Discover the ultimate selection of coffee table books for men, featuring visually stunning and conversation-starting topics he loves, from sports to cocktails, refined style, and more.
This eclectic collection includes all of my husband’s own personal favorites, as well as something for every type of man, whether he’s a musician, Star Wars buff, or another type of man, this selection is bound to please him.
I’m the kind of person who loves to use books as decor in every room, and coffee table books work especially well in most rooms because they offer some insight into who you are as a person and function in some ways like art. They are also something your guests won’t be afraid to pick up and leaf through.
Over the years, I have selected some as gifts for my husband based on his interests, and he has also picked up some himself. We store them all in his “man cave.” In this post, first I share the exact books my husband deems to be the best coffee table books for guys, including books about cars, cocktails, James Bond, and watches.
Then, I share more of the best coffee table books for men that I’ve encountered in my research and in visiting bookstores on a wider range of topics: baseball, basketball, golf, music, sneakers, Legos, travel, and more.
This way, no matter what type of man you’re shopping for, you will find something captivating here.
Tip: If you’re shopping as a gift, I recommend gifting a themed coffee table book with a lifestyle item. For example, one year, I bought my husband a book about James Bond’s cocktails and gifted him a decanter and a bottle of whiskey with it. It’s a fun and memorable way to gift and to read!
Best Coffee Table Books for Men
Beach Rides: Time Machines for Modern Day Escapists by by John Annetti and Whitney Hubbell
We visit Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket every Summer, where my husband just loves to oogle at all the old Beach Rides as we walk around town (and rent new ones!). He spotted this book in a bookstore there, and I found him immersed in it. It came home with us.
Through captivating images, it highlights 21 vintage cars on these close-knit islands and their real life stories, from Wagoneers to Broncos, Defenders, and more, dating all the way back to the 1950s.
F1 Mavericks: The Men and Machines that Revolutionized Formula 1 Racing by Pete Biro and George Levy
My husband has been a huge Formula 1 fan for as long as I’ve known him and, when we moved into our current home in 2021, he became the proud owner of a “man cave,” which he decided to decorate in a vintage Grand Prix theme. He selected F1 Mavericks to display on his bookshelves.
This book captures the most influential era in Formula 1 racing (1960-1982) through the lens of renowned motorsports photographer Pete Biro and the words of award-winning author George Levy. It highlights technological advancements during this period and features the legendary drivers, designers, and engineers who shaped modern F1 cars.
It also offers photographs of key races, making it a compelling read for racing enthusiasts.
Ferrari Formula 1 Car by Car: Every Race Car Since 1950 by Stuart Codling
This is another Formula 1 coffee table book my husband selected for his man cave.
Ferrari Formula 1 Car by Car is a comprehensive examination of every Ferrari F1 car from 1950 to the present. As you would expect, it’s filled with stunning imagery and technical details about each car’s design, features, specifications, racing record, and more. It celebrates both Ferarri’s iconic racers and their legendary drivers.
James Bond Cars by Frederic Brun
My husband is obsessed with all things James Bond, and as you can tell, he also loves cars, so it was a no-brainer that I selected James Bond Cars for him one Christmas. It got gave reviews from him and kept him busy all day!
It explores all the memorable cars featured in James Bond films through nearly 200 pages of photographs and information on the iconic vehicles, including the famous Aston Martin DB series.
Want even more? There are also sections on airplanes, motorcycles, and helicopters.
A Man & His Car: Iconic Cars and Stories from the Men Who Love Them by Matt Hranek
I was thrilled to come across A Man and His Car for my husband one Christmas, as it makes the perfect gift with a storage box. Indeed, he said this and the following book were his favorite gifts of the year.
The winner of several “best coffee table book” awards, it’s an exploration, through stories and photographs, of celebrities and their beloved cars, including Shaquille O’Neal and his love for trucks, Jay Leno’s 1955 Buick Roadmaster, and over 80 more.
A Man & His Watch: Iconic Watches and Stories from the Men Who Wore Them by Matt Hranek
My husband is also a watch afficianado, enthusiast, and collector, so A Man and His Watch was the perfect complimentary Christmas gift to the book above. As mentioned, he deemed them his favorite gifts that Christmas.
A Man and His Watch delves into nearly 80 real-life stories behind the world’s most coveted watches, featuring watches worn by icons like Paul Newman and JFK at significant moments in their lives. It’s a compelling collection, enhanced by stunning original photography.
The Negroni: A Love Affair with a Classic Cocktail by Matt Hranek
The Negroni is one of my husband’s favorite cocktails (we call him “Negroni Tony”), so I was thrilled to find this book to gift him with a Negroni ornament one Christmas. The illustrations in it are so eye-catching. It’s a great addition to the bar in his “man cave.”
Accompanying the illustrations is an expertly curated collection of recipes, variations, and reinterpretations of the bittersweet drink.
The Old-Fashioned: The Story of the World’s First Classic Cocktail, with Recipes and Lore by Robert Simonson
The Old-Fashioned is the cocktail my husband drinks most often (his go-to), so this book was a no-brainer gift idea for his bar.
It delves into the longstanding history and appeal of this classic cocktail, tracing its origins and evolutionover time. It’s a beautifully illustrated book with over 40 recipes, including classic variations, regional twists, and contemporary updates he’ll love to try.
Ralph Lauren: In His Own Fashion by Alan Flusser
Ralph Lauren: In His Own Fashion is actually a book I purchased for myself before it made it’s way into my husband’s “man cave.” I’m completely fascinated by this style icon, but considering his love of cars and the fact that we chose a Ralph Lauren-inspired color scheme for my husband’s “man cave,” it seemed to have a better home there.
I read it cover to cover myself, and I would describe it as an illustrated biography that gives the reader a firsthand look at both the life and career of an iconic American designer, with oodles of inspiration along the way.
Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack
Wine Folly is another one of my books that made it’s way to it’s home in my husband’s bar. I have all the Wine Folly books but this particular one is a James Beard Award winner that’s especially stunning and approachable, with lots of “easy-to-digest” charts and illustrations that make learning wine both easy and fun. Trust me, it’s one book every wine owner should own.
It’s an expanded wine guide covering over 100 grapes and wines. It explores wine regions, explains wine labeling and classification, and offers helpful tips for food and wine pairing.
More Coffee Table Books for Men
If those coffee table books aren’t exactly right for you or the man in your life, here are even more of the best coffee table books for men of various types:
Conclusion
As you can see, these books are so much more than just decorative pieces for your living space — they spark conversation, inspiration, and education all at the same time. This curated selection of the best coffee table books for men are all visually stunning and informative books that make perfect gifts for yourself or the man in your life. Just pick the one that suits him best, and showcase his refined taste and intellectual curiosity for years to come.
