The Dangerous Book for Boys is a popular guidebook written by brothers Conn and Hal Iggulden, first published in 2006 by HarperCollins. Aimed at boys "from eight to eighty," it features around 80 practical topics like building treehouses, making go-carts, tying knots, fishing, and creating secret inks, alongside stories of historical battles, famous quotes, and adventure tales.

Key Topics

The book promotes hands-on activities to counter screen time, including instructions for paper airplanes, bows and arrows, slingshots, and basic survival skills like using a compass or building chemical batteries. It also covers games such as poker, stickball, and rugby rules, plus lighthearted sections on dinosaurs, astronomy, and "what girls are for." A liability warning notes potential injury risks from these "dangerous" pursuits.

Reception and Impact

It topped UK non-fiction charts, sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide, and inspired spin-offs like The Double Dangerous Book for Boys. Critics praised its revival of outdoor play but noted concerns over gender stereotypes and safety. An Amazon Prime TV series adaptation by Bryan Cranston aired in 2018, centering on brothers using the book after their father's death.