A Man's Journey to Simple Abundance

Rating:
Summary: And Never the Twain Shall Meet.
Review: Ms. Breathnach collaborated with Michael Segell to teach us women that men actually do think and feel differently from the females in their lives. It was through his wife, Winnie Gallagher, that the two found each other and produced this informative journal.

There are fifty-two diverse contributors selected and edited by Mr. Segell. For ages we've known of the contradictions between recollections by the different sexes; this was published to bring them closer together by revealing some similarites not just the differences. It was a definite challenge. Whatever else you could say, they are perhaps true. I can see why they chose Mark Winegardner's "Like Mother, Like Son,' to get off to a good start. It is rewarding to read how he credits his mother with his creativity. I told son Zachary that he got his writing ability from me, but he was doubtful. Like me, Mark has trouble "forgiving."

In this series of essays, we strive to understand male emotions, their historic lack of commitment, their great pride and self-esteem from the professional lives (I wonder, did they see the new STEPFORD WIVES movie?), and the uniquely male perspective on life's problems.

Some years ago, I worked through SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy and learned what is really important to women. Now, they attempt to turn the tables, so to speak, to educate women about the men they love but have difficulty understanding.

She gives her view of the creation, using Spirit as God, Eve as the first 'soul mate,' spiritual awakening; I waited to see if the Spirit was a woman who presented this version: It's not good for man to be alone; something or someone was missing.

Merle Shain stated it clearly, "There are no perfect men, of course, but some are more perfect than others, and we can use all of those we can get." Men feel they 'deserve' respect (ha), they should seek it by their actions.

Some of these essays are provocative and most are complicated to a woman's sensibilities. It's possible that some of them may move you to laughter or tears. Men are good at faking emotions they don't feel. And some can act up in public and embarrass an innocent woman for something the man mistakenly assumed.

I was most interested in those written by Southern humorist, Roy Blount, Jr., and Reynolds Price, another Southerner with the longest bibliography. Jake Jacobsen was the most original, listed only as a 'hermit.' He hates women, it seems.

Some are Pulitzer prize winners in their fields. They use thoughtfulness, intelligence, and sometimes wit to get their individual points across. I heard this on the Wink Martindale show recently on the Music Of Your Life radio network, "You are born an individual; don't die a copy." Men will always be men and we can value them for the creatures they are, for better or for worse.

Rating:
Summary: Table of Contents-5 stars; Actual Contents-1 star
Review: The table of contents to this book is very intriguing--Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons, essays presumably about what it means to be a man in today's world. This is a topic seemingly of introspective interest to all males, yet the actual writing struck me as either completely off topic, or so obvious and sentimental that it offered no quiet, contemplative wisdom worthy of the time it takes to read. These are all brief stories from a variety of authors. In reading prior reviews of this book above, I tried to see if those who liked the book were male or female. From a female perspective, perhaps there is an easier acceptance of the stories presented, that they really do have relevance somehow. There are some sentimental values expressed in "A Man's Journey," and perhaps that appeals to some, but for me, I think it utterly fails in the premise expressed in the title and offered me nothing of probitive value. This is not meant to diminish those who liked it, but I'm scratching my head trying to see the value to me, a male very interested in the topics listed in the table of contents. There are six "Top Ten Things" listed at the end of every section. Things like, "I wish we'd had a few more laughs and a few less arguments" (10 things I wish I'd told my father), or "Change a tire"(10 things every man should know), or "How much of an effort do I make, really?" (10 things every man should know the answer to). If you want a quick litmus test of whether this book offers you anything, just pick one of those lists for a quick review. If you like what's listed, you'll probably like the book, if not, it's a waste of time.

Rating:
Summary: and maybe the next story will give me an inkling...
Review: The writers seemed to be reaching hard to delve some deep female part inside when they would rather be marlin-fishing or something. I found the discussions of intimacy the most readable, possibly because having sex is apparently the only thing men have in common with women. In trying so excruciatingly hard to show feelings, many of the writers turned to, you guessed it, life and death situations such as a spouse's cancer, war in Africa, parental loss. The kinds of things it takes to get guys to emote, I suppose. Could you perhaps let us know how you felt to see your child be born? Ease a child's anxiety over some imagined terror? Let us know why you hate, really hate, the guy in the car in front of you? So you would throw yourself down the stairs if it would make the Vikings win. Uhuh. And sex is the closest thing to God. Gotcha. Now we know you write with it, in addition to thinking with it.