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15th out of 762 books
—
608 voters
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to" be" the Beauty of the story. And yet―how many women do you know who ever find that life?
Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, striving to be...more
Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, striving to be...more
Hardcover, 243 pages
Published
April 7th 2005
by Nelson Books
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As requested, I've decided to review the "book" Captivating, by husband and wife team, John and Staci Elderidge. Just how much of this book actually comes from Staci, and how much she was forced to write by her chauvinist husband is unclear. But she's credited on the book jacket. I guess that's worth something.
Well, where to begin? How about with the book's premise: we women, like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, are waiting for a man to rescue us from our sad-sack, self-esteemless lives. How does...more
Well, where to begin? How about with the book's premise: we women, like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, are waiting for a man to rescue us from our sad-sack, self-esteemless lives. How does...more
I avoided reading this book for over two years now because I always thought it was going to be a fluffy girly book. But it surprised me.
I really enjoyed reading it. When someone makes fun of this book, he/she are almost always referring to the part where Staci Elderidge talks about the three things that women desire--I can't even remember them all but...everyone makes this book sound fluffy. But really, the heart of this book is talking about why we have such extreme women...we have "rollercoast...more
I really enjoyed reading it. When someone makes fun of this book, he/she are almost always referring to the part where Staci Elderidge talks about the three things that women desire--I can't even remember them all but...everyone makes this book sound fluffy. But really, the heart of this book is talking about why we have such extreme women...we have "rollercoast...more
This book has a fatal flaw: it depends on fluff and emotionalism, not Scripture, to draw conclusions. You may notice that the lion's share of passages from this book are not from an actual translation of the Bible... they are from a book by a man named Robert Alter wrote ABOUT the book of Genesis.
I am wary of any book that tells me who I am in Christ, but doesn't think the words of Christ are good enough to communicate that.
Secondly, and this is probably the consequence of the dearth of Biblic...more
I am wary of any book that tells me who I am in Christ, but doesn't think the words of Christ are good enough to communicate that.
Secondly, and this is probably the consequence of the dearth of Biblic...more
I have continued to read this book, against my better judgment, and I have become increasingly uncomfortable with it. Not only does it heighten your emotions in order to incite a reaction, it has taken scripture reserved for Israel and applied it to me. That is ludicrous. Also, as an editing side note, when referring to any member of the Trinity in second or third person, it should be CAPITALIZED!! Oh and the audacity to ask God to show me how He loves me, come on! The question should be how hav...more
This book was given to me by my mom, after she had read it. It took me a while to get into the right mindset to have the patience to read it; however, when I did what a jewel I found - not only in the book, but in myself as well. The book is filled with metaphors and analogies that at first I found it hard to identify with because I was, as the book refers to, a woman striving and busying myself with all the worldly mundane tasks of life. I didn't "have time" for this flowery mumbo-jumbo! A woma...more
I'm no woman, and so I have to take all of the "you" statements in the book as "women" statements. But still, I think this book is insightful, and it helps to provide some biblical justification for many of the misunderstood characteristics, needs, and longings of many women. If you're a man, read it only if you have a woman you can talk to about it. Ask her questions. Tell her what confuses you. Tell her what makes sense. She'll enjoy it, especially if she's your "special lady."
This book, so fa...more
This book, so fa...more
I'm just not connecting with this book. It comes off smug in my opinion, completely lacking the humility and honor I would expect in a book written for women who love the Lord. I've been tempted to put it down several times, but I'm trying to continue to read it with an "open mind".
Ok, 2 weeks later, I'm done trying now. I just can't read any more of it, the more I read the more irritated I get. There are too many good books out there to be wasting my time on this one. I got almost 1/2 way throu...more
Ok, 2 weeks later, I'm done trying now. I just can't read any more of it, the more I read the more irritated I get. There are too many good books out there to be wasting my time on this one. I got almost 1/2 way throu...more
One of my friends recommended this book to me. It's a faith-based book. I was weary, but luckily it turned out to be Christian without being "here are the 12 rules to follow to be a good service provider to men." Let's just say it made me rethink my whole "cold bitch" lifestyle. I would recommend it to some of the women studio execs I've known.
READ WITH SCRUTINY AND DISCERNMENT, but know you can take good things.
Interesting. Loaded with cultural outlooks.
Talking with others I've decided I liked it because I could relate with it, but I don't think a girl who grew up in a different place could relate to it.
Interesting. Loaded with cultural outlooks.
Talking with others I've decided I liked it because I could relate with it, but I don't think a girl who grew up in a different place could relate to it.
I think I was expecting something a little different from this book when I picked it up, than what I actually received in reading it. Overall, I guess I'd have to say it was a disappointment -- but one with some glimmers of good stuff that touched my heart.
The book began with a look at womanhood through exploring Eve and various female archetypes through history and literature. Funny thing is, I couldn't really get into it at first. It was a discipline to push myself through the first couple of...more
The book began with a look at womanhood through exploring Eve and various female archetypes through history and literature. Funny thing is, I couldn't really get into it at first. It was a discipline to push myself through the first couple of...more
The best thing this book did for me was to remind me of how great my childhood was and to give me a glimpse into the lives of women who didn't have the same kind of childhood as I did. There is one chapter that starts out talking about a little girl's dream birthday (the girl was even named Carrie). It pretty much described how I aways felt on my birthday as a little girl - at that point, I realized that this book was maybe not directed at me. I often felt like I already have what the author and...more
Aug 15, 2008
Andrew Neveils
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Men and Women
Recommended to Andrew by:
Whitney
Now, I give this a 3-star rating because I do not have the option of a 3.5, and it is not quite worthy of a 4-star rating. It is a great book - or course, for women. Having already read "Wild At Heart" and impacted by it, I decided to read "Captivating" while my girlfriend read "Wild At Heart". We wanted to better understand one another, and one another's gender more.
"Captivating" is a copy-and-pasted version of "Wild At Heart". They quote the majority of the same movies (mostly men's movies, at...more
"Captivating" is a copy-and-pasted version of "Wild At Heart". They quote the majority of the same movies (mostly men's movies, at...more
I'm not a big fan of "self-help" books like this, but a good friend said she kept thinking of me as she read it, so I picked it up. I read the first two chapters last night and it has a lot of good things to say!
After finishing, I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I've ever read about being a woman and how women were created and understanding the soul of women. I'm blown away. I think every woman needs to read this book (18 is a good point, or 16 for those who are mature enough...more
After finishing, I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I've ever read about being a woman and how women were created and understanding the soul of women. I'm blown away. I think every woman needs to read this book (18 is a good point, or 16 for those who are mature enough...more
So, I just read this today and at first, I liked it. The author seemed to embrace the ideas of women as a companion, as beautiful etc. It seemed to embrace femininity in a way that was refreshing and lively - basically, she didn't seem stodgy and repressive.
But really... although there were random quotes i liked etc, she bases her "truths" on movie quotes, movie examples, scripture taken out of context, and .. a lot of personal experience...
i mean, i wanted to like it. I feel like, someone shou...more
But really... although there were random quotes i liked etc, she bases her "truths" on movie quotes, movie examples, scripture taken out of context, and .. a lot of personal experience...
i mean, i wanted to like it. I feel like, someone shou...more
Jenn read this book and loved it, then BJ read it and loved it. Doug read two books by John Eldredge and highly recommended them.
It’s about being the woman God created us to be. We were created in His image – beautiful but we are taught to hide that beauty. We read about the Proverbs 31 woman and feel that it is biblical proof that we don’t measure up. We want to be someone’s priority. We wanted to be a part of something important before life killed the desire. We won’t risk rejection so we hide...more
It’s about being the woman God created us to be. We were created in His image – beautiful but we are taught to hide that beauty. We read about the Proverbs 31 woman and feel that it is biblical proof that we don’t measure up. We want to be someone’s priority. We wanted to be a part of something important before life killed the desire. We won’t risk rejection so we hide...more
This book restores my soul. As a woman it is too easy to become trapped & enamored by what this world deems "beautiful" & "worthy." I, too, have followed the empty train headed towards a wasteland of so called redemption--in hot pursuit of the shoes i simply MUST have--the makeup that promises to transform me--the sparkly adornments designed to make me stand out & shine! A refreshing reminder that there is more to a woman than meets the eye & our beauty has everything to do with...more
Dec 12, 2008
Margaret
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Every female :)
Shelves:
finishedreading
This book is absolutely amazing! One of my guy friends didn't like it so much--maybe too soft--however you can interpret that word...but I think it's great! It talks about a woman's journey in this world- but in a greater, purposeful perspective. It has elements of romance, adventure, childhood, and more. :) This is a look at how God made women unique and wonderful-in His own image (not that He's a girl). Our beauty reflects the glory of God. Our life is a tale of how the enemy tries to destroy...more
May 08, 2008
Nicole
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Women and the men who love them
Recommended to Nicole by:
Kelli
I was recommended this book by my twin sister. I wasnt exactly excited about reading it. However, once I started I couldn't put it down. Captivating isn't a self-help book, or a sermon; far from either. Instead, Captivating is a book about discovery. It sheds light into the areas of a woman's heart most people would dare not even look and gives the reader permission to heal wounds that one didn't even know were there. This book changed my life forever. All it took was the first page and I was ho...more
I find that my experience with a book is largely about timing. One week, I might find it so annoying that I can't physically look at it again. Another week, it might make me cry on every other page because it hits me right where I am. This fall, this book was in the Cry category. I normally HATE things geared toward women, because I don't relate to them and I end up wondering if I'm some spiritually neuter freak. Not this book. While reading it, I learned that most of the desires that I've hidde...more
When i went into this book I was a little apprehensive. I wasn’t sure what to expect though I had heard many wonderful things about it. It was written by Staci Eldredge with a little input by her husband. For those who have heard of or read “Wild at Heart”, this is the female version. The main theme of the whole book is our identity in Christ and who we are as women. She talks about how special and unique each of us are in God’s eyes. Getting right to the heart of the matter, it pulls you in by...more
This book is a grotesque misinterpretation of femininity. It reinforces paradigms ages old that a woman’s place is upon a pedestal, and that beauty – whether in her canoeing skills or her ball gown – is her essence. It negates the need to dabble on the hearts of wild, wilful, untameable women, simply decreeing that if you’re of that ilk, you’re broken, desolate and lost.
Seduction, within a “Christian” sense, plagues this book; Women are to be pretty and needy and petty in the making to make them...more
Seduction, within a “Christian” sense, plagues this book; Women are to be pretty and needy and petty in the making to make them...more
I was not a fan of this book. Eldredge took her individual experience, expanded it to encompass every woman's experience, and then infused it with some piety. I set it down after she waned theological (badly) on why women shouldn't do sports (REAL women desire to be at rest!), then later complained about her weight. It came across as petty in a pious disguise: the Christian edition of rude accusations that fit women are not truly feminine.
In all, the book relied exclusively on post-19th century...more
In all, the book relied exclusively on post-19th century...more
Mar 06, 2013
Johanna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Christian women
Recommended to Johanna by:
Mrs. Hinkel
Amazing book. It has new perspectives of femininity, and every Christian woman should read this book.
Some of the best points made throughout the book:
God wanted to reveal something of Himself in Eve that He did not reveal in Adam. ("It is not good")
Satan has a special hatred for Eve because she reflects God's Beauty and is life-giver. (There is more than just society and patriarchy responsible for the way women have been treated historically and the way women are attacked in culture today.)
God t...more
Some of the best points made throughout the book:
God wanted to reveal something of Himself in Eve that He did not reveal in Adam. ("It is not good")
Satan has a special hatred for Eve because she reflects God's Beauty and is life-giver. (There is more than just society and patriarchy responsible for the way women have been treated historically and the way women are attacked in culture today.)
God t...more
A Gone Bookserk Perspective
This book was recommended to me by a friend. I would have never picked it up otherwise. I would have never really come across it if it weren't for it being recommended to me since I don't venture into Christian nonfiction too much. With that being said, aside from a few reservations, this book was actually really pleasant and beautiful in many of its parts.
I think you have to be a practicing Christian to really appreciate this book, more than I did anyway. I am a Chr...more
This book was recommended to me by a friend. I would have never picked it up otherwise. I would have never really come across it if it weren't for it being recommended to me since I don't venture into Christian nonfiction too much. With that being said, aside from a few reservations, this book was actually really pleasant and beautiful in many of its parts.
I think you have to be a practicing Christian to really appreciate this book, more than I did anyway. I am a Chr...more
Very beautifully written book to help women connect with others and to God. It takes the women back to the heart and soul of the female purpose. It is NOT a self help book, rather a kind reminder of whys, who's and how's.
The author references female characters from the bible and relates back to present time to remind the reader that life goals and purposes have not changed to God. It helps to remind me that God is a constant God.
One thing that stood out to me was the author's take on women's bea...more
The author references female characters from the bible and relates back to present time to remind the reader that life goals and purposes have not changed to God. It helps to remind me that God is a constant God.
One thing that stood out to me was the author's take on women's bea...more
Dear Whomever May Be Concerned,
Today I started my girlfriend's favorite book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. There are three things that I have learned in the past two hours of reading and thinking. #1 Emily is an amazing girl and I'm pretty much the luckiest guy on Earth to have her. #2 Guys suck at understanding girls. Being one of those guys who thought he understood girls in high school (arrogance is quite embarrassing) I just would like to say to every guy out there. "WE SUCK AT UND...more
Today I started my girlfriend's favorite book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. There are three things that I have learned in the past two hours of reading and thinking. #1 Emily is an amazing girl and I'm pretty much the luckiest guy on Earth to have her. #2 Guys suck at understanding girls. Being one of those guys who thought he understood girls in high school (arrogance is quite embarrassing) I just would like to say to every guy out there. "WE SUCK AT UND...more
For every woman who is tired of being led to believe she is inadequate in some way; for anyone who suspects that he or she has “missed the richness femininity was meant to bring to our lives, missed the way it speaks to us of the heart of God.” While some reviewers complain that this book presumes too much by saying “all” women have certain traits, the Eldredges actually balance “…there is an essence that God has given to every woman” with reminders that “…femininity cannot be prescribed in a fo...more
I read this because I received it as a gift. I have mixed feelings about it. I'm not sure if the way I recoiled at the words beauty/beautiful and feminine/femininity sprinkled so liberally through this book is more a reflection of my own issues or an inherent problem with the book. I appreciate that the author kept stressing that a woman's beauty is more an inner thing than a surface display but I still got kind of sick of hearing about it.
Also, I take issue with so many of the examples of how a...more
Also, I take issue with so many of the examples of how a...more
As a Christian this is a confessional moment: As I was reading the beginning of the second 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, still concerned about why our culture was so taken by "mommy-porn" I remembered hearing John Eldredge interviewed when Captivating first came out. Reading Captivating answered my every question about why women love the 50 Shades books . Eldredge explains how women need to be seen, sought, perceived as lovely, and to be found basically captivating . Eldredge explains how only God...more
The best selling authors, John and Stasi Eldridge, write of the beautiful masterpiece God created in women with Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul. I loved the book, but it may be due in part for the same reason I love food cooked with organic and fresh ingredients - the book itself became captivating because of the allure of it’s subject. There is a lot of honesty in these pages, and it is presented in a graceful eloquent way but still retains the raw emotion – much like the t...more
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John Eldredge is an author (you probably figured that out), a counselor, and teacher. He is also president of Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own heart in his love, and learn to live in his Kingdom. John grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles (which he hated), and spent his boyhood summers on his grandfather’s cattle ranch in eastern Ore...more
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“There is an emotional promiscuity we’ve noticed among many good young men and women. The young man understands something of the journey of the heart. He wants to talk, to “share the journey.” The woman is grateful to be pursued, she opens up. They share the intimacies of their lives - their wounds, their walks with God. But he never commits. He enjoys her... then leaves. And she wonders, What did I do wrong? She failed to see his passivity. He really did not ever commit or offer assurances that he would. Like Willoughby to Marianne in Sense and Sensibility.
Be careful you do not offer too much of yourself to a man until you have good, solid evidence that he is a strong man willing to commit. Look at his track record with other women. Is there anything to be concerned about there? If so, bring it up. Also, does he have any close male friends - and what are they like as men? Can he hold down a job? Is he walking with God in a real and intimate way? Is he facing the wounds of his own life, and is he also demonstrating a desire to repent of Adam’s passivity and/or violence? Is he headed somewhere with his life? A lot of questions, but your heart is a treasure, and we want you to offer it only to a man who is worthy and ready to handle it well.”
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102 people liked it
Be careful you do not offer too much of yourself to a man until you have good, solid evidence that he is a strong man willing to commit. Look at his track record with other women. Is there anything to be concerned about there? If so, bring it up. Also, does he have any close male friends - and what are they like as men? Can he hold down a job? Is he walking with God in a real and intimate way? Is he facing the wounds of his own life, and is he also demonstrating a desire to repent of Adam’s passivity and/or violence? Is he headed somewhere with his life? A lot of questions, but your heart is a treasure, and we want you to offer it only to a man who is worthy and ready to handle it well.”
“You see, women have been essential to every great move of God. Yes, Moses led the Isaelites out of Egypt, but only after his mother risked her life to save him! Closer to our time, Clara Barton was instrumental in starting the Red Cross. Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin put fire into people's heart to end slavery in the United States. Rosa Parks kicked the Civil Rights movement into gear with her quiet act of courage. Eunice Kennedy Shriver created the Special Olympics. Mother Teresa inspired the world by bringing love to countless thought unlovable. And millions of other women quietly change the world every day by bringing the love of God to those around them.”
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84 people liked it
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