Wild Man's Journey: Reflections on Male Spirituality

Rating:
Summary: Wild Man's Journey to Wisdom
Review: I have been going through life-changing circumstances and this book speaks to me in a way that gives me understanding about myself as a man and has me take responsibility for my life as a human being and a spiritual being. I first read the book over five years ago and it was interesting. Now that I am on a journey for a deeper understanding of myself, I happened to come across the book again and re-read it. My listening of this book is so much different now than before and it challenges me to continue the journey to be a man of wisdom in my life and make a difference with the people I meet. This book is a treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Nice alternative
Review: In a politically correct form, yet sensitive to the utmost for today's beaten up males, Richard Rohr has a way of reaching the group most out of touch with their emotions and explains to them why they feel the way they do- often from a scriptual perspective. It made me feel good about being a man, and let me know that it's ok to be strong and sensitive at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: The 60's are over dude
Review: The book has moments of clarity then it will wander off. Uses sexually charged terms like androgeny, feminine side, masculine side which are totally unnecessary. I think the dude has wandered a little too far into eastern mystisism for his own good. It makes me wonder if he really is a Christian, especially when he is promoting Mary worship. Mary should be venerated not worshipped.

Rating:
Summary: The 60's are over dude
Review: The book has moments of clarity then it will wander off. Uses sexually charged terms like androgeny, feminine side, masculine side which are totally unnecessary. I think the dude has wandered a little too far into eastern mystisism for his own good. It makes me wonder if he really is a Christian, especially when he is promoting Mary worship. Mary should be venerated not worshipped.

Rating:
Summary: Well Written But Needs Work
Review: This is a beautifully written book. It is very readable. If these two men speak like they write, both must be dynamic preachers, public speakers, and workshop facilitators.

The strongest parts of The Wild Man's Journey are the middle or core chapters. Examples here include: The Two Journeys, Man the Maker, and The Father Wound.

Does the book need work? Yes. Rohr's lengthy "Introduction to the Revised Edition" is not necessary. Much of the information he has included there should either be interjected into the text of other chapters or perhaps placed in an "About the Authors" section at the end of the book. Like a sermon or public speech, the introductory text of a book has to be hard-hitting and to the point to grab the attention of the audience (mainly male readers). An early chapter on John the Baptist (probably the most famous of the biblical wild men) would have been very appropriate for this book as well.

I also believe that the authors overdo "the feminine side" of male spirituality. What they interpret as feminine attributes could easily be interpreted by others (including developmental psychologists)as very masculine, fatherly traits.

This book is a good primer on male spirituality. However, there are other books available that go beyond what Rohr and Martos have written about. I would be interested in finding out just how much laity input was involved in the writing and editing of this book. Too much emphasis seems to have been placed on the viewpoint of the clergy.

Rating:
Summary: Well Written But Needs Work
Review: This is a beautifully written book. It is very readable. If these two men speak like they write, both must be dynamic preachers, public speakers, and workshop facilitators.

The strongest parts of The Wild Man's Journey are the middle or core chapters. Examples here include: The Two Journeys, Man the Maker, and The Father Wound.

Does the book need work? Yes. Rohr's lengthy "Introduction to the Revised Edition" is not necessary. Much of the information he has included there should either be interjected into the text of other chapters or perhaps placed in an "About the Authors" section at the end of the book. Like a sermon or public speech, the introductory text of a book has to be hard-hitting and to the point to grab the attention of the audience (mainly male readers). An early chapter on John the Baptist (probably the most famous of the biblical wild men) would have been very appropriate for this book as well.

I also believe that the authors overdo "the feminine side" of male spirituality. What they interpret as feminine attributes could easily be interpreted by others (including developmental psychologists)as very masculine, fatherly traits.

This book is a good primer on male spirituality. However, there are other books available that go beyond what Rohr and Martos have written about. I would be interested in finding out just how much laity input was involved in the writing and editing of this book. Too much emphasis seems to have been placed on the viewpoint of the clergy.