Rating: 
Summary: Nails the problems, seriously blows the solutions
Review: If I were to write a book that was a parody of the Christian men's movement, I could do no better than to write "Wild at Heart". However, John Eldredge beat me to it.This is a sad book - sad in proving how far the Church has fallen from its roots. Francis Schaeffer has said that what you find in the world you will now find in the Church seven years later, and almost to the day, the Christian men's movement hit its stride about seven years after Bly's "Iron John". But even as the world has moved beyond Bly, we Christian men are still lugging his (now "sanctified") baggage around. "Wild at Heart" simply adds to the burden. By now, we are all familiar with the laments: feminism stole our destiny, our fathers are the cause of our problems, a real man is only truly fulfilled by lugging around a broadsword, and lastly, that we all think with our genitalia. Mix in an appropriate amount of psychobabble, some sprigs of Hemingway and Spillane, and a sprinkling of random Bible verses, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster. Christian men of a hundred years ago would in no ways recognize this book as being Christian, so egregious are the errors and doctrinal deficiencies. A couple cases in point: 1) The amount of eisogesis that occurs in this book is staggering. Eldredge reads the Bible through the eyes of William Wallace (of "Braveheart" fame) rather than through God's eyes. For example, Eldredge heartily advises his son to return pain for pain when the son is confronted by a bully, arguing that despite Jesus' admonitions to turn the other cheek, Jesus was a man's man, a carpenter who hung out with fishermen, therefore it is okay to return like for like. He quotes Jesus' driving the moneychangers out of the temple as a proof text. However, Eldredge totally forgets the entire Passion story, wherein Jesus would NOT defend himself physically against his attackers, and went so far as to not even defend himself verbally. The focus of Jesus' anger as in the temple story is not on his own person, but the person of the Father. The Father was wronged, therefore the anger and actions are justified. We are not to seek justice for ourselves, but for those outside of us. Remember Romans 8:36 - "As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'" Read the life (and death) story of any martyr and you will see the wrongheadedness of Eldredge's beliefs. 2) The worship of self, especially as embodied by the unholy alliance of psychology and Christianity, is paramount in this book. It is all about what can be done for me, how I can find fulfillment, find my life. This mentality runs exactly counter to Matthew 10:39 -"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Eldredge makes much of a "false life", but in the end the life he claims is true destroys his own arguments in a fit of circular logic. The very men he claims as heroes mostly lived in a time before pop psychology and "finding oneself" came to the fore. We can admire men like Lincoln, Wallace, and Washington for their strength, but do you think that Lincoln sat around moping about the fact that his dad treated him badly? Did he abandon his country because of personal tragedies, like the death of his children, so he could instead blabber to his shrink about his personal needs going unmet? Despite the fact that Eldredge dismisses "sucking it up", the truth is that real Christian men do suck it up. They know that life is greater than their own needs and wants, therefore they crucify the self in order to pursue the greater need. Eldredge laments that Christian men are bored. I contend that if those same men every truly tasted the fulness of God by dying to self, then the staggering nature of the greater need outside their own search for fulfillment would be made apparent to them and they would never know boredom again. Is Eldredge right in that men are hurting? Yes, he is. And to his credit (and good enough to rescue him from the dreaded "one star" rating), he nails most of the problems. His deficiency is in his answers to those problems. Unfortunately, he sees the world through a syncretistic lens that distorts his views. Because of this, "Wild at Heart" makes a caricature of everything it discusses. It poses a form of maleness and male Christianity that looks good on the surface, but is empty underneath. Read this book in the light of books like Edwards' "Religious Affections", Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship", and Schaeffer's "The Great Evangelical Disaster" to see it for what it is truly worth.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, easy read, but lacks depth
Review: Using analogy and scripture, John Eldredge sets out with a purpose of understanding man's wild heart - why we long for adventures, battles, and a beauty to rescue. The book is good, but not great. In the end I was left wanting to be a man, revved up on testosterone and eager to fight the good fight. Eldredge is a "guy's guy," and herein lies the fallacy in the book. The problem is that Eldredge fills the entire work with stories and clips from guy movies, including Braveheart, Perfect World, A River Runs through It, Indiana Jones, Jerry Maguire, Good Will Hunting, The Natural, Gladiator, and more. He uses the Tim "The Toolman" Taylor approach, grunting as page upon page is filled with quotes. In the end the book offers more fluff than it does Eldredge's ideas. In any event, I know many that love this book and there are many good points. Eldredge opens with man's desire. In every man there is a desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. Analogically, we are the "Tristan's" of Far and Away, adventure putting us to the test. I would argue this point - because I know some wimpy guys - but I found the observation true to myself. From here, there is a question that every man asks: can I come through again? Do I have what it takes? Eldredge observes, "Most of us are faking our way through life, fighting battles we know we can win." The middle of the book focuses on past wounds and relationships with women and fathers and is mediocre at best. It is the end of the book in which Eldredge provides his greatest analysis. After hammering out over and over the idea that man seeks adventure, Eldredge comes through with his best point. "Life is not a problem to be solved, it is an adventure to be lived. ...Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." The book is an enjoyable, quick read, but as stated above is repetitive and fluffy.
Rating: 
Summary: At the Heart of Men
Review: I had always wondered why I loved movies like Braveheart, Rudy, and Gladiator. Well according to Eldridge it is because the themes in these movies are built into my maculinity. The need for adventure, a beauty to rescue, a dream to follow, etc.. I found this book a refreshing look into men's hearts. I have read all the Promise Keepers books and really liked them. But, none had the impact on me that this book did. I have heard some talk of some theological odditys but frankly I think that comes from misunderstanding what Eldridge is saying. I would urge evey man (and every woman) to get this book, read it, and then read it again. Life is an adventure and there is no greater adventure than living in the purposes of God.
Rating:
Summary: John- You are right on target...and we are cheating our men.
Review: "Hey, John, come to my parish. I know a lot of men who need to hear you speak and need to read your book. Your book got my attention by the words on the back, "Walk into most churches..Without listening to what is said, late at what you find there. Most Christian men are bored." And you are so right. How have we done this to our men and boys? They've forgotten the real stories of faith and life and we have traded dangerous and powerful creativity for being "nice." You are right on target, John. I want every man in my parish to get this book."
Rating: 
Summary: Not wild about Wild at Heart
Review: John Eldredge wants us to believe that Jesus wants men to be like William Wallace in Braveheart. His idea, simply, is that men are warriors and Jesus' desire is for each of us to find our way back to that place- Doing battle, Going on Adventures and Winning a beauty. He offers primarily celluloid theology, substituting movie scripts for scripture and the actions of William Wallace, James Bond and others for the lessons of the Christ. He never offers to reconcile his thesis with the words from the sermon on the mount- that happy men are made from those who mourn, are meek and make peace. While his ideas about healing the wounds left on us by the past hold great merit, trying to find that healing in film plots instead of Christ's words falls far short of where today's Christian men need to be.
Rating:
Summary: ALL MEN should read this book especially DADS
Review: This little short book has changed my life. It is a new prism to view the Bible through. I could only digest this book a few pages at a time because of all the concepts and wisdom Mr. Eldredge brought to my attention. If you are a Father, this is must material for you. You will be able to form a godly blueprint for your child once you have digested the wisdom of this material. Anyone who has a son should take a little time in understanding the nature God has placed in that little boy and your role in raising him. It also covers in less detail, but perhaps more dire language the absolute importance of a Godly father in the raising of a young woman. You've seen the 1 star ratings for this book, many detail shocking behaviour in men who have read it. Perhaps you aren't prepared for this book.
To that I say Hogwash and SLOP! Perhaps this book is just the thing YOU need.
Rating:
Summary: A Ticket to Freedom
Review: This book is such a breath of fresh air. I've read enough tired and trite books aimed at men, books that attempt to encapsulate a theology that'll empower men to follow God. What they are missing, and what this book catches, is the true heart of a man and how it coincides with God's design for us. Along the way, Eldredge gives us insights into the motivations of the Christian woman and wife as well. I found myself laughing out loud, then coming close to tears at the vital truths exposed here. I read aloud portions to my wife. We discussed issues, and I was able to share frustrations I've had for years. With church. With our society. With the Christian view of the Really Nice Guy...who also happens to have no backbone, spiritually or socially, to deal with issues. Thank you, Mr Eldredge, for writing such a powerful and honest book. Thank you for giving us a ticket to freedom as Christian men.
Rating:
Summary: Wild At Heart
Review: Staright to the heart - what more can I say? One of the best boks I've ever read. Excellent writing that goes straight to the heart of what a man is (should) be. Handling some midlife issues right now, this book was just what I needed. I intend to read John's other works, and would recommend it to any man looking for an identity, whether he's lost it or never knew one to begin with. Doesn't give all the answers (no book could), but certainly points you in the right direction! Keep it coming John!
Rating:
Summary: A Gushing Well-Spring of Revival
Review: This is probably the best book I've ever read apart from God's Word. What a revival of my "heart" as a man! Elldridge hits so many nerves of what it means for a man to be masculine as God would have him be. This is a must read for every man - especially for fathers who are trying to train their boys in the ways of manhood, as well as for men who need revival in their search for direction. Every mother should read it too! I can't wait to read it again!!!
Rating:
Summary: Recovering true masculinity
Review: While it may not be necessary to add yet another review to this list of praise for Eldredge, this work warrants a word or two. The vast majority of modern men find themselves at one of two extremes. Some have become the overly macho man who defines himself in terms of those he has authority over. Others have become so emasculated in the name of niceness they no longer have the capability to lead and protect their families. Eldredge guides men on an adventure to remove these social mask to uncover the men we have been created in Christ to be. He calls men to recognize the pain that drives us to hide behind these masks and to accept that only our loving God can heal the damage to our soul. He calls men to a radical masculinity that can be found both in the darkness of a mountain forest and in the quietness of a nursery. He calls us to become the warriors, adventurers and lovers we all desire to be.
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