Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

by John Eldredge

book data

2,316 ratings, 3.79 average rating, 431 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		32%
4		32%
3		21%
2		8%
1		5%

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published

January 3rd 2006 (first published 2001) by Nelson Books

binding

Paperback, 224 pages

isbn

0785287965 (isbn13: 9780785287964)

description

If Christian men are going to change from a pitiful, wimpy bunch of "really nice guys" to men who are made in the image of God, they must re...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 2,969)

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01/28/08

Trevor rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

recommends it for: no one

I have a handful of friends who are strong adherents to the message delivered in this book by John Eldredge. If they were reading my review perhaps they would accuse me of not embracing the "wild man" spirit; perhaps of being too "domesticated." But I humbly suggest that I exceed them in all degrees of wildness, except, perhaps, in *thinking* that wildness is a biblically grounded pursuit: I have climbed more mountains, endured more nights under a tent in the dead of winter...more I have a handful of friends who are strong adherents to the message delivered in this book by John Eldredge. If they were reading my review perhaps they would accuse me of not embracing the "wild man" spirit; perhaps of being too "domesticated." But I humbly suggest that I exceed them in all degrees of wildness, except, perhaps, in *thinking* that wildness is a biblically grounded pursuit: I have climbed more mountains, endured more nights under a tent in the dead of winter, and generally put myself through more tests of "manliness" than they have. Why, then, do I not like this book? It's theologically naive, misleading, and distorting of what I believe is the kind of person Christ called his followers to be.

The message, in short, has been taken way too far. What John Eldredge has done, perhaps unconsciously, is made a Christianized version of anti-modern thinking that finds its antecedents in a tradition inherited from the Romantic Movement and other similar trends in human thought. What he is preaching against is modern life: the 9-5 job, a settled and "domestic" marriage, and more generally the increasingly influential views of the emergent church. Why is it popular? It gives license to fathers who are approaching their mid-life crisis. It gives license to sons to bend (or break) the rules. It provides (however dubiously) a theological rationale for reasserting the manly prerogative. And most of all its a reassertion of old ideals of what it means to be male or female. Men are supposed to be dominant and aggressive, wild and untamed. Women are supposed to be submissive yet elusive, passively awaiting her manly suitor to rescue her from... from what? Singleness, I suppose.

I have nothing against recognizing adventure for the sake of adventure (that's why I do it). It's an escape from the day-to-day, and there *is* a certain euphoria and release accompanying adventure. But Eldredge has made the idea virtually militant. I suppose I wasn't the only one to pick on the subtle undertones suggestive of a cult of militarism and so-called "muscular Christianity." Didn't Christ admonish Christians to turn the other cheek? That love, hope, and peace are the greatest commandments? Most troubling of all was Eldredge's theologically naive ideas about the nature of God, grounded in an antiquated, almost crusader-like idea of the Old Testament warrior god. "Wild man." "Warrior." These are terms that now, because of this book, make me cringe.(less)

Like this review? yes (6 people liked it)

9 comments

08/15/07

Jason rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: religion

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

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

1 comment

01/08/08

Debbie Mcleman rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: anyone who enjoyed Captivating

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

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09/25/07

Adam rated it:

Read in May, 2005

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

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2 comments

05/24/07

Joseph Reitano rated it:

Read in January, 2003

recommends it for: All men and many women

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

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12/03/07

Justin Thompson added it (review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: craptastic

recommends it for: No one

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

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1 comment

03/26/07

Steve rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: finished

Read in June, 2004

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

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10/07/07

Rock Rockwell rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: christian-living

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

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06/20/07

Zachary Steever rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: currently-reading

This book has received mixed reviews. people either love it, hate it, or think it's just okay. I feel the book has a powerful message...slightly "hemanish" at times, but overall has a strong message of what it means to be a man of God...living passionately, loving passionately, serving passionately. a message today's men need to read. wake up and be a godly man. be strong. men in today's society have a very bad stereotype, from commercials, to movies, to sitcoms...lazy, passive, ...more

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03/18/08

Beccabug33 rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

recommends it for: no one

I hate this book so much.

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

8 comments

01/25/08

Luke rated it:

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

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01/04/08

Russell rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

Read in December, 2007

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

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05/22/07

Letitia rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

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

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05/23/07

Hannah rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: booksiread

Read in January, 2007

recommends it for: All single men & women

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

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06/04/07

Mont'ster rated it:

recommends it for: any man.

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

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03/29/09

Paul rated it:

bookshelves: theology

Read in April, 2009

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

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5 comments

03/11/08

Alexis rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

bookshelves: all-time-favs

Read in March, 2008

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

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08/24/07

Winston crawford added it

Read in June, 2007

recommends it for: yes

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

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03/14/08

Gillian Holmes rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

Read in April, 2007

recommended to Gillian by: a dumb boy
recommends it for: fundamentalists

I can't believe I actually read this book. Of course it was only because a boy I was dating loved it. There's some good poetry quoted in its chapters, and a nice thesis about how we are discontented because we don't get to battle it out in nature anymore. Oh, except that only applies to guys--girls NEVER EVER want to chop firewood or race through the forest, unless we're fucked up.

The strange thing was, after I read this book, I looked at the boy I was dating with disgust based on...more

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3 comments

07/11/07

B. rated it:

(review of isbn 0785268839)

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

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