Rating: 
Summary: What makes boys tick
Review: I liked this book--solid, enlightening, breaking new ground...This may be the beginning of a movement, finally, a look at what makes young men tick,the forgotten male. I've seen three books recently that tap into the same issue, from different angles: Raising a Son, overall issues of raising a boy; Real Boys (Pollack), which talks about the myths and misunderstandings of boys; and the PC Dads Guide to Becoming a Computer Smart Parent (Ivey), which has a lot about raising a son in the digital age....all good reading as part of a much needed discussion.
Rating:
Summary: Sheds light on adolescent males, and how to reach them
Review: I've been a teacher of this species for almost twenty years, and am in the throes of raising two of them myself, but Gurian explains many of the mystifying aspects of teenaged boys to those of us who have never been one! He explains the biology and psychology, but more than that, he shares insights into the ways to best reach and connect with teenaged young men. As an example, which we probably all know intuitively, but didn't realize on a conscious level, if you want to try and talk with them, you have to do something active, like shoot hoops. You also have to be prepared to take the time to wait. These are the types of insights I found personally useful, but there is much more here that is helpful to anyone who is hoping to help boys grow up into well-adjusted men. I recommend this to anyone who spends time with adolescent boys.
Rating:
Summary: Good but left me longing for more
Review: One of the best features of this book is the fact that Michael Gurian. having lived in other cultures, researches his material through the scientific process aas well as by investigating other cultures in how they relate to boys. In so doing Gurian discovers some common elements and some differences. Some of these differences are surprising and offer our own culture something to thnink about. It is hard to focus on what is good about this book because one would have to summarize all its chapters. Perhaps a strong element of "A Fine Young Man" is the structure of those chapters. Guriam presents the thesis of the chapter. He presents cross-cultural references, scientific reseach and personal histories. He then offers some practical "how-to's". For those of us who work with boys, especially adolescents, this practical aspect is quite important. While Gurian's style makes this "easy" reading, one finds oneself pausing numerous times and talking to oneself about what one has just read. Gurian inspires the reader to bring "his" own life to the process. I thought this book would be a releif from the spiritual and theological reading I have been doing. Yet I found myself reflecting frequently on Gurian's insights, the implications of the research he discovered and the stories he presents. I found myself journaling about these times. This book has solid practical value, but it also has a deep spiritual challenge to those of us to want to help our young men grow into healthy and faithful adults.
Rating: 
Summary: A practical book substantiated through scientific research
Review: One of the best features of this book is the fact that Michael Gurian. having lived in other cultures, researches his material through the scientific process aas well as by investigating other cultures in how they relate to boys. In so doing Gurian discovers some common elements and some differences. Some of these differences are surprising and offer our own culture something to thnink about. It is hard to focus on what is good about this book because one would have to summarize all its chapters. Perhaps a strong element of "A Fine Young Man" is the structure of those chapters. Guriam presents the thesis of the chapter. He presents cross-cultural references, scientific reseach and personal histories. He then offers some practical "how-to's". For those of us who work with boys, especially adolescents, this practical aspect is quite important. While Gurian's style makes this "easy" reading, one finds oneself pausing numerous times and talking to oneself about what one has just read. Gurian inspires the reader to bring "his" own life to the process. I thought this book would be a releif from the spiritual and theological reading I have been doing. Yet I found myself reflecting frequently on Gurian's insights, the implications of the research he discovered and the stories he presents. I found myself journaling about these times. This book has solid practical value, but it also has a deep spiritual challenge to those of us to want to help our young men grow into healthy and faithful adults.
Rating: 
Summary: Fathers are more important to sons than most people think.
Review: Provocative certainly, educational only if you can spare the time to reflect and talk with others as you read this book. As this century ends, so many otherwise bright people seem convinced you can ignore human reality. All fathers should read this book. Many terms are used to describe a male who grows up unable to hold his own in our society; no father should contribute to his son being one of those men. I wish Gurian had used more case examples of real people. The Author does have an odd reaction to the fact that his clients open up to him, parts of this book I'd edit out. As a Physician, I have an odd reaction if my patients do not open up to me. Enough material here for every man reading it to ensure several days heated debate with every woman you know.
Rating:
Summary: This is an amazing book.
Review: This excellent book is written by the author of The Wonder of Boys, a book which has helped me as I raise my sons. I found Fine Young Man to be even better, though, because the ideas are even more fleshed out into real, practical solutions and suggestions. Not content to just blame everything on "nurture", Gurian seems to suggest that "nature" plays a key role, perhaps a larger role than many people would care to admit. He outlines how rough the road is for boys growing up in today's world, and how we as parents and mentors can help our sons become strong, sane, and well-balanced. I particularly liked his description of the three stages of male adolescence, which somehow rang extremely true. And his assertion that male role models are essential is right on the money. His book is a cut above others, because he is able to inspire and encourage with real ideas, not just theory or blame. If I had one criticism, it would be that I wished he had inc! luded a few more resources at the end. But that's small criticism for an extremely fine book.
Rating:
Summary: For everyone!
Review: Why are we raising generations of disaffected, dysfunctional & dissed young men? Why does it seem that our boys no longer have direction to their lives. Why on earth are they so enraged, rudderless & obsessed? In A Fine Young Man you will see the tragic trail leading to wounded boys, abandoned by mentors & guides. Both boys & girls needs community heroes, direction & instruction & public school simply does not nor cannot take the place of adult male elders. This book is an eye opener, a swift & fluent introduction to the Adolescent Male 101 & takes us through the quests & stages all young males pass through, guided or not. Fascinating, hair-raising & eminently readable. A must for anyone raising boys or wondering about our lost, damaged youth.
Rating:
Summary: For everyone!
Review: Why are we raising generations of disaffected, dysfunctional & dissed young men? Why does it seem that our boys no longer have direction to their lives. Why on earth are they so enraged, rudderless & obsessed? In A Fine Young Man you will see the tragic trail leading to wounded boys, abandoned by mentors & guides. Both boys & girls needs community heroes, direction & instruction & public school simply does not nor cannot take the place of adult male elders. This book is an eye opener, a swift & fluent introduction to the Adolescent Male 101 & takes us through the quests & stages all young males pass through, guided or not. Fascinating, hair-raising & eminently readable. A must for anyone raising boys or wondering about our lost, damaged youth.
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