Rating: 
Summary: Nothing better on manhood!
Review: Eldredge is a superb writer, as his first two books attest to. This is his best so far. There's is nothing better in print when it comes to understanding what it means to be a man. Be ready to be challenged, surprised, prodded, and messed with. He has shattered my paradigm of what it means to be a man. He will shatter yours too. The best line is something to the effect that most people have an image of Jesus as Mr. Rogers with a beard. Thanks (John) for reminding us men of who were really are and how God designed us.
Rating: 
Summary: Thoroughly Unimpressed
Review: I read this book for a Men's Retreat based upon the concept presented in "Wild at Heart": rediscovering our masculinity and finding healing for our "father-wound." What I found instead was a jumble of pop-psychology and shallow theology. The greater portion of the theological content of the book came from a single verse: "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name" (Exodus 15:3). The better part of the book is based upon the assumption that each man recieved some deep injury in adolescence from a male role-model (usually the father). This "wound" injured the masculine ("wild") spirit of us all and resulted in a life entirely focused on trying to gain the approval of the father (that is, to heal the "wound" by accomplishing what the wound made him feel could not be accomplished). Having thus established this psychological foundation, John Eldredge attempts to draw God into the picture by proposing that God (as the perfect Father) is the one who can heal the father-wound once and for all. This paternal psychology is all very lovely and noble, but it really has no place posing as theology. I, for one, found no point of identification with the idea of the father-wound because my father was a supportive, loving, humble and godly man. Many at the retreat felt this way also. While this book may have its benefits for those with strained father-son relationships, I would not recommend it to anyone else. For those seeking a closer relationship with God I would recommend The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer (quoted by Eldredge in this very book).
Rating:
Summary: Revealing and Encouraging
Review: I think I can count on one hand the books I've actually read from front to back, literally. I've been able to read this book twice, once for myself and once with a Bible study. As far as the superficial goes, it's a real easy read.
But the book also dives into some really great content and doesn't put the gloves on to do it. If you're a guy who is questioning what God expects of him as a man or wondering why you don't feel you are reaching or achieveing everything God has for you, or if you're a woman who sincerely wants to know why guys are the way we are, read this book. It will blow your mind. For the most part I'd say it's extremely Biblically sound and very honest. It will definitely cause you to reexamine your life and priorities and restore your confidence in the new man Christ has made you.
The only remotely negative thing I could say is that Eldredge spends chapters upon chapters telling us what the problem is and where it comes from and maybe a chapter and a half providing a solution. Even then, read this book. It'll answer more questions than you'd ever expect.
There's a reason why there's so much hype. Find out why.
Rating: 
Summary: Wild Theology, Civilized Application
Review: Wild at Heart has a great premise: The church needs more men. For the most part, I agree with this book, but some of the theological stances of the author are simply not Biblical, from the idea that "God takes chances..He is a wild man!" to "The human heart is not inherently wicked". Albeit, these are paraphrases from the book, but the ideas remain. Nevertheless, I still recommend this book with those theological caveats, as most of what Mr. Eldredge says is worth a thought by the modern Christian man.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Info Every Man Should Know
Review: I have to admit that I wasn't as fascinated with this book when I first picked it up more than three years ago. However, our church has used Wild At Heart and accompanying videos during our last two annual men's retreats. When I heard John present his message and, more importantly, saw the reaction from a group of men, I was quite impressed. John clearly reveals the God-given desires we have for adventure, risk, and rescuing the beauties in our lives. These truths opened the minds and hearts of many men in our church. For some, I could say it was even life changing. I would highly recommend this book. It leaves you with a few questions and has a few gaps but then a good book should leave you thinking and wanting more.
Gene Jennings, Author of Timely Words
Rating:
Summary: Out of 1000+ books, the only one I've read 5 times
Review: There are many things I could say about this book, much of which has already been said under other reviews. What I can say is this: out of the 1000+ books in my personal library, none except the Bible I have read five times, except Wild At Heart. I have read it and the accompanying Field Manual, been to John's weekend conference in Colorado, and taught the DVD series with a group of men. It's not a perfect book, John's diminished view of God's sovereignity is way off, but its flaws do not detract from the power of the message and how God has used this book in the life of me and my friends.
Rating:
Summary: A better book
Review: Read David Deida's "The way of the Superior Man", if you would like a true representation of what a man is all about. Granted, this is not a "Christian" book, but you can apply you're own religion to his teachings. His writing is poetic and brutally honest. Warning: he integrates man's sexual desires into his teachings, but teaches men to use that energy in a positive way. It's more of a buddhist approach, but his practices could be used for any religion.
Rating:
Summary: Search for an Active Church
Review: Man is in desperate need of a book that will allow them to express their unique abilities. This book makes an excellent effort to do just that. It emphasizes man's basic desire to be adventurous, and to have a real purpose in life. What it lacked were ideas on how to be a kind and considerate person while expressing oneself. Eldredge touched on the fact that man wants adventure, but he failed to reconcile it with the idea of compassion and the enjoyment of peace and beauty. What Christian youth need is a way to be kind and loving, while being adventurous. This book fails to reconcile those ideas.
Eldredge's ideas on church are excellent as he challenged the over-organization of church today. The idea of church with a set order of events and no real heart connection has become a huge problem today. Youth have rejected the notion of church all over the world for its stuffy environment and rules. I read an article about Eldredge in Christianity Today, that attacked him for leaving his congregation for a year. His reason for leaving was that he might come to enjoy something that for many Christians is a heartless activity that involves no emotional connection. I applaud Eldredge in his attempt to step out of the box and help Christians see that life is not all about rules. It's about having a real relationship with God, a fact far to often overlooked. Read Galatians 3:23-25 and see what you think.
Rating: 
Summary: appears rather biased...don't you think?
Review: Apparently the author seems to believe that all men are strictly heterosexual too.......you really want a way to "find" yourself? Sorry guys, finding your inner beast does not require you to dance around a campfire with the talking stick while dressed in animal skins.......knock the chip off your shoulder and practice some common sense.....and that, I can assure you, is truly what's in short supply in this country right now.
Rating:
Summary: Fight for your Heart to win it back.
Review: I was born in africa and lived their for 21 years. People that have not been in the wild may struggle to identify that adventure spirit that is within themselves. For me it was no problem. Living in densely populated Amsterdam I did not realise how my heart longed for a way to express itself. To roam free and just be the way I was made.
This is a tough subject. We are taught by various sources of what it means to be a man. This is worth more that one read so buy the audio CD. And do give a copy to friends and family members (men and women).
My last recommendation is to read the "The Journey of Desire" also by John Eldredge.
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