Rating: 
Summary: Wild about how it changed me.
Review: Wow what a wonderful revealing book. John has a real winner here. This book saved my life and saved my soul. In a fantastic way he reached inside of me and let me know it is okay to be a man and that I do not have to feel bad about it. It does not demean women in any way but show a refreshing look at how to "play the man". This was the first book I have read that addressed the issue of spiritual warfare and our place in the great plan of God. I have become a better friend, lover and protector of the woman I love because of the message in this book. Women buy it for your man and men buy to be a better man.
Rating: 
Summary: Discernment required - can't recommend
Review: When I first read this book, I thought Eldredge had some nice things to say about masculinity. His appeal to men is hard not to respond to at first. But upon closer examination the subtlety of Eldredge's error becomes clear as a big stumbling block to men - and at worst it degrades God into a needy, vulnerable God who took a big "risk" in making man, not knowing what the outcome would be. This risky out-of-control sense of creation (ignoring that sin entered the world) is what Eldredge calls "wildness" and urges men to live from their "heart" while totally ignoring scripture that warns that "the heart of man is desperately wicked." I thought I was supposed to live by the Spirit of God not my own deceptive heart. Yes, Mr. Eldredge, I'm a new creature in Christ, but that does not mean I can wildly go chasing my own whims thinking that I'm free to be independant from God now that I can be trusted since I have a new "genuine heart." Scripture tells us to live by the Spirit of God, not from our OWN heart. The Christian life is a life of freedom discovered through dependance on God, not a newly granted "wild" independance from Him. I think Eldredge's intentions are good and perhaps a discerning, mature reader can extract the good from the bad. But once you percieve the breadth and depth of the error here, how can a Christian in good conscience recommend such a book to a fellow believer? -especially one who is younger in their faith and less discerning? Remember Jesus' question "Can a thorn bush produce figs?" And a book that paints God as less than all-knowing, all-powerful and also blatently ignores the truth of sin and our dependance on God should be avoided. I truly wish this book did not have errors, it tries to address an important subject regarding men in church. But I must recommend that readers look elswhere.
Rating:
Summary: Worldly Wisdom, Not Biblical Truth
Review: First of all, be warned that this book will hook you. John Eldredge writes in a very persuasive manner. As a Christian reading this book, however, you must be very careful not to allow yourself to be led astray by what the Apostle Paul called "persuasive words of human wisdom" (1 Corinthians 2:4), especially when the words conflict with the truth of God's Word. Wild at Heart is wildly popular among Christian readers. John Eldredge's writing style, his appeal to men who down deep truly want to be men, and his use of emotionally powerful illustrations all combine to make the book engaging and quite gripping. If you are able to see through these facets of the book, which undoubtedly attract human interest, and if you are willing to honestly examine the book in light of biblical truth, you will find three MAJOR problems: 1) Eldredge consistently butchers Scripture, quoting it out of context and even editing one passage to suit the message of the book. 2) The central theme of the book, that men should "know and live from" their hearts, is not consistent with biblical teaching about the deceptive and unreliable nature of the human heart. 3) Eldredge portrays a very low, humanistic, and even heretical view of God. These problems are sufficient to render this book no safer than a glass of pure spring water with a few drops of arsenic in it. If you knew the arsenic was in the water, would you still drink it for the water? Would you give it to a thirsty friend? Despite its surface appeal, I cannot recommend this book. I've written a more complete review which you can find in Google under my name and the word "review."
Rating:
Summary: powerful
Review: The idea of reading this book, as a newly divorced single mom, almost repulsed me. Throw in the fact that my ex is who the recommendation came from, and let's just say I was not going to read it all. Then, my ex began to do interesting things that I could not understand, and, my curiosity grew. I bought the book, and literally could not put down. Each sentence compelled me to read on and a couple of hours later I was finished, wishing for more. I have begun other titles, since. But more amazingly this book, as I read each word, I began to understand what "connects" my ex and I so powerfully. From our magical beginning to our ultmate unraveling. It's all explained through the design of men and women at our truest forms of self. I also had bright, shining insights into other relationships...not only men and women romantically, but friends, children, parents. Of course, this is geared for men, but I believe any thinking women can absorb and also be thrilled by the outcome...that we are designed to live the deepest desires of our hearts...the dreams, fairy tales, and all of it. When we settle for less, we become tired, bored, unenthusiastic and can lean toward very negative pattern development. This book is definately for the person wondering why even though they appear to have it all, wonders why they do not actually feel happy and full with life. If you are looking for a new perspective to energize your mind, heart and soul, this is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: How did he know my heart so well?
Review: I read the first chapter and could not stop. Eldridge knows my heart and sees that the strength is being sapped out of it by the expectations of others. Find a battle worth fighting. Seek an adventure worth living. Win the beauty worth having (probably the beauty you already have). Three days after I read a borrowed copy, I bought one for me to re-read and four to give to friends. Just read the first chapter and see if he speaks to your heart.
Rating:
Summary: a new heart
Review: All I can say is this book helped save my marriage and my life.
Rating:
Summary: Everything is your father's fault
Review: This book was recommended to me by several people, but I found it very hard to believe/accept. I read the book as part of a men's study group - most of the men in the group were in their 40s or 50s, and seemed to be able to identify with the book much better (I'm in my 20s). Maybe you have to go through a mid-life crisis before you can understand everything he's talking about... Eldredge, like many psychologist, blame any problems in your relationships, career, faith, family, etc. onto the "wound" that your father gave you as a child. He insists that all of us have a wound: a time when our father insulted us, let us down, or crushed us. I thought about this for weeks on end, and just couldn't put my finger on any wound that my father gave me. Eldredge peddles his psychological view of father-son relationships under the cover of Christian nonfiction, but rarely references the Bible or Biblical teachings (and when he does, it's often out of context). This one's going back on Amazon marketplace.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book but....
Review: It's obviously a great book but I would also recommend Faith Bishop's "Secret Babylon: Enemy of the Spirit". That book has it all, suspense, romance, vivid imagery and engaging dialogue.
Rating: 
Summary: All Men are wounded...
Review: ... At some point in their lives.The author confessess that he was deeply wounded "Between Years 8 and 10"How he doesn`t say. The book says mostmen turn to women to heal their wounds. Women can`t heal our wounds; forthey carry wounds as well. In fact If you seen a "chick flick"most women deal with their wounds by,Intentionally infilicting wounds on men. Only GOD can heal our wounds!
Rating:
Summary: Christianizing Worldy Manhood
Review: I have read the series of books by Eldredge and they are though-provoking. I agree with one of the basic premises of the book- that men are told to be a certain way by our society, and what we are told is destructive to the way God has wired us. This is not anything new. I agree with that basic point. The world tells us how not to be Christians every hour and minute of the day. The biblical support, however, is seriously absent. We truly don't need a Christian Dr. Phil. The problem is that well-meaning, good intentioned, Jesus-professing Christians continue to look to the world (plus a little scripture) for solutions. Let me type something radical- I think the solution resides in God's word, not in adventure, hobbies, movies, or Promise Keepers. Substitute crampons and an ice axe for the Bible and prayer. Eldredge does what many popular authors do today- they come from psychology or worldly literature and put a Christian twist on it. Wild at Heart follows many of the same principles from a pop psych book by Robert Bly called Iron John. He takes themes from that book. Iron John is a fairy tale story of how a real man should escape the bonds of feminism. Wild at Heart is a fairy tale book on biblical manhood. At the end of the day, no one is any more Wild at Heart from secondary literature. The solution is not a trip to REI and ice climbing. Kayaking will not transform your heart. It seems many so-called Christian men are afraid and too lazy to perform exegesis (getting ideas out of Scripture) and have true Bible study. I am conviced this is why books which compare and contrast very secular characters are welcomed and books which exegete and talk about biblical manhood are shunned. (see John Piper and Biblical Manhood for the real story) Eisegesis is the name of the game. I wish someone would teach why the apostle Paul was wild at heart. He was focused. He was not confused about the truth. He stood for something eternal. He sang hymns from jail. He did not waste his time on trivial recreation. He didn't go rafting or rock climbing- he reasoned in the synagogues and put his life on the line for Jesus Christ. Now that's real adventure.
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