Rating: 
Summary: Get it now.
Review: I loved Wild At Heart so much I went out and bought 10 copies to give away. Enough said. Essential reading.I also highly recommend it for men struggling with SSA or SGA.
Rating: 
Summary: Lets see- Human wisdom + experience=Power? I dont think so-
Review: After formulating 3 life objectives/goals based upon human perspective and exprience, the author decides to try and incorporate some scripture- and movies (some R-rated) to make the point that we, as men, need to change. So where is the LORD in all this? Far away, unfortunately- authors other works -Sacred Romance, Waking the Dead are even more new age and experientially based. Pray for Mr. Eldredge!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Theme, But Could Be Better
Review: As I looked over the reviews of this book, I noted a real polarization: guys either loved or hated this book. Any book this polarizing, I thought, must at bare minimum be bold. And this is a bold book. On the positive side, the basic premise, that men need to embrace masculinity instead of apologizing for it, is great. It is true that many (unfortunately Eldredge says, "the church," which is tough to prove since he has not been in every church) churches do embrace a feminized Jesus and seem to push an agenda that feminizes men. As a pastor of 25 years, I have noted this tendency in many (perhaps most?) congregations (but I can honestly say that this has not been the case in the two churches I have pastored). Though common, this problem is not always present. Eldredge argues that men should feel free to be "wild at heart," and that a deep relationship with God and the security that comes from realizing one is truly a man is a key to a satisfying and meaningful life for a man. He recognizes the "wound" that men have, the importance of having a battle to fight and a beauty to rescue, themes dealt with about ten or (or more) years ago (by the likes of Gordon Dalbey, Robert Hicks, etc.); but his work is a current volume, and this material needs to re-circulate for the upcoming generations. On the negative side, however, this book is reactionary. It addresses all men as though they were of the same temperament, namely that of the author. Besides watching way too many movies, the author enjoys the great outdoors. But he has forgotten that God does not only bless the Esaus, but also the Jacobs. And some of us guys don't even like movies (sorry, but there is nothing masculine about having to be entertained visually). Many men have died for their country, saved lives, reared masculine sons and feminine daughters and been bold warriors for the kingdom on God and yet did not enjoy repelling or hunting. I fear we learn a lot about John Elderedge and about men LIKE him (and there are many,perhaps even a narrow majority, although I wonder) than men in general; those of us who love the great "indoors" are virtually ignored or relegated to a category (by default) as less than masculine (although I do love the outdoors, just not hunting or repelling; I am a hiker). The author is unusually weak in Bible interpretation, but he is no heretic. He does, however, point out that Adam stood silently alongside Eve while she ate of the fruit (he gives credit to, "The Silence of Adam," by Larry Crabb); on that interpretation, he is right on. And that is a key and crucial thought. He is weak in the interpretation department elsewhere throughout the book. Unfortunately, many of his points come from popular movies, great illustrations for the men who probably need the book most (those who live life vicariously through movies and TV). But again, a segment of us (who would rather play cards or take our wives dancing rather than tube out) were left out. The first half of the book disenchanted me; the second half was much better and worth the reading. His comments about spiritual warfare need contemplation. For men who have temperaments like Elderedge (the restless, deep feeling, and aggressive kind) or who have been stifled and intimidated by a feminized version of Christianity, this book is bold and radical enough to wake you out of your stupor. But it is not an "on the mark," response, but a reactionary (and overly emotional) one. If that's what floats your boat, you'll love it. If you are a bit more laid back (like myself and many other guys), you will not enjoy this book as much. Of course, if you are a passive wimp, you NEED this book, whether you will like it or not! Some other books I would recommend (as better) in this genre include Gordon Dalbey's, "Father and Son," Robert Hicks, "The Masculine Journey" (if you can find it; this is an excellent book), and Robert Lewis', "Raising A Modern Day Night" (on bringing up boys). To my way of thinking, these are less reactionary and right on the mark. So is this a good book or a bad one? It is certainly not a bad book. And though it is not truly Scripturally based, it is not heretical (just extra-scriptural). If you share common frustrations and experiences with John Elderege, you may find really enjoy it. For many guys, this would be good medicine; for others of us, it is at least thought provoking.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good...
Review: There's no other book like this in Christiandom and it's scripturally sound. Many men will benifit from reading this. Great men's group study material.
Rating:
Summary: A wild imagination that is seriously flawed at heart
Review: Detrimental to the spiritual health of your men, families, and church body! His introduction warns men about the church teaching them to be "nice guys" and other biblical characteristics that he sees as "paving the road to Hell" (p.xi). Then, those who don't agree with the truth he is teaching are "dense" (p.46) Oh, a great attitude and approach for ministry. Any man who takes his wild ideas to heart will believe God is not sovereign (p.30ff), man's deepest problem is not sin (p.60ff), he needs to save his sons from their mother because she will "emasculate" them (p.64ff), woman's core being is "seductive" (p.36), only the male is given dominion by God in Eden (p.48). Shall I go on? It is no surprise he hardly ever uses Scripture in his book because there isn't any to support his masculinity revelation, and he uses more Hollywood movies of "real men" to bolster his argument than the Bible (even the convict in A Perfect World is given as a good example). Those few passages he cites are misused (Gen. 1-3). His manner exposes that he thinks he is revealing some deep "secret" truth about men that has never been revealed before. I think that is spelled "Gnosticism" - Nothing new, just an old heresy that says what is clear in scripture is not the REAL truth. Is there good in the book? It can be found here and there in this pop psychology, but don't mistake this book as Christian. Those who endorse Wild at Heart in the videos must not have actually read the book. A wolf in sheep's clothing (Mat. 7:15), an ear tickler (2 Tim. 4:3-4)
Rating:
Summary: Has some potential
Review: My dad gave me a copy of this book because it touched him so deeply. I am not sure if it's a generational issue or a gender issue, but I wasn't as impressed. I've read most of Eldredge's works. Sacred Romance was pretty good but it seems that everything else has gone considerably down hill from there. I think his heart is probably true, however, his frail theological under girding causes some problems in the points he tries to make. Often in Eldgrede's works I find the disturbing sense that he is manipulating emotions to make his point. I am put off by flagrant emotionalism in place of philosophically well thought out arguments and feel this trend all too pervasive in Christian culture. This book might have a fighting chance if it had more head and less heart. I was offended by several of his statements about his wife (I thought they were very disrespectful) and in his generalizations about women. I notice that Eldredge quotes C.S. Lewis quite a bit in all of his works. It's one thing to recognize a true stallion, but an entirely different thing to emulate one. A writing professor once said to me: good poets borrow, great poets steal. If Eldgredge could really "steal" the concepts Lewis outlines in "The Abolition of Man" he might become a "great poet" some day.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Since this book has already been picked apart by what can only be biblical theologians in the past reviews, there is only a few things that I care to say; some of which have either directly or more/less already been said.
That said, let me say:
If you are a man that loves Christ as much as you know how and yet still has an empty longing and/or frustration in your heart then this book is for you.
If you are serious about becoming real with yourself and with your lord, Jesus Christ, then this book is for you.
If you are struggling with thing such as anger, violent tendencies, pornography, sexual perversions, alcohol addictions, etc., then this book is for you too as you will begin to understand the root of such problems.
I have been saved over ten years and I have struggled with a lot of problems and ups and downs. It has been my hearts earnest desire to love and please God. If you can forgive what may sound boastful; I have heard all the preaching on this and that, how to be, how not to be, what to do, what not to do, this method, that method, this program, that program. I have heard the charismatic belief. I have heard the fundamentalist belief; I think I have just about heard it all, and frankly, I have been SICK of it. Though much of it was necessary to bring me to the place I am today, this book is just what the doctor ordered for my soul. For the first time in I don't know how long, I feel alive again. I feel free.
I have read the reviews of this book that tried to pick it apart. I appreciate the concern as we all must be careful not to follow every wind of doctrine that comes along. After all, the enemy loves nothing more than to pull people away from Christ. But, that being said, to speak poorly of this book says that you miss its entire meaning and heart. I am sorry for anyone that misses the message in this book.
No, this book is probably not advisable for a brand new Christian as it may give them a lot of false ideas. It is written to a somewhat seasoned Christian audience. Why?
Because to me this book is the bridge to an enormous gap in the life of many Christian men. It will take you from service and slave-ship to the Lord Jesus Christ (which is a necessary part of growth), into being a son. It will take a man that is ready from (doing to being), as it will set you free to serve the living Christ with love and passion. For me, it helped me to see deep into soul and take that very step. I pray it does for you as well. I would also recommend it for women - trust me. Bravo John !!! Thanks!!!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Books I've Ever Read
Review: All right, Wild at Heart was written for men. But I would recommend it without hesitation to any woman.
This isn't really a book about marriage or dating, but of all the books I have read on marriage and dating, this far exceeds them all. It goes beyond the how-to and the surface stuff, and explores, quite simply, the image of God, and how that has been corrupted by the world and can be restored by the One who created it in the first place. It goes beyond the stereotypical gender roles and explores the core desires in every heart.
I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone, man or woman, who is ready for a life-changing adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Get to the central point
Review: During the initial chapters of this book I rolled my eyes and thought, Oh brother, how sexist. I am glad I didn't give up. Eldredge is not very careful with some of his terminology and that can present a real problem for people who are not mature in their understanding of Christianity or who are merely witch hunting.
I have read a lot of the reviews on this book and I'd like to add a few comments rather than repeat what's been said. This book is certainly no comprehensive guide to the Christain faith or to understanding the nature of God. Not at all. Those of you who evaluated it that way were in error. Elderedge wrote the book with a christian audience in mind--specifically the average, modern Christain guy. The cental point of the book, as I experienced it, was to "take it to the Father" not to women, or work, (success or money) or sports bravado, or all the other false gods we (and in this case--specifically men) construct that, in the end, never satisfy. The book is about men finding their heavenly father and their true selves in Christ--not settling for politically correct "niceness" which is a distortion of what it means to be a christian man. Eldredge could have spent more time on defining what it means to be a godly man, but haven't those books already been written?
I found the book to be very helpful (from a woman's perspective) in understanding men. It can be interpreted as sexist if disected in parts and taken out of context.
I found the reviewers who asserted that this book would be helpful only to messed up men like Eldredge to be offensive and probably speak a lot about the authors of those reviews. In the world I live in Christains have the same 50% or more divorce rate as non christians, many christian men are having affairs and have very serious problems with pornography and sexual dissatisfaction in their marriages. Eldredge addresses these topics honestly and also shares what millions of men relate to everywhere in the world: lack of intimacy and right relationship with their earthly fathers.
As a teacher and counselor for many years, I have found that the majority of fathers these days are frustrated and confused in their roles (as husbands too). If you happen to live in a protected bubble -- geographically or socially, or you had a very ideal life, perhaps you won't relate to this book personally. Eldredge has an honest writing style and is no more "messed up" (as some reviewers stated) than perhaps David in the Bible was ---a man after God's heart who struggled with many similar emotions.
The book very much helped me to have a more accepting heart for my husband--and to appreciate and celebrate his manhood (the differences) rather than try to fight against it. It is not true for everyone everywhere, but Eldredge makes the point that many christian men have lost a sense of who they are in Christ and have settled for being "nice guys", afraid to offend or make waves and, often, stuffing their feelings and desires until sickness emerges in the form of addictions, depression, affairs and disallusionment. (Or letting, perhaps, a wife's obsession with what can become for her the false gods of safety and orderliness dictate how he lives and raises their children). This book is about freedom in Christ, but without a do these 3 steps or that 5 steps formula or a reposting of the 99 theses(good grief, does every book HAVE to do that?) I totally disagree with the reviews that say Eldredge advocates for men to behave in ways that are offensive to God. You missed the principle message and focused on the individual words. Eldredge paints the "real man" as one who is in communion on a heart level with God himself as his heavenly father--not a machismo figure or a milk toast, politically correct, man pleaser.
I say, thank you, Eldredge, for helping me to appreciate the "otherness" of my husband and a lot of other "real men" out there--and for pointing men back to their heavenly fathers in a more personal way. You are a brave heart for writing such a controversial book!
Rating:
Summary: James Bond "theology".
Review: (A highly questionable, although interesting, 2.5 stars). I've re-written this review several times. The problem -- the challenge -- is to resist being overly caught up in what is either quite intriguing or what is very dubious in this volume. On many points, Eldredge's arguments in "Wild at Heart" powerfully state self-evident truths which are almost universally overlooked. Unfortunately, in terms of logic, philosophy of biblical exegesis and theological integrity, the author does not only fall short, he constructs a mere idol. Yes, the cultural trends of the past century have emasculated the human adult male to the general detriment of all. Yes, political correctness, pop culture, pseudo-science, burgeoning "civilization" and perhaps the Christian community have all contributed to the death of the masculine soul. If it were dispassionately and carefully argued, this should provide an important issue for close examination. I certainly don't think that John Eldredge is dispassionate, nor is he as careful as a rigorous honesty should demand. (I hope I am not being "holier than thou" here, passion can have the effect of making us all less than completely truthful). The author's focus is too given to forcing God into a human image. The citation of biblical texts is more than a bit contrived (some would say "twisted"). The version of "God" that emerges is a man-oid of "danger", even a bloody warmonger. Eldredge says that a thrill-seeking God took a big "risk" in granting freedom to created beings. Theologians, whom the author takes condescending swipes at, must note that this statement immediately begs the question(s): could an omnibenevolent God (Eldredge accepts, in fact argues, that God is good) have created automatons (mindless 'minds'), and in being Himself must God be seen as taking a risk? One sees many serious problems with the author's assertion, no matter how poetically stated. Is Divine intent reflected in concepts arising from the fleshly desires of humans? Isaiah 55:8-9 clearly records God's answer as an unambiguous "NO". Eldredge insists "yes" (it's his central premise), which sounds strangely like Nietzsche's argument against God's existence! The beliefs of many atheists will be affirmed in Eldredge's careless, anthropomorphous "theology". The strengths of the book cannot overcome such serious theological errors. On a positive note, the book may facilitate a psychological catharsis for some men and may be particularly valuable to women who would like to know what, exactly, men are; why our age is mired in masculine malfunction; and how she might have a more healthy and rewarding relationship with the men in her life. But don't overlook what is simply wrong with certain of the author's arguments. The author describes encountering men heavily armed with guns, machetes and ammo belts in an Alaskan wilderness -- and feeling embarrassingly under-armed in the presence of such obviously God-like men! He plucks "support" from the Bible but often does so misleadingly, as he does with other sources as well. He quotes Thoreau, for example, such that the reader might think Thoreau would support his (Eldredge's) wild man of violence, danger, and battle. Thoreau, of course, was one of history's most noted pacifists. Muir, the consummate man in wilderness, went to Canada to avoid war and later spent extended periods of time alone in grizzly country "armed" only with a clear mind, a fascination with God's ways, and a coat pocket pre-loaded with -- biscuits! Presumably he wasn't quite Godly enough for serious firearms.
The apostle Paul said, "what counts is a new creation." Eldredge says what counts is being true to a childhood vision of maleness. Paul said that upon become a man he "put away" childish thinking. Eldredge says man is meant to do "violence", is meant to be "dangerous", must have a "battle to fight". Solomon said that wisdom is to be preferred above weaponry and/or a "battle to fight." Whether or not a man is suited to, or desirous of, "violence" and "danger" is not the important issue in a Christian understanding. Christ invites all, men and women, "learn from me, for I am gentle and humble." These words should not be re-cast in conformity to one's fleshly desires. Solomon and Paul say that man's material desires are simply "death." The author has damaged an important thesis by recklessly overstating his case (something not uncommon, I've been known to do the same). So why my three-star rating (actually 2.5)? The immediate answer is that, contrary to one of the author's premises, my God does indeed ask me to be nice -- a request in which I never cease to find otherworldly wisdom too deep for human arguments. Meditate on Galatians 5:22-25.
My "in-a-nutshell" summary: Man - good. Woman - good. Difference - good. Adventure - good. Wildness and wilderness - both good. God - infinitely good. Inventing a convenient version of "God" - not good. A well-written book that's largely wrong. On a wild mountaintop Moses received 'Ten Commandments' illuminating the good life, the first two reject the invention of a personally convenient god.
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