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12th out of 18 books
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The Wonder of Boys
I n this edition of his parenting classic, Michael Gurian considers how the culture has changed in the ten years since The Wonder of Boys was first published, including the impact of the Internet.
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
September 7th 2006
by Tarcher
(first published 1996)
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This book, and it's author, changed the way I understand the genders. The book is organized in a way that explains the science and the anecdotes side-by-side for the reader, as well as offering valuable insight into the male brain. As I read it, I realized that my own brain functions much the same way and it explained a lot, not only with the way I interact with my son, but also in understanding why I think the WAY I think. Great book. I have since read several other books by Michael Gurian ...more
Not organized in a way that would allow you to skim through it. The lessons are buried within, and most apply to girls too. Worthwhile for its particular audience, I guess. It was mostly just the author's opinions, which I don't mind using as a starting point for interesting conversations with parents and teachers.
The Good
While my review is predominately negative, there were a few redeeming qualities to this book. It calls for fathers to be involved with their children. He also brought up the point that the US is one of the few societies in the world where mom and dad alone are expected to raise their children. Other societies rely heavily on extended family and friends for assistance. He calls for a more communal approach to raising children and has positive things to say about day care as a wa...more
While my review is predominately negative, there were a few redeeming qualities to this book. It calls for fathers to be involved with their children. He also brought up the point that the US is one of the few societies in the world where mom and dad alone are expected to raise their children. Other societies rely heavily on extended family and friends for assistance. He calls for a more communal approach to raising children and has positive things to say about day care as a wa...more
Since I have agreed with most of the books I've read I was beginning to wonder if I have a mind of my own or if I just believe everything I read. Well, this book gave me my answer.
I don't agree with the majority of the author's stances on what is appropriate boy behavior and how parents should interact with them. He claims it is okay and actually good for parents to "diss" their sons into behaving correctly. And there were so many other things that I was baffled by that I ...more
I don't agree with the majority of the author's stances on what is appropriate boy behavior and how parents should interact with them. He claims it is okay and actually good for parents to "diss" their sons into behaving correctly. And there were so many other things that I was baffled by that I ...more
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I bought this desperation because my young son and I seemed to be at odds and I wanted to nip the arguments before they became a pattern. I also wanted to get a little insight into why my sweet boy was suddenly so argumentative. This book was the wrong choice for me.
I admit to skipping around to get a feel for the writing but it seemed nearly every chapter was at odds with my own beliefs and I have decided to search out something else. I have been recommended "Real Boys"...more
I admit to skipping around to get a feel for the writing but it seemed nearly every chapter was at odds with my own beliefs and I have decided to search out something else. I have been recommended "Real Boys"...more
I liked the insights into male psychology and the world of boys. But I recommend reading it in light of the author's own childhood experiences. Can't help feeling his own strained relationship with his mother feeds a lot of his advice and overall attitude toward mothers.
This book really helped me understand better a boy's temperament, needs, and habits. I think I should probably reread it about every other year to help me raise my boys as they grow.
I didn't like this at all!!! This author has no business writing books on how to raise boys especially given his own personal history. Didn't care for it at all!
I see my boys struggling to be successful at school and have found this book to be very helpful by providing a framework for giving them what they need to feel good about themselves and feel good about life in general. Raising children isn't just having them, feeding them and making sure they get to school - it's a full time commitment if you want them to have rich lives and be happy with the expectations society and our Creator has for them and for the human race to thrive in general. If you be...more
This book confirmed what my instincts already told me about boys:they hit, hide their feelings, need LOTS of movement and room to play, lie easily, play and do and think in a "boy" way, etc., but it was nice to have many educators, doctors, and scientists confirm that these things are normal and to be expected. Boys and girls are very different and should be different from one another. Simple but true! I feel more prepared to parent my boys and not get my feathers too ruffled at the th...more
Whew! I thought I'd never finish! There were definitely some things I liked about this book, but also some things I didn't. On the plus side: I learned a lot about boys biology, genetics, and brain chemistry (the first chapter was one of the most interesting). Also, I learned a lot about parenting teenage boys, and what it means to help them step confidently into manhood. I also learned why boys have a tendency to get into negative behaviors - from aggressive toddlers to teens in gangs, to ...more
I was very disappointed by this book, partly because I had such high hopes from the central message ("Boys are different from girls, both are equally valuable, here are some ways to nurture the boys in your life.")
My complaints are that the suggestions tend to be more theoretical than practical, and I'm completely unimpressed by talk of spirituality that literally bends over backwards to avoid advocating religion. The chapter directed at mothers seems unhelpful because it's...more
My complaints are that the suggestions tend to be more theoretical than practical, and I'm completely unimpressed by talk of spirituality that literally bends over backwards to avoid advocating religion. The chapter directed at mothers seems unhelpful because it's...more
This book is a favorite among my parenting books. Being a mother of 2 boys I was intrigued by the content and was not disappointed. It is so insightful, compassionate, thought provoking and full of great advice. Even when touching on the sensitive subject matter of homosexuality I was blown away by the compassion and stance the author takes. This book opened my eyes and helped me to understand not only my children but all the men in my life.
I haven't quite finished this book (I got distracted by work and life, but I will definitely return to it sometime) but I loved what I did read. It was so insightful, especially for me, growing up in a family of three girls and no brothers. Now I have two boys of my own and a wonderful husband and this book was a fantastic peek into why they act as bizarrely as they do. =) Seriously, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
I read 200 pages before getting thoroughly distracted by the other books on my nightstand and found some topics thought-provoking and others annoying. Interesting: boys should be - or need to be - involved in groups such as sports, boys need to be motivated by helping out the greater good (clean your room to help the family vs clean your room so you can find things - my example). Annoying - author seemed to be addressing broken families and while seeming open-minded also much emphasizing Christi...more
This book is SO interesting. I have learned so much about boys/men. It's great because I can put it down and come back to it days later and don't have to review what I have read.
I am constantly thinking about what I have read. When I finish this one I am going to get 'The Wonder of Girls'
I am constantly thinking about what I have read. When I finish this one I am going to get 'The Wonder of Girls'
It seems the best thing I can do for my sons is stay married to their father! A good read, I agree with his concept of three family circles and being mindful of all the influences in a boys' life. Not really applicable for my boys' ages but I'll keep it around for reference!
this is taking me a while to read, so it may be on my list for a while...but i think anyone who teaches boys, is raising a boy, is married to a boy, has any boy in their life, should read this book, or something by this author. another great one of his: the good son.
Jessica
is currently reading it
I am loving this book, as I seem to go head to head with my son quite a bit. I am a daughter raised by single feminist mother and now a slightly less radical feminist mother raising a son. I find it helps to have perspective!
Has some fascinating research and insight into boys. However, parts of it are very slow, redundant, and some of it is just plain garbage. With that said, I really did learn a lot, but do disagree on several of his assertions.
Astute. realistic observations about the general need to orient boys to their gender in modern world and how to communicate with the male mind/feelings. Found some of his observations useful in getting my sons to adopt responsibility at an early age: the principle of right channeling of aggression into chivalry. But the area on sexual morality would have been better left out because it says nothing concrete, which of course it can't unless there is are principles being proposed.
Sherra
rated it
Recommends it for:
any mother of sons, or wife who wants some insight into how her husbands brain works!
Shelves:
favorite-books-ever
This book gave me allot of insight about my son and even my husband. It is a clinical look at the evolutionary difference of a mans brain, and how our modern culture doesn't account for those instincts. Also talks about how the focus on women in our culture has exacerbated the problem. Focusing on girls in school (he doesn't say we shouldn't do it, just that equal time and effort should be given to both boys and girls), has caused boys to fall by the wayside. Really a very good book for mot...more
Was lent this by a friend who has been an early childhood educator for 35 books. It is an illuminating and extremely helpful book.
Vanessaprossi
added it
I read parts of this when Jack was born. It's like a reference book. It's about raising boys and the education of boys. Very insightful.
tagline-nya mengintimidasi...."....menjadi pria sejati?"....jadi pengen tau apa kriteria pria sejati menurut Michael Gurian....
The Wonder of Boys discusses ideas for how to raise boys into men, which is an incredibly worthy topic. However, the book is heavy on rhetoric, and light on actual ideas for implementation. Furthermore, a divorced parent would feel pretty bashed by this book. Gurian is incredibly anti-divorce, which is great in theory, but not so cut and dry in real life. That pretty much sums up this book - great theories, but that's not enough when we are dealing with the nitty gritty of raising boys. Wit...more
Since I have two boys and am married to a man, thought this would be a good read. It did have some interesting things...probably more than I'm giving it credit for. But all the sex stuff was completely off base. Oh, well. Gather the good stuff.
This was my favorite book for raising boys. Also read Raising Cane and The Trouble with Boys.
Odessa
added it
The bottom line: all boys should play sports. Not so into this.
helpful for those interested in emotional disturbances.
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