, but I now understand that most true education doesn’t take place in schools.