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The Way of the Wild Heart: A Map for the Masculine Journey
Encourages men to allow God to help them complete their spiritual growth through the six stages of manhood, which will better equip them as fathers to initiate their sons into manhood.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
164 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
About the author
John Eldredge
227 books1,925 followersJohn Eldredge is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. He is known for his best-selling book Wild at Heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 19, 2021
This book taught me a lot about the specific spiritual needs of men- which hubby was able to confirm. Eldredge breaks up the masculine journey into six stages: the Beloved Son, the Cowboy Ranger, the Warrior, the Lover, the King, and the Sage. He uses a lot of Scripture and relevant stories from his own life to paint a clear and convincing picture of his ideas. I especially liked his writing style, which was down-to-earth, brutally honest, confident, and humble. He's convinced that healing will happen if a man makes an ongoing relationship with his heavenly Father a priority. This was a great opportunity for me to gain perspective on my husband's life and how I can support him, as well as how to help our sons on their own journeys. I, too, was challenged to take a longer, deeper look at aspects of the Christian's journey that aren't exclusive to either gender, such as spiritual warfare, God's love, and the need for rest. I took a LOT of notes!
July 25, 2022
A gospel perfect for those that might attempt an insurrection.
The book is littered with sincere examples of toxic masculinity and oppressive patriarchal thinking.
I noticed at least a dozen points where the author contradicted his own statements from previous sections in the book.
Maybe one of the biggest issues I had was the conviction the author had that a true masculine journey couldn’t exist beyond his own lived experiences. He continued to retrofit his ideal culture into interpretation of Biblical text.
I’m against burning books so this one star review will have to suffice.
The book is littered with sincere examples of toxic masculinity and oppressive patriarchal thinking.
I noticed at least a dozen points where the author contradicted his own statements from previous sections in the book.
Maybe one of the biggest issues I had was the conviction the author had that a true masculine journey couldn’t exist beyond his own lived experiences. He continued to retrofit his ideal culture into interpretation of Biblical text.
I’m against burning books so this one star review will have to suffice.
September 3, 2024
Another solid book by Eldridge. This book is essentially a sequel to his other book “Wild at Heart”. I remember enjoying that book a bit more than I did this one, and it seems like several of the themes from the later chapters are ideas he already mentioned in the first book. I still got a lot out of this book though, and do think it is worth reading and ruminating on.
June 15, 2025
A beautiful summary of the journey I find myself on. Lots of good practicals and poetry. Will read again
May 16, 2016
I recently read John Eldredge’s “Wild At Heart” and wasn’t terribly impressed. Normally, this would have prevented me from reading any follow up, but I had borrowed both books from a friend and I couldn’t return a book without reading it. This is the only reason I would have found myself reading “The Way of the Wild Heart”.
This book is apparently a map for the masculine journey – a guide to becoming the type of man Eldredge described as being what he saw as the perfect man in the original book. He argues that over the course of a man’s life, he will go through six stages; the beloved son, the cowboy, the warrior, the lover, the king and the sage. He says that missing any of these steps, which can happen with events over any stage in a man’s development, results in a man who is missing aspects of his masculinity and that these will prevent him from becoming all the man he could be.
I found “The Way of the Wild Heart” to be a better written book than “Wild at Heart”. Reading it flowed a lot better than in the original, as the word usage was wider and simpler and the style didn’t feel quite so stiff. He took a lot more examples from films and his usage of examples from other writers and preachers rather than simple from his own experience was better. I found reading the book much less of a struggle than the first time around and the book as a whole was a lot more engaging.
That said, Eldredge does still only have the single point of view he had in the original book, in that he feels man was created for wilderness or outdoor living and this is the way to make a real man. So whilst he does quote quite a few films, they are mostly of the type that feature heroic characters and journeys to becoming those heroes, particularly when this happens outdoors. The films he quotes are often good ones, but he doesn’t make the point I half expected, that men want to watch those kinds of films because we can no longer live those kinds of lives in the modern culture.
Whilst his Bible usage is a little wider this time, not just twisting a certain passage to fit his argument, there is some evidence that he is still doing this. When a man he admires is not the type of man he expects us all to be, such as with C. S. Lewis, he picks on a tiny aspect of the man’s character that fits his point and presses it home as far as he can until it starts making his point. He implies that anyone who doesn’t do things the way he believes they should be done is less of a man and less of a Christian, which is a very isolating point to make.
He often presses this point home by using very negative language. He talks about other ways of doing things leaving a man wounded and, often, emasculated. He uses rather violent terms to describe things that don’t work out his way. He gives an example of a time he was working on a book about the feminine side of life with his wife and how he had to get away from it, and from her, to rediscover his masculine side. What he then went and did and the way he describes it made me feel he was the immature one, rather than anyone else and I started to feel a little sorry for his wife for the lack of support he was offering during this time, as if she mattered less for not being a man, which is an argument completely at odds with modern culture.
Although his use of films does help the book appeal to a wider cross-section of men than before, many of his examples still involve hunting, fishing and rock-climbing, which are either virtually impossible or very difficult for a man living in a British city to achieve. Once again, he has isolated a huge cross-section of men for whom his way of life isn’t easily achievable and on the rare occasion he does refer to urban living, it is in terms of a man who has been “rescued” from that way of living, not in terms of how a man in that kind of life can achieve a kind of masculinity Eldredge feels is required for “full” manhood.
Given that Eldredge recommends that to get the most from this book, you should first have read “Wild At Heart”, which I can in no way recommend, this book really isn’t worth getting on that basis. That said, I don’t think the former is essential reading to reach this point, given that so little of it is entirely relevant to modern living. For all it is better written and more engaging that Eldredge’s earlier book, it retains the very narrow focus that simply doesn’t reflect the average British man’s life, whether a believer or not, so it will alienate those without faith by referring to faith quite heavily and those without by failing to reflect their lives. Better it may be, but good it still isn’t.
This book is apparently a map for the masculine journey – a guide to becoming the type of man Eldredge described as being what he saw as the perfect man in the original book. He argues that over the course of a man’s life, he will go through six stages; the beloved son, the cowboy, the warrior, the lover, the king and the sage. He says that missing any of these steps, which can happen with events over any stage in a man’s development, results in a man who is missing aspects of his masculinity and that these will prevent him from becoming all the man he could be.
I found “The Way of the Wild Heart” to be a better written book than “Wild at Heart”. Reading it flowed a lot better than in the original, as the word usage was wider and simpler and the style didn’t feel quite so stiff. He took a lot more examples from films and his usage of examples from other writers and preachers rather than simple from his own experience was better. I found reading the book much less of a struggle than the first time around and the book as a whole was a lot more engaging.
That said, Eldredge does still only have the single point of view he had in the original book, in that he feels man was created for wilderness or outdoor living and this is the way to make a real man. So whilst he does quote quite a few films, they are mostly of the type that feature heroic characters and journeys to becoming those heroes, particularly when this happens outdoors. The films he quotes are often good ones, but he doesn’t make the point I half expected, that men want to watch those kinds of films because we can no longer live those kinds of lives in the modern culture.
Whilst his Bible usage is a little wider this time, not just twisting a certain passage to fit his argument, there is some evidence that he is still doing this. When a man he admires is not the type of man he expects us all to be, such as with C. S. Lewis, he picks on a tiny aspect of the man’s character that fits his point and presses it home as far as he can until it starts making his point. He implies that anyone who doesn’t do things the way he believes they should be done is less of a man and less of a Christian, which is a very isolating point to make.
He often presses this point home by using very negative language. He talks about other ways of doing things leaving a man wounded and, often, emasculated. He uses rather violent terms to describe things that don’t work out his way. He gives an example of a time he was working on a book about the feminine side of life with his wife and how he had to get away from it, and from her, to rediscover his masculine side. What he then went and did and the way he describes it made me feel he was the immature one, rather than anyone else and I started to feel a little sorry for his wife for the lack of support he was offering during this time, as if she mattered less for not being a man, which is an argument completely at odds with modern culture.
Although his use of films does help the book appeal to a wider cross-section of men than before, many of his examples still involve hunting, fishing and rock-climbing, which are either virtually impossible or very difficult for a man living in a British city to achieve. Once again, he has isolated a huge cross-section of men for whom his way of life isn’t easily achievable and on the rare occasion he does refer to urban living, it is in terms of a man who has been “rescued” from that way of living, not in terms of how a man in that kind of life can achieve a kind of masculinity Eldredge feels is required for “full” manhood.
Given that Eldredge recommends that to get the most from this book, you should first have read “Wild At Heart”, which I can in no way recommend, this book really isn’t worth getting on that basis. That said, I don’t think the former is essential reading to reach this point, given that so little of it is entirely relevant to modern living. For all it is better written and more engaging that Eldredge’s earlier book, it retains the very narrow focus that simply doesn’t reflect the average British man’s life, whether a believer or not, so it will alienate those without faith by referring to faith quite heavily and those without by failing to reflect their lives. Better it may be, but good it still isn’t.
August 24, 2025
It seems there may be few more controversial and difficult topics to address in our gender confused world such as what it means to be a man. What is a man? What is a woman? Loaded questions! But to add on the next layer can take us into even more controversial territory: what does it mean to be a Christian man?
I read John Eldredge’s book, Wild at Heart, unsure what to expect. I was surprised by how relevant and relatable it is so many decades after its first being published. What surprised me even more was just how MORE I enjoyed this sequel of sorts—The Way of the Wild Heart.
In this book, Eldredge takes the reader through the stages of “The Masculine Journey,” ranging from Boyhood, to Cowboy, to Warrior, to Lover, to King, and, finally, to Sage. Eldredge masterfully explains each stage, gives biblical support, and practical guidance on how to thrive in each stage despite the lack of initiation you experienced. This book rose very quickly into my top 10 books of all time list (a difficult list to get on, I may say!) and will be one I am recommending to men (to husbands, to fathers, to sons) for years to come.
Men, we need you now, more than ever, to step up. To lead. Let’s get to it.
I read John Eldredge’s book, Wild at Heart, unsure what to expect. I was surprised by how relevant and relatable it is so many decades after its first being published. What surprised me even more was just how MORE I enjoyed this sequel of sorts—The Way of the Wild Heart.
In this book, Eldredge takes the reader through the stages of “The Masculine Journey,” ranging from Boyhood, to Cowboy, to Warrior, to Lover, to King, and, finally, to Sage. Eldredge masterfully explains each stage, gives biblical support, and practical guidance on how to thrive in each stage despite the lack of initiation you experienced. This book rose very quickly into my top 10 books of all time list (a difficult list to get on, I may say!) and will be one I am recommending to men (to husbands, to fathers, to sons) for years to come.
Men, we need you now, more than ever, to step up. To lead. Let’s get to it.
July 29, 2024
Look around at the men of today; Eldredge remarks that many of them are “unfinished and unfathered boys in men’s bodies.” They are either unaware or afraid of the masculine journey and all that it requires, for it can be rightly regarded as the “central mission of life,” requiring all of a man in order to transform him into who his Author has destined him to become. The stages of the masculine journey are as follows: the beloved son (when you come to know that you are loved deeply and irreplaceable), the cowboy (when you come to know your own strength and that others need you), the warrior (when you come to know yourself as dangerous and powerful, able to fight for whatever is beautiful and true in life), the lover (when you begin to open yourself up to “all the ways your Maker has been romancing you”), the king (when one wields power, influence, and property in His name), and the sage (when one transform his history of experiences into a well of wisdom for others). Another great book by Eldredge!
June 10, 2023
It's been a while since I read Wild at Heart but I remember that book a bit better. I read this one to get more of an idea of what I should or shouldn't do to raise my own boys. Besides having a right of passage year adn just allowing them to be in their proper stage in life. I think maybe I try to push them into the next phase - out of ignorance - quicker than they need. I also just don't know that I got a lot of practical advice from this book. I did read it realizing I failed to have the dad wound but at 18 I may have disagreed with that statement, maybe I've just worked through it over the last 20 years and it's healed, I don't know. It does make me want to go back and read Wild at Heart again sometime and see what my revised thoughts are on that book.
July 9, 2017
I almost dropped this book towards the middle and I'm glad I didn't. It's a reverse bell curve type of book. Started out rather inspiring, but took awhile to ramble around his points in the middle. The last few chapters delve more into men's roles as a "lover", a "king", and a "sage" and led up to a rather inspiring finish. He provides lots of interesting anecdotes and family stories to summarize his points, but this may not be the best book for someone who wants a direct, quick answer. His voice and story are clear, and it is a feel-good book appropriate for any stage in life. Must read Wild at Heart first!
December 30, 2024
The book did actually have some interesting thoughts about masculinity, but unfortunately that’s all they were.. thoughts.
Everything said it the book is exclusively based on Eldridge’s own experiences or his odd biblical superstitions.
For instance, Eldridge claims the masculine heart longs for the wild life outside because Adam was created outside of the garden. Eve however was created inside the garden, and as such, the feminine heart longs to stay inside…
I don’t know, the book just feels like sexism with extra steps…
Everything said it the book is exclusively based on Eldridge’s own experiences or his odd biblical superstitions.
For instance, Eldridge claims the masculine heart longs for the wild life outside because Adam was created outside of the garden. Eve however was created inside the garden, and as such, the feminine heart longs to stay inside…
I don’t know, the book just feels like sexism with extra steps…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2017
Wow! This book, as you can tell from the dates, took me a while to read. Yet, what an opportunity to savor the truth and life Eldredge captures within these pages. I especially loved how practical Eldredge was in his suggestions of how to raise boys into their own identity as men.
As suggested in the back, I think I'll probably end up reading again as I continue myself on this journey of masculine discovery.
As suggested in the back, I think I'll probably end up reading again as I continue myself on this journey of masculine discovery.
July 29, 2018
A must read for all men wanting to grow in their faith and become the men they were meant to be. John has such a way of putting things simply that make it very easy to apply to our daily lives. God used this book to reshape my life and change the way I'm living. It is a must read, but you will need an open heart and willingness to change.
October 8, 2020
The Way of the Wild Heart isn't a bad book, but it comes at a time I'm not that interested in what it has to offer. While I occasionally love mountains or the outdoors, I'm not that into it. If you're not an outdoorsman, you'll miss a lot of this book. If you are, it's a great treatise on becoming a man and how to navigate the different stages of life.
February 4, 2021
This was a great follow-up to Wild at Heart. It is a must read for men who influence boys and men, especially fathers and grandfathers. I will probably re-read it again just to pick up anything that I might have missed.
April 4, 2022
Beautiful book. This is well written and every page deserves its place in this book. I feel inspired and it often had me reconsidering my life and ambitions. Very glad I read this. I think every man and father must read this book.
January 20, 2024
Pretty good book!
Gives a good outline on what it looks like to have a healthy growth into manhood as a Christian.
Would also be really good for parents helping raise their kids into mature Christians
Gives a good outline on what it looks like to have a healthy growth into manhood as a Christian.
Would also be really good for parents helping raise their kids into mature Christians
February 9, 2024
Loved reading this, there were a lot of really great moments where words were put to thoughts and ideas I've had for a long time. Not only has this book helped me understand my past, it's helped me understand my present role and future applications.
October 24, 2017
It read like a repeat of the first book with even more story and less practicality so I didn't enjoy it.
December 6, 2018
Amazing journey through the maturity of masculinity.
January 19, 2019
beloved son -> cowboy -> warrior -> king -> sage
power is for serving
keep asking God for guidance
power is for serving
keep asking God for guidance
June 1, 2019
Challenged with a new way to understand Father’s love for us
February 21, 2022
This book was formative for me in my young adult years and helped me understand the role that I as a young man have to play and what roles to possibly hope for in the future.
April 13, 2023
Ramiai per vyro gyvenimą. Aptariant gyvenimo žaizdas ir einant link prasmės.
August 23, 2025
Audiobook
May 16, 2023
A must read book for men and those who have boys
- woman aren't a problem to fix, but to adore
- woman aren't a problem to fix, but to adore
December 15, 2021
I found this book to be great. John always brings an intensity to his topics I truly appreciate. I found the different stages of manhood that were laid out to be very thought provoking and made the book easy to follow and cohesive.
March 14, 2017
This was the book John Eldridge should have written the first time. Awesome, practical, and very inspiring. Christ centered, masculinity is available to all men found in Christ, and this book is a guide.
July 1, 2012
This year has been very good for my spiritual growth as well as the fortifying of my faith in the Godhead (Abba Father, Beloved Son and Savior Jesus Christ, and Guidance and Moving of the Holy Spirit). I am proud to say I am a Follower of the Holy Trinity (I don't say Christian because it's a term diluted through time...well for me), and I've been reading more into my belief. John Eldredge was introduced to me through my Pastor with his first book Wild at Heart. When I first read the book, I was enamored on how much it related and touched my soul. However, I gave the book only four stars since it came off more as an understanding or analysis and hardly touched on how to become masculine for the Lord. It also didn't help the book felt discombobulating.
This is why I love Way of the Wild Heart and gave it a perfect score. What Eldredge's debut novel was lacking, this novel covered and explained perfectly. This read was more of a step-by-step guide on each stage of masculine initiation for God. Dividing the understanding of the masculine heart through stages is also very scientific and organized and can also be associated with 12-Step Programs. Instead, there are only five stages and the addiction or bondage is that of uninitiated state as men. Psychology and sociology - though unintentional - also play a very important role in this book along with the backing of popular scenarios such as Lord of the Rings, Kingdom of Heaven, or The Chronicles of Narnia just to name a few.
The final part of this review comes to the fact this book is actually a novel which best fits on its own but makes even better sense after reading Wild at Heart. Like I said, I gave the debut novel four stars since it was lacking some things on what it was supposed to do more so than grammar or sentence structure - which the book was very devoid of any errors actually. I will say the only downside of this book was possibly the epilogue mostly because it came off more as a pitch than a conclusion for continuation of one's own progression into masculinity. Nevertheless, a very great read and a perfect score for what Goodread's provides. I would suggest this book to any man who feels lost in their masculinity.
On a sidenote, another great this Eldredge did was only detail the stages he himself have experienced the most. The Sage which is the last stage of the masculine soul which happens around senior citizen years is only one chapter and associated with experiencing others how are within that stage. Reason why it is just one chapter is because he himself has not reached it. I find that to be high on humility.
This is why I love Way of the Wild Heart and gave it a perfect score. What Eldredge's debut novel was lacking, this novel covered and explained perfectly. This read was more of a step-by-step guide on each stage of masculine initiation for God. Dividing the understanding of the masculine heart through stages is also very scientific and organized and can also be associated with 12-Step Programs. Instead, there are only five stages and the addiction or bondage is that of uninitiated state as men. Psychology and sociology - though unintentional - also play a very important role in this book along with the backing of popular scenarios such as Lord of the Rings, Kingdom of Heaven, or The Chronicles of Narnia just to name a few.
The final part of this review comes to the fact this book is actually a novel which best fits on its own but makes even better sense after reading Wild at Heart. Like I said, I gave the debut novel four stars since it was lacking some things on what it was supposed to do more so than grammar or sentence structure - which the book was very devoid of any errors actually. I will say the only downside of this book was possibly the epilogue mostly because it came off more as a pitch than a conclusion for continuation of one's own progression into masculinity. Nevertheless, a very great read and a perfect score for what Goodread's provides. I would suggest this book to any man who feels lost in their masculinity.
On a sidenote, another great this Eldredge did was only detail the stages he himself have experienced the most. The Sage which is the last stage of the masculine soul which happens around senior citizen years is only one chapter and associated with experiencing others how are within that stage. Reason why it is just one chapter is because he himself has not reached it. I find that to be high on humility.
May 25, 2007
Okay, I realize I am putting my reputation on the line, but I am throwing caution to the wind. I read this book on a whim, and probably against my better judgment. But turns out- I liked it. Eldredge's uber-macho approach to masculinity is polarizing and in many ways shame inducing (i.e. you're not a man unless you love to kill things, participate in extreme sports, and ride a horse). I understand why so many are turned off by his words. However, despite my distaste for his limited perspective, I found myself personally resonating with his description of the masculine journey. Of course I had to peel back the silly male caricatures (cowboy, ranger, warrior, etc.) before finding it- but its there. The masculine soul struggles with and is haunted by the question “do I have what it takes?” Elderedge takes a pseudo-developmental approach to describing how this existential delimma unfolds for the male. He highlights such tasks as attachment (beloved son), individuation (cowboy), and transcendence (Sage). He also highlights the importance of initiative, industry, and identity (Ericksonian development). Interestingly, he does not use psychological literature to support his claims, instead he utilizes biblical stories and popular movies to support his assertions- a very significant weakness in the book. I am sure this was intended to appease his traditional reading audience (it is all about selling more books).
Although a little melodramatic, I really liked his emphasis on intentional living. In particular, the significance and importance of rites of passages. Much like a vision quest, each boy must pass through several rites of passages before crossing over to manhood. I also myself gravitating towards the idea that masculinity begets masculinity, meaning only a man can teach a boy how to be a man. Makes sense to me, but I understand that concept carries a lot of political baggage.
So, this book left me questioning if the process of individuation, attachment and transcendence looks different in each gender? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Although a little melodramatic, I really liked his emphasis on intentional living. In particular, the significance and importance of rites of passages. Much like a vision quest, each boy must pass through several rites of passages before crossing over to manhood. I also myself gravitating towards the idea that masculinity begets masculinity, meaning only a man can teach a boy how to be a man. Makes sense to me, but I understand that concept carries a lot of political baggage.
So, this book left me questioning if the process of individuation, attachment and transcendence looks different in each gender? I would love to hear your thoughts.
March 16, 2016
Back Cover: This is a book about how a boy -- and a man -- becomes a man. It's a guide to the process of masculine initiation, tat ancient path every boy and man must take if they would become the man they long to be. The path whereby they come to know they are a man, and are able to live and love from a deep, centered strength. We live in a time where most men (and boys) are essentially fatherless. Whatever their circumstance, they have no man actually taking them through the many adventures, trials, battles and experiences they need to shape a masculine heart within them. They find themselves on their own to figure life out, and that is a lonely place to be. Their fears, anger, boredom, and their many addictions all come out of this fatherless place within them, a fundamental uncertainty in the core of their being. But there is a way. "We aren't meant to figure life out on our own," says John Eldredge. "God wants to father us." In "The Way of the Wild Heart," Eldredge reveals how God comes to a man and takes him on the masculine journey, how nearly all the events of a man's life can come together to provide the initiation he never received. And how parents can offer that initiation to their sons. Whatever your age may be, your Father is ready to take up your journey. For you are his son.
John Eldredge is a gifted storyteller. His style alone is captivating (punn intended). But his message is right on. So, it's a good message delivered in an engaging way.
John Eldredge is a gifted storyteller. His style alone is captivating (punn intended). But his message is right on. So, it's a good message delivered in an engaging way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews