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Dec 16, 2009

Jane rated it:

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- More...

16 comments like (19 people liked it)

Jul 08, 2008

Elisa rated it:

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 th More...

4 comments like (13 people liked it)

Dec 16, 2009

Candace rated it:

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...

14 comments like (7 people liked it)

Sep 04, 2007

Lynn rated it:

Beauty is important. According to the authors of this book, it's one of the most important things there is.

They're not talking about superficial, Paris Hilton-type looks, but women who are "gloriously alive," even in their senior years. They say every woman, whether she wants to admit it or not, secretly really wants to be found beautiful in that way, and then they discuss reasons why most women are cut off from it.

The book is written from a very evangelical C More...

1 comment like (7 people liked it)

Jan 26, 2008

Cheryl rated it:

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-jum More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2009

Katie rated it:

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 ha More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Aug 19, 2008

Natalie rated it:

from: http://blog.ylcf.org/2006/09/not-so-capt...

Also see: http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/art...

Last year I wrote one of the first reviews (that I could find) on John and Staci Eldredge's Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul. The piece is not particularly well-written or profound, but it expressed my deep concerns with the book in a way my limited understanding and time allowed.

The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood published a piec More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2009

Lucas rated it:

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 "speci More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 11, 2008

Danielle rated it:

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. More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2009

Sona rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Oct 06, 2007

Lauren rated it:

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.

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 04, 2008

Mikejencostanzo rated 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 f More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Aug 02, 2008

Wildoaksfarm rated it:

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 More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Aug 15, 2008

Andrew rated it:

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". T More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 05, 2008

Sara Diane rated it:

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 More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 08, 2007

jun rated it:

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. More...

3 comments like (3 people liked it)

Nov 04, 2007

Kathaileen rated it:

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 More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 12, 2008

Margaret rated it:

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...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

May 08, 2008

Nicole rated it:

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...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 27, 2009

Laughholly rated it:

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 hidd More...

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Jan 27, 2012

Mara rated it:

This book combines psychology, sociology, and theology, while excluding pretty much all scholarship. Not a good combo. (A bit similar to its companion book). I admit, it is really fun to create and define stereotypes, but the fun is for the person who is doing the creating, not for the person who is jammed into a stereotype that does not fit. It makes me want to apologize for every stereotype I have created.

I am an egalitarian and very wary of using tradition in lieu of scripture, s More...

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Oct 29, 2011

Shell rated it:

Have I ever read a book that "captivated" my heart as utterly as this book did? I read it nearly a year ago, and it helped me understand myself so much better. I still think about things it talked about everyday. I recommend this book to all my friends; I think it's a book every woman in the world needs to read!

I've read through some of the reviews and seen what people think are the flaws, and I understand. But you've got to understand that the heart of this book is to conn More...

0 comments like

Sep 19, 2011

Kate rated it:

"Captivating," is an inspiring, relevant, and thought-provoking novel. Stasi Eldredge uses personal testimony and the experiences of others to illustrate her points. It’s not like one of those self-improvement books where they give you the steps to becoming a stronger woman or finding the goddess within. It’s far more intelligent and substantial than that. It’s about real women, real experiences, and real issues that women struggle with. Not only does Eldredge offer solutions More...

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Aug 16, 2011

Danielle rated it:

I found this book in a consignment shop over a year ago, I read it and although it did have some impact on me, I didn't "get it". Then this summer, I found myself jobless, out of school, and in a new relationship with someone I really loved and want to spend the rest of my life with. I found myself facing all sorts of challenges with my identity which I had previously based on what I DID instead of who I WAS. I knew this was going to cause issues in my relationship as it had before and More...

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Jul 26, 2011

Rachel rated it:

*Note: This book really has a 4.5 star rating!!!

Although there are some sections of the book that are not applicable to me, overall, this is still a good read. Some of my favorite chapters are "Romanced," "Beauty to Unveil," and "Arousing Adam" because they provide insight into the heart of God and the hearts of men and women. The only "beef" I have with this book is that there are some sections of the book that are a bit overdone. By this, I me More...

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Jul 11, 2011

Rachel rated it:

I purchased this book thinking it was going to be informative and interesting. To say that it wasn't either of those things would be a lie. However, it was only those things to a degree. I didn't even finish the book because I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. I also felt as if the authors were "babying" the readers to an extent. I lost interest very quickly. By no means did I hate Captivating, but if you're looking for a solid Christian based book that More...

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May 24, 2011

Iskreads rated it:

Captivating: Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman's Soul
By John & Stasi Eldredge

Captivating was truly, well a captivating novel. It brought the reader in and explained to them how special and important women are through a "normal" view, and Christ's view. The two authors of this novel, are christian and use many Godly and biblical explanations and examples on how a woman is truly just as important as the man, and how astonishing we are. Although many christian Godly and More...

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Mar 03, 2011

Amy rated it:

TERRIBLE!! The title names alone should've clued me in, but this book was so highly recommended that I ignored them. "Arousing Adam" is especially distasteful as far as chapter titles go. I've never felt more unfeminine in my life. I alternated between being near tears at falling so short of expectations and laughter that people still think women want a knight in shining armor. I don't really desire any of the three things "every woman wants." Somehow, this made me feel More...

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Jul 11, 2010

Crystal Starr Light rated it:

When I was a little girl (okay, not that little, but younger than I am now), I would imagine myself being a lawyer or a Jedi. I would save the world from criminals, uphold the ways of the Force, and travel the world (or the universe on my own starship). Eventually, the hero of my dreams (either detective or Luke Skywalker) would tell me how beautiful I was and marry me. Together, we would live happily ever after. Fast forward over a dozen years and the story is much different. Today, I have a le More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 26, 2010

Nancy rated it:

This book written by a Christian couple is based on the premise that a woman longs for three things; to be romanced, an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and beauty to unveil. Although, in summary, it sounds quite cheesy, Stasi and John guide the reader on a journey through scripture, literature, and real experiences that tend to lack empirical and statistical evidence yet resonates within the recesses of the mind.

That God created man, both male and female, in his own image is More...

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