Rating: 
Summary: Pack Your Preconceptions and Take a Trip
Review: A Man's Journey is a trip that welcomes women along, too. It's a collection of essays by a noteworthy group of men: a hermit, a four-star general, a former fighter pilot, and a rock star, as well as works by writers, professors, therapists and entrepreneurs, 55 in all. The authors reflect on different aspects of their lives, and, in the process, offer the reader insights into their hearts as well. Several striking pieces stand out: a remarkable essay on the rewards of serving as a mentor to young people ("In Loco Parentis"); a wry tale about money ("You Can Never Lose Too Much"); and an elegy for the Minnesota Vikings, which provides a hint at what's inside the soul of a true fanatic.
Rating:
Summary: men of depth
Review: As a women born in 1961, I have been aware that roles of men and women in the world have changed very quickly and drasticaly over the last few generations. Which, i believe has effected the way men and women are able to understand and relate to each other. I found the format of this book extreamly enjoyable, each writer's honesty refreshing, and the resulting insites into the male condition in our socielty inspiring. I am the mother of three small boys, and I desire greatly to help them develope both charater and spirtuality as they grow into men. This book is living proof that these charateristics are not only possible in the modern man, but a "main ingreadiant" of the male personality and thought process. I plan to ask all of my sons to read this book when they come of age.
Rating: 
Summary: A Woman who loves Men in Abundance?
Review: Contributors to this fine anthology of male authors would be far better served without the unnecessary and cloying tailpieces tacked onto their work by Author-Publisher Sarah Ban Breathnach. The jacket photo of foxy Sarah tells it all. The girl's gotta have the last word.
Rating:
Summary: lacking in simple abundance
Review: Despite professing a desire to get away from stereotypes, the book reaffirmed the idea that men and women can't understand each other without the aid of trite touchy-feely books like this one. I felt that this book didn't cohesively address ANY of the issues of manhood. Some of the essays were genuinely touching, but most of the ones I really liked didn't illuminate manhood but personhood. Breathnach's introductions and comments were by far the worst parts. They framed the simple musings of the essays awkwardly, imposing structure and themes where they didn't belong.
Rating:
Summary: Very insightful read!
Review: I normally don't purchase "self help" books, but reading the reviews of this book made me interested. Each essay is unique and with a different point of view, but they all tap into the unique joys and sorrows of being a man. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interesting in learning more about themselves and getting in touch with their inner person.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe it just wasn't what I was looking for
Review: If you visit Ms. Breathnac's site, you will find helpful advice for meditating and a new outlook on incidents in your life. The book did not offer that, though it proposed to. Her charity work is tremendous and the woman seems to have an endless amount of love and energy. The book seemed more like Chicken Soup for the Soul with a test at the end than anything that offered daily guidance and affirmations. But like I said, maybe it just wasn't for me.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe it just wasn't what I was looking for
Review: If you visit Ms. Breathnac's site, you will find helpful advice for meditating and a new outlook on incidents in your life. The book did not offer that, though it proposed to. Her charity work is tremendous and the woman seems to have an endless amount of love and energy. The book seemed more like Chicken Soup for the Soul with a test at the end than anything that offered daily guidance and affirmations. But like I said, maybe it just wasn't for me.
Rating: 
Summary: And Never the Twain Shall Meet.
Review: Ms. Breathnach collaborated with Michael Segell to teach us women that men actually do think and feel differently from the females in their lives. It was through his wife, Winnie Gallagher, that the two found each other and produced this informative journal. There are fifty-two diverse contributors selected and edited by Mr. Segell. For ages we've known of the contradictions between recollections by the different sexes; this was published to bring them closer together by revealing some similarites not just the differences. It was a definite challenge. Whatever else you could say, they are perhaps true. I can see why they chose Mark Winegardner's "Like Mother, Like Son,' to get off to a good start. It is rewarding to read how he credits his mother with his creativity. I told son Zachary that he got his writing ability from me, but he was doubtful. Like me, Mark has trouble "forgiving." In this series of essays, we strive to understand male emotions, their historic lack of commitment, their great pride and self-esteem from the professional lives (I wonder, did they see the new STEPFORD WIVES movie?), and the uniquely male perspective on life's problems. Some years ago, I worked through SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy and learned what is really important to women. Now, they attempt to turn the tables, so to speak, to educate women about the men they love but have difficulty understanding. She gives her view of the creation, using Spirit as God, Eve as the first 'soul mate,' spiritual awakening; I waited to see if the Spirit was a woman who presented this version: It's not good for man to be alone; something or someone was missing. Merle Shain stated it clearly, "There are no perfect men, of course, but some are more perfect than others, and we can use all of those we can get." Men feel they 'deserve' respect (ha), they should seek it by their actions. Some of these essays are provocative and most are complicated to a woman's sensibilities. It's possible that some of them may move you to laughter or tears. Men are good at faking emotions they don't feel. And some can act up in public and embarrass an innocent woman for something the man mistakenly assumed. I was most interested in those written by Southern humorist, Roy Blount, Jr., and Reynolds Price, another Southerner with the longest bibliography. Jake Jacobsen was the most original, listed only as a 'hermit.' He hates women, it seems. Some are Pulitzer prize winners in their fields. They use thoughtfulness, intelligence, and sometimes wit to get their individual points across. I heard this on the Wink Martindale show recently on the Music Of Your Life radio network, "You are born an individual; don't die a copy." Men will always be men and we can value them for the creatures they are, for better or for worse.
Rating:
Summary: And Never the Twain Shall Meet.
Review: Ms. Breathnach collaborated with Michael Segell to teach us women that men actually do think and feel differently from the females in their lives. It was through his wife, Winnie Gallagher, that the two found each other and produced this informative journal. There are fifty-two diverse contributors selected and edited by Mr. Segell. For ages we've known of the contradictions between recollections by the different sexes; this was published to bring them closer together by revealing some similarites not just the differences. It was a definite challenge. Whatever else you could say, they are perhaps true. I can see why they chose Mark Winegardner's "Like Mother, Like Son,' to get off to a good start. It is rewarding to read how he credits his mother with his creativity. I told son Zachary that he got his writing ability from me, but he was doubtful. Like me, Mark has trouble "forgiving." In this series of essays, we strive to understand male emotions, their historic lack of commitment, their great pride and self-esteem from the professional lives (I wonder, did they see the new STEPFORD WIVES movie?), and the uniquely male perspective on life's problems. Some years ago, I worked through SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy and learned what is really important to women. Now, they attempt to turn the tables, so to speak, to educate women about the men they love but have difficulty understanding. She gives her view of the creation, using Spirit as God, Eve as the first 'soul mate,' spiritual awakening; I waited to see if the Spirit was a woman who presented this version: It's not good for man to be alone; something or someone was missing. Merle Shain stated it clearly, "There are no perfect men, of course, but some are more perfect than others, and we can use all of those we can get." Men feel they 'deserve' respect (ha), they should seek it by their actions. Some of these essays are provocative and most are complicated to a woman's sensibilities. It's possible that some of them may move you to laughter or tears. Men are good at faking emotions they don't feel. And some can act up in public and embarrass an innocent woman for something the man mistakenly assumed. I was most interested in those written by Southern humorist, Roy Blount, Jr., and Reynolds Price, another Southerner with the longest bibliography. Jake Jacobsen was the most original, listed only as a 'hermit.' He hates women, it seems. Some are Pulitzer prize winners in their fields. They use thoughtfulness, intelligence, and sometimes wit to get their individual points across. I heard this on the Wink Martindale show recently on the Music Of Your Life radio network, "You are born an individual; don't die a copy." Men will always be men and we can value them for the creatures they are, for better or for worse.
Rating:
Summary: Table of Contents-5 stars; Actual Contents-1 star
Review: The table of contents to this book is very intriguing--Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons, essays presumably about what it means to be a man in today's world. This is a topic seemingly of introspective interest to all males, yet the actual writing struck me as either completely off topic, or so obvious and sentimental that it offered no quiet, contemplative wisdom worthy of the time it takes to read. These are all brief stories from a variety of authors. In reading prior reviews of this book above, I tried to see if those who liked the book were male or female. From a female perspective, perhaps there is an easier acceptance of the stories presented, that they really do have relevance somehow. There are some sentimental values expressed in "A Man's Journey," and perhaps that appeals to some, but for me, I think it utterly fails in the premise expressed in the title and offered me nothing of probitive value. This is not meant to diminish those who liked it, but I'm scratching my head trying to see the value to me, a male very interested in the topics listed in the table of contents. There are six "Top Ten Things" listed at the end of every section. Things like, "I wish we'd had a few more laughs and a few less arguments" (10 things I wish I'd told my father), or "Change a tire"(10 things every man should know), or "How much of an effort do I make, really?" (10 things every man should know the answer to). If you want a quick litmus test of whether this book offers you anything, just pick one of those lists for a quick review. If you like what's listed, you'll probably like the book, if not, it's a waste of time.
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