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27th out of 558 books
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Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
God designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires-aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avo...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
April 3rd 2001
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
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I have a handful of friends who are strong believers in the message delivered in this book by John Eldredge. I think most of us here know the type by now. They are the kind that gets overly enthralled by an idea and take it too far without realizing what they've done. They're usually college-aged guys who are just discovering who they are and where they are going. They might try to grow a scraggly beard and start wearing flannel shirts and clunky hiking boots; they might spend their whole su...more
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Eldredge took Robert Bly's splendid, groundbreaking, ennobling book Iron John: A Book About Men as his inspired point of departure & produced, in Wild at Heart, a Christian treatise on masculinity that is, ultimately, as dangerous & misguided a book as I've ever read. Where Bly understands the need to prevent the masculine longing for wildness (a longing that is vital, life-giving, necessary) from proliferating as aggression, Eldredge subscribes to the view that wildness & aggression are (& must...more
This book really helped me to understand who I am as a man in terms of creation. Why do I like to drive motorcycles, why do I love to travel the world where the average person dare not tread. Why at the gym I have the need to lift more weight and drive my heart that much harder? It's because that is how God made me. God has a wild and dangerous aspect to His personality. We can see it in creation itself and it's reflected in every man.
from ChristianBook.com:
Helping men rediscov...more
from ChristianBook.com:
Helping men rediscov...more
I know that this book is surrounded by vehement controversy. After my husband read it, it was as though he came alive for the first time. Curious, I picked up the book myself. Though there are sections that I would drastically edit (and so would my husband), I found the heart of Eldredge's message incredibly moving, necessary, and paradigm-altering. I was truly astonished that this "man's man" would have such a perfect grasp of women and their needs and desires. I have consulted with o...more
A familiar title to many, wild at Heart is a popular book amongst male Christians. After hearing mixed views, I set myself the task of reading the book myself. This book explores the make up of the masculine heart, which appeals to me and I?m sure, to many other female readers out there.
One thing that is clearly highlighted throughout this book is this: you can take the guy out of the country, but you can?t take the country out of the guy. Let me explain.
The writer sugges...more
One thing that is clearly highlighted throughout this book is this: you can take the guy out of the country, but you can?t take the country out of the guy. Let me explain.
The writer sugges...more
I can honestly say that I find this book trite, over-espoused, and drastically overadored by a great many men and women that I generally like and enjoy spending time with. This doesn't make them dumb, bad, or idiots. It just makes them different than me. This doesn't make me smarter, good, or a non-idiot. It just makes me not a person who fits comfortably into any of the suggested roles that John Eldridge tells us that men secretly long for.
I don't want and never wanted to be a knight,...more
I don't want and never wanted to be a knight,...more
What a sad excuse for a book's premise. I paged through this, after reading some of the ridiculous reviews, and came away as disgusted as I thought I would be. As soon as men stop attempting to ascribe to outdated theistic (and frankly trite) models of masculinity, the world will be a much safer, better place. I pity women who read this and think they may have come away with a greater understanding of men, as it's a false understanding of throwback, primitive males who have no place in a worl...more
Many of my male friends in college recommended this book to me, so i finally read it in the summer of '04, my first summer away from home. Those who recommended the book to me acted as though this book changed their life, so I might have gone into it with high expectations. I did not find it as "enlightening" as they did, though I did enjoy it. The author has some good insight into the mind's of Christian men, though I feel he over-dramatizes certain ideas in the book. I would reco...more
A great read for men to embrace biblical manhood and for women to realize just how wild men want/should be. WaH questions why our Christian society sets the standard of Biblical manhood with Mr. Rogers rather than William Wallace (Braveheart). WaH pushes the envelope for men to embrace the biblical role of being men on fire for God and living on the edge. Most women probably won't like this book (or for their man to read it), and even some men may think it is too radical. So, maybe it is time...more
I hate this book so much.
This book and "Waking the Dead" were powerful influencing factors in my 17 year-old psyche, but now I'm not so sure I agree with the general feel of his book. For me and many of my guy friends this book was important in letting us accept our manhood and face the deep questions and wounds of our masculinity. I like that it got us to the table to discuss and wrestle through a topic that is usually hidden. I don't believe that this book appeals to all guys like it did to us already advent...more
What I liked: 1. This book was an easy read. I like to alternate between something light and something challenging. 2. It is written from a Christian perspective. 3. If you are not completely a frozen popsicle inside, then the book tries to inspire you to be more fully alive - seeking out your dreams, the very nature of your existence - dare to explore, take risks, and find a true calling.
What I did not like: 1. The author repeatedly makes reference to fighting, like men are made to f...more
What I did not like: 1. The author repeatedly makes reference to fighting, like men are made to f...more
I have read this book before and I am re-reading it again now. It is a really good read. This is worth the time investment (over 300 pages) for any man. Eldredge explains why we are the way we are and he gives real, practical information on how to become a better man. This book is not psycho-babble, it is good, solid material. This book also works well in a study group session - I first read it in as part of a small group study.
[Added after a third read] I have lowered my ratin...more
[Added after a third read] I have lowered my ratin...more
This book gave me a different perspective of men and women. Although I've been single for awhile now, I already had in mind what kind of man I wanted in the future and made me think that I can always find someone better than the person in front of me. This book allowed me to focus what I wanted in a man in a way that was refreshing and much more focused on his natural abilities of being "wild at heart."
In the same way that men were created to be adventurous and seekers of challe...more
In the same way that men were created to be adventurous and seekers of challe...more
The book was a birthday gift from my daughter Alicia. I found it a bit repetitive and slow at the beginning. The end of the book is excellent. Men are created to be adventurous, face danger, take risks etc. God trains a man thru his experiences. Men should train their sons to be men. The "mid-life crisis" is symptomatic of the incomplete man. God wants men.
This is not a macho book. I think any woman would be delighted to have a husband that loves and cherishes her as Eldredge adv...more
This is not a macho book. I think any woman would be delighted to have a husband that loves and cherishes her as Eldredge adv...more
Okay, I would definitely have to agree that if you have a son, if you are married to a man, if you have a brother or a father, or if you have ever had a conversation with a man you should definitely read this book!
It really was just so enlightening to what makes a little boy a little boy and how those things don't really change when that boy grows up. But it's not in a Men are from Mars sort of way (or maybe it is, I actually haven't read that book!). Anyway, I am very glad that I read i...more
It really was just so enlightening to what makes a little boy a little boy and how those things don't really change when that boy grows up. But it's not in a Men are from Mars sort of way (or maybe it is, I actually haven't read that book!). Anyway, I am very glad that I read i...more
Men are awesome (the converted man that is). There heart is not perfect, but if they pursue honesty and are willing to be vulnerable that will be adorable to the people in there lives and especially to women of worth and honesty. The book is a religiously based book and thus inevitably ticked some people off, it did me(some of the theology is not correct) but I just take the good and politely dispose of the rest without any fanfare, it was worth the time and all the $12 dollars for the two cop...more
This was an awesome book. The book is intended for men, as they usually enjoy the outdoors more than women.... My friends know differently, atleast in my case! It really focuses on spirituality in a "man's" view. It involved nature and I learned something about men at the same time. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone, male or female. Although it is a Christian book, it really has lessons to be learned for all faiths. However, there are some portions that did not always ma...more
To live for an adventure, to rescue a beauty and to fight a battle. Sounds like a story...like a tale of dragons, ladies in distress and war for the homeland against the dreaded enemy...like all movies...great books...great tales...stories tell of woes, foes and overcoming great obstacles. These are all great truths, but are they any truer than your own life? But, does your life seem like you are just sliding through, getting by one-day-at-a-time? That's how most of us live, to survive for t...more
There are certainly parts that generalize the desires of men, which was really hard for me. But Eldredge addresses this concern, as well as others that you'll hear people mention with regards to Wild at Heart. Overall I loved it. I'm confident that it's a book of great modern importance - to a world that's really damaged the identities of man and woman.
Our God (the biblical one) has certainly demonstrated his beauty and deep compassion, but he is also wild and unpredictable - holy an...more
Our God (the biblical one) has certainly demonstrated his beauty and deep compassion, but he is also wild and unpredictable - holy an...more
John Eldridge has written a book on a subject that is getting further and further drowned out in modern society, and that being the masculine spirit. Society has pressured a large number of men to either (a) misinterpret masculinity in the form of being of violent, macho jerk, or (b) suppress it, taking the form of a nice guy who, when challenged by a situation, will not be equipped to take a stand.
I recently read in the news about a Scandinavian school that has forbidden use of the p...more
I recently read in the news about a Scandinavian school that has forbidden use of the p...more
Often times when reading Christian books I hit a spot where I have to "eat the meat and spit out the bones." There were a few of those moments in this book, but overall? Loved it.
I first heard of it from a former professor and the background story to why I wanted to read Wild at Heart is worth mentioning. I was helping paint the professor's house for some cash over the summer. In the middle of a hot August afternoon I attempted to kill silence by asking, at the peak of m...more
I first heard of it from a former professor and the background story to why I wanted to read Wild at Heart is worth mentioning. I was helping paint the professor's house for some cash over the summer. In the middle of a hot August afternoon I attempted to kill silence by asking, at the peak of m...more
I read this book because I wanted to know how my husband's heart really worked (he isn't good at telling me in a language I understand!) It was fueled by a deep desire to pray for the matters of his heart. After raising 4 boys I did understand about the warrior need,the need for activity and of course food, constant fuelling. what I didn't know is how their hearts get wounded and how to pray specifcally for their healing. this book was tremendously helpful in not only understanding my own h...more
I read this even before Captivating because I was told that looking at what I wanted in my future husband and reading this book would help me see and understand 'him' better. I like the concept of what Elderedge is trying to convey, but I think his passion to get his point across comes off lacking knowledge. Its very true that men love adventure and being 'wild' and untamable by women sounds great on paper, but I think that this book is completely lacking on what God says. Its full of half tr...more
First and foremost, what a great book! That might be obvious with the time this book has spent on the bestseller list, but it needs to be said, this is a great book. John Eldredge does a fantastic job of unpacking masculinity and what God calls men to be. Wild at Heart, subtitled Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul, does just that. John takes a look at what makes the masculine heart and soul come alive and then explores how we need to call that out in our journey to manhood.
He starts of...more
He starts of...more
This is a difficult review to write. Since I am not male, I don't feel like I can really say how true this book is or not. But there were several things that resonated with me. After reading both this and Captivating, I do think that together these books provide a good way to approach relationships. I have felt for a long time that society is doing a diservice to men. We start it young, little girls wearing t-shirts that say "Boys are dumb. Throw rocks at them." What does that t...more
To be honest, I was a little disappointed in this book although I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting. From the very beginning, Eldredge seems to be painting a caricature of what a true "man" is that comes hauntingly close to how Hollywood wants us to view men as - rugged, square-jawed, outdoorsy types that live to clock out at 5 and have their trucks in 4-wheel drive by 5:15 on some backwoods trail. In fact, many of Eldredge's examples of "true" men come from such movies...more
I just finished reading Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of A Man's Soul by John Eldredge. The back cover of the book reads,
Every man was once a boy. And every little boy has dreams, big dreams: dreams of being the hero, of beating the bad guys, of doing daring feats and rescuing the damsel in distress. Every little girl has dreams, too: of being rescued by her prince and swept up into a great adventure, knowing that she is the beauty.
But what happens to those d...more
Every man was once a boy. And every little boy has dreams, big dreams: dreams of being the hero, of beating the bad guys, of doing daring feats and rescuing the damsel in distress. Every little girl has dreams, too: of being rescued by her prince and swept up into a great adventure, knowing that she is the beauty.
But what happens to those d...more
Wild At Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
John Elderedge's extremely popular book, Wild At Heart, is an objective look at man in his native form and his relationship with God. The underlying concept of the book is to embrace the person God made you and Elderedge accomplishes this through self awareness. The power of self awareness is undeniable, so I was particularly receptive to the self reflection prescribed in this book and moreso in the study guide titled Wild at Heart Field...more
John Elderedge's extremely popular book, Wild At Heart, is an objective look at man in his native form and his relationship with God. The underlying concept of the book is to embrace the person God made you and Elderedge accomplishes this through self awareness. The power of self awareness is undeniable, so I was particularly receptive to the self reflection prescribed in this book and moreso in the study guide titled Wild at Heart Field...more
Becki
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Recommends it for:
All Christians -- Male or Female
Recommended to Becki by:
Book Sneeze
My Summary: Wild at Heart is a book about finding the authentic heart of a man. It is about the spiritual wound that all men suffer and which must be healed.
Wild at Heart gives men the tools which are necessary in order to begin searching for their own hearts, but it is written in a way that is inviting to the women as well (if not more so).
My Thoughts: I liked this book a lot. Not only did Eldredge illustrate God in a way that was new and enlightening for me, but I felt...more
Wild at Heart gives men the tools which are necessary in order to begin searching for their own hearts, but it is written in a way that is inviting to the women as well (if not more so).
My Thoughts: I liked this book a lot. Not only did Eldredge illustrate God in a way that was new and enlightening for me, but I felt...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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“And after years of hearing the heart-cry of women, I am convinced beyond a doubt of this: God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone. How could we have missed this? From cover to cover, from beginning to end, the cry of God's heart is, "Why won't you choose Me?" It is amazing to me how humble, how vulnerable God is on this point. "You will . . . find me," says the Lord, "when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). In other words, "Look for me, pursue me -- I want you to pursue me." Amazing. As Tozer says, "God waits to be wanted.”
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13 people liked it
“I wasn't mean; I wasn't evil. I was nice. And let me tell you, a hesitant man is the last thing in the world a woman needs. She needs a lover and a warrior, not a Really Nice Guy.”
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9 people liked it
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