Rating: 
Summary: Not the John Eldredge I'd Heard About
Review: I'd head a lot about John Eldredge and was excited to get going through the book, however once I started reading it...I couldn't finish it. I had several problems with the book, but the main one is that the entire book is based off of a bad theological premise. Eldredge makes the assumption that since the Bible says that Adam was placed in the garden, that he was created outside of the garden of Eden (not a bad assumption at all). But because of that, all men have always longed for the outdoors, wilderness and adventure. That seems to be a pretty big jump to me. Besides the fact of the many guys I know who are incredibly Godly men who don't long to be in the wilderness...this book implies that they aren't really living like the man God created them to be. I've heard great things about Eldredge's other books, including Waking the Dead, but I'm aphrehensive about spending my money on them after my disappointment with this one
Rating: 
Summary: Eldredge Hits Homerun with Wild At Heart
Review: It seems like I have purchased every book on the market that offers you an endless list of tips and techniques on how to be a better Christian. After so many years of "trying harder just one more time", I was stunned by the simplicity of Eldredge's message: Our heart is not wicked, it is good. God's intentions toward us is not to punish or elicit obedience, but to have a relationship with us. HE craves intimacy with us. There are 96 million men in this country, approximately 77 million believe they don't have what it takes, or that they don't measure up. This is a direct result of the wounding that occurs throughout our life. Only by inviting Christ into this area of woundedness can healing begin. Eldredge says once that happens, a man can start living from his heart and he frees himself from living a life of pretending to be someone he's not. (He calls this "posing")
Unknowingly, Eldredge has created a movement among Christian men in this country. His message resonates their desires to find the freedom and the life that Christ promises. I do believe men are wired to have a battle to fight, and adventure to live and a beauty to rescue. Most of the men I know have given up ever finding their heart, in fact, most don't even know they've lost it. Our society defines a man by what he owns, what he does, and what he knows. Eldredge says God created man to step up and engage as the leader of his family. He is to give his strength away to those who need it. A real man plays a vital role in the lives of his wife and children. A real man looks to God for his identity. And when he learns to hear (really hear) from God he will become a dangerous man for the Kingdom. There is a battle raging in this world that we cannot see, and we cannot fight for the hearts of others if we have not found ours. Eldredge has found his heart and shows us how to do likewise.
Rating:
Summary: Eldredge Hits Homerun with Wild At Heart
Review: It seems like I have purchased every book on the market that offers you an endless list of tips and techniques on how to be a better Christian. After so many years "trying harder just one more time", I was stunned by the simplicity of Eldredge's message: Our heart is not wicked, it is good. God's intentions toward us is not to punish or elicit obedience, but to have a relationship with us. HE craves intimacy with us. There are 96 million men in this country, approximately 77 million believe they don't have what it takes, or that they don't measure up. This is a direct result of the wounding that occurs throughout our life. Only by inviting Christ into this area of woundedness can healing begin. Eldredge says once that happens, a man can start living from his heart and he frees himself from living a life of pretending to be someone he's not. (He calls this "posing")
Unknowingly, Eldredge has created a movement among Christian men in this country. His message resonates their desires to find the freedom and the life that Christ promises. I do believe men are wired to have a battle to fight, and adventure to live and a beauty to rescue. Most of the men I know have given up ever finding their heart, in fact, most don't even know they've lost it. Our society defines a man by what he owns, what he does, and what he knows. Eldredge says God created man to step up and engage as the leader of his family. He is to give his strength away to those who need it. A real man plays a vital role in the lives of his wife and children. A real man looks to God for his identity. And when he learns to hear (really hear) from God he will become a dangerous man for the Kingdom. There is a battle raging in this world that we cannot see, and we cannot fight for the hearts of others if we have not found ours. Eldredge has found his heart and shows us how to do likewise.
Rating:
Summary: It could change your life
Review: Wild at Heart gets to the center of what men fear, need, and dream. Every man who is struggling to find out why life is so boring or meaningless or difficult should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Get it now.
Review: I loved Wild At Heart so much I went out and bought 10 copies to give away. Enough said. Essential reading. I also highly recommend it for men struggling with SSA or SGA.
Rating:
Summary: Lets see- Human wisdom + experience=Power? I dont think so-
Review: After formulating 3 life objectives/goals based upon human perspective and exprience, the author decides to try and incorporate some scripture- and movies (some R-rated) to make the point that we, as men, need to change. So where is the LORD in all this? Far away, unfortunately- authors other works -Sacred Romance, Waking the Dead are even more new age and experientially based. Pray for Mr. Eldredge!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Theme, But Could Be Better
Review: As I looked over the reviews of this book, I noted a real polarization: guys either loved or hated this book. Any book this polarizing, I thought, must at bare minimum be bold. And this is a bold book. On the positive side, the basic premise, that men need to embrace masculinity instead of apologizing for it, is great. It is true that many (unfortunately Eldredge says, "the church," which is tough to prove since he has not been in every church) churches do embrace a feminized Jesus and seem to push an agenda that feminizes men. As a pastor of 25 years, I have noted this tendency in many (perhaps most?) congregations (but I can honestly say that this has not been the case in the two churches I have pastored). Though common, this problem is not always present. Eldredge argues that men should feel free to be "wild at heart," and that a deep relationship with God and the security that comes from realizing one is truly a man is a key to a satisfying and meaningful life for a man. He recognizes the "wound" that men have, the importance of having a battle to fight and a beauty to rescue, themes dealt with about ten or (or more) years ago (by the likes of Gordon Dalbey, Robert Hicks, etc.); but his work is a current volume, and this material needs to re-circulate for the upcoming generations. On the negative side, however, this book is reactionary. It addresses all men as though they were of the same temperament, namely that of the author. Besides watching way too many movies, the author enjoys the great outdoors. But he has forgotten that God does not only bless the Esaus, but also the Jacobs. And some of us guys don't even like movies (sorry, but there is nothing masculine about having to be entertained visually). Many men have died for their country, saved lives, reared masculine sons and feminine daughters and been bold warriors for the kingdom on God and yet did not enjoy repelling or hunting. I fear we learn a lot about John Elderedge and about men LIKE him (and there are many,perhaps even a narrow majority, although I wonder) than men in general; those of us who love the great "indoors" are virtually ignored or relegated to a category (by default) as less than masculine (although I do love the outdoors, just not hunting or repelling; I am a hiker). The author is unusually weak in Bible interpretation, but he is no heretic. He does, however, point out that Adam stood silently alongside Eve while she ate of the fruit (he gives credit to, "The Silence of Adam," by Larry Crabb); on that interpretation, he is right on. And that is a key and crucial thought. He is weak in the interpretation department elsewhere throughout the book. Unfortunately, many of his points come from popular movies, great illustrations for the men who probably need the book most (those who live life vicariously through movies and TV). But again, a segment of us (who would rather play cards or take our wives dancing rather than tube out) were left out. The first half of the book disenchanted me; the second half was much better and worth the reading. His comments about spiritual warfare need contemplation. For men who have temperaments like Elderedge (the restless, deep feeling, and aggressive kind) or who have been stifled and intimidated by a feminized version of Christianity, this book is bold and radical enough to wake you out of your stupor. But it is not an "on the mark," response, but a reactionary (and overly emotional) one. If that's what floats your boat, you'll love it. If you are a bit more laid back (like myself and many other guys), you will not enjoy this book as much. Of course, if you are a passive wimp, you NEED this book, whether you will like it or not! Some other books I would recommend (as better) in this genre include Gordon Dalbey's, "Father and Son," Robert Hicks, "The Masculine Journey" (if you can find it; this is an excellent book), and Robert Lewis', "Raising A Modern Day Night" (on bringing up boys). To my way of thinking, these are less reactionary and right on the mark. So is this a good book or a bad one? It is certainly not a bad book. And though it is not truly Scripturally based, it is not heretical (just extra-scriptural). If you share common frustrations and experiences with John Elderege, you may find really enjoy it. For many guys, this would be good medicine; for others of us, it is at least thought provoking.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good...
Review: There's no other book like this in Christiandom and it's scripturally sound. Many men will benifit from reading this. Great men's group study material.
Rating:
Summary: A wild imagination that is seriously flawed at heart
Review: Detrimental to the spiritual health of your men, families, and church body! His introduction warns men about the church teaching them to be "nice guys" and other biblical characteristics that he sees as "paving the road to Hell" (p.xi). Then, those who don't agree with the truth he is teaching are "dense" (p.46) Oh, a great attitude and approach for ministry. Any man who takes his wild ideas to heart will believe God is not sovereign (p.30ff), man's deepest problem is not sin (p.60ff), he needs to save his sons from their mother because she will "emasculate" them (p.64ff), woman's core being is "seductive" (p.36), only the male is given dominion by God in Eden (p.48). Shall I go on? It is no surprise he hardly ever uses Scripture in his book because there isn't any to support his masculinity revelation, and he uses more Hollywood movies of "real men" to bolster his argument than the Bible (even the convict in A Perfect World is given as a good example). Those few passages he cites are misused (Gen. 1-3). His manner exposes that he thinks he is revealing some deep "secret" truth about men that has never been revealed before. I think that is spelled "Gnosticism" - Nothing new, just an old heresy that says what is clear in scripture is not the REAL truth. Is there good in the book? It can be found here and there in this pop psychology, but don't mistake this book as Christian. Those who endorse Wild at Heart in the videos must not have actually read the book. A wolf in sheep's clothing (Mat. 7:15), an ear tickler (2 Tim. 4:3-4)
Rating:
Summary: Has some potential
Review: My dad gave me a copy of this book because it touched him so deeply. I am not sure if it's a generational issue or a gender issue, but I wasn't as impressed. I've read most of Eldredge's works. Sacred Romance was pretty good but it seems that everything else has gone considerably down hill from there. I think his heart is probably true, however, his frail theological under girding causes some problems in the points he tries to make. Often in Eldgrede's works I find the disturbing sense that he is manipulating emotions to make his point. I am put off by flagrant emotionalism in place of philosophically well thought out arguments and feel this trend all too pervasive in Christian culture. This book might have a fighting chance if it had more head and less heart. I was offended by several of his statements about his wife (I thought they were very disrespectful) and in his generalizations about women. I notice that Eldredge quotes C.S. Lewis quite a bit in all of his works. It's one thing to recognize a true stallion, but an entirely different thing to emulate one. A writing professor once said to me: good poets borrow, great poets steal. If Eldgredge could really "steal" the concepts Lewis outlines in "The Abolition of Man" he might become a "great poet" some day.
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