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: An Essential Read For Men...and Women
Review: Following closely on the heels of his magnificent *Journey of Desire*, John Eldredge has written the "men's book" of the ages. In addition, female readers will not only gain insight into masculinity but will discover much about themselves and how God - and their men - play a role in their own personal dramas. Much will be said and written about this book, but one aspect that merits particular emphasis is Eldredge's uncanny ability to discern from the play of children the immense "Story" that God has placed humanity in - a story filled with heroes and villains, damsels in distress, sacrifice, and a happily everafter. The author demonstrates to the reader how little boys and girls innately understand the power of (and need for) a "battle to be fought, an adventure to be experienced, and a Beauty to be won." Such is the life at the heart of the Christian gospel. After all, Jesus himself said regarding children, "of such is the kingdom of heaven." Another key tenant of the book is that men and women must go to God individually, and not to each other, to gain validation. Eldredge stresses that true masculinity is "bestowed" from father to son. He poignantly explains, too, how Christ can take up the "initiation" of a wounded man into the fulness of masculinity (a special highlight is his inclusion of Ezra Pound's forgotten poem "The Goodly Frere", which offers an engagingly different picture of Jesus). Along the way Eldredge summarily debunks the "precept and principle" philosophies (which includes Promise Keepers) that have unwittingly robbed the Christian faith of its vitality. No "twelve steps" here - the focus is on life, not formulas. Filled with humor and remarkable frankess, this is a heart-warming challenge to join God in a wild, gut-wrenching, but ultimately triumphant battle.
Rating: 
Summary: Has its moments, but mostly empty
Review: As much as John Eldridge holds himself out to be an example of "wild Christian men" I found myself not liking him very much at all. In one key passage, he describes wanting to walk out on his own wedding. The purpose of the passage is to illustrate (unconvincingly) that he was under the influence of Satan and therefore was able to call on Christ to make his wife seem appealing again. Satan turns men into creeps, Jesus pulls them out. That's the underlying theme of the book, and in essence that's probably a truthful statement. But why oh why does Eldridge keep holding himself up as a role model when he's so obviously not an admirable character? Wild At Heart could just as easily be titled, "My Fantasy Life as a Burly Film Character." Towards the end he even describes his wife gifting him with a sword, along with a message describing him as a Braveheart. So the man went to grad school on someone else's dime and became a counselor... yay. That's hardly wild. The book does have some inspirational quotes, but mostly it's just phoney self-inflation. Eldridge comes across as the "poser" he so often denigrates in the text. Read it, but only with a critical eye.
Rating: 
Summary: Mostly wonderful moments...
Review: After reading Anita Diamant's The Red Tent, my friends thought I needed to read a "man book," so I was pointed in the direction of Eldredge's Wild At Heart. Fully expecting to be insulted by his macho-tough-guy style, I was glad to find that, for the most part, I agreed with what he had to say. My male friends seem to say that Eldredge is right on in what he says about the masculine heart, and I applaud his stand-up attitude in taking responsibility for the health of his marriage and his relationships with his children. But I do think that he tends to limit himself when he describes the longings of men and women. It's a little too rigid at times. Aside from the chapters on gender, the sections that shone brightest for me were towards the end of the book, discussing vocation and calling. As I sift through my own confusion about what I should be doing with the rest of my life, Eldredge reminds me that my quest for fulfillment and success must first begin before the face of God, as I ask Him to reveal my true created nature. This book marks a major spiritual turning point for me as I recognize and accept some of the gifts I've been given and can now step forward in faith, unafraid of what others may think or say. Eldredge's style is highly engaging and thoroughly enjoyable to read. He makes ideas applicable and accessible by using many examples from popular media - music, movies, literature, etc. This is a great book to read and discuss as a group.
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.
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