Wild at Heart by John Eldredge: A review

The first time I read Wild at Heart I believe was just after college. Recently I received a copy of a revised and expanded version that was released on the ten year anniversary of the book. Wild at Heart is a classic. The book deals with the heart of a man. John Eldredge contends that there are three desires in the heart of a man: A battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. And yet at the same time there is a question that haunts every man - "Do I have what it takes?" At the heart of every man is a fear that he won't have what it takes to come through when he needs to. It's a fear that he'll be exposed as an impostor, that he isn't really a man. Eldredge does an amazing job at answering that question and addressing that fear in a way that affirms the man in who God has made him to be.

Eldredge's writing style makes for a great read. He regularly dips into his own life and shares stories of his experiences counseling other men and raising up three boys (now all grown). Reading it again was such a joy. I realize now, looking into the rear view mirror that this book shaped me more than I knew. It breathed truth into my life that I really needed in a very formative time as I wrestled with what it means to be a man. And now, being a father with a baby boy I read it in a whole new light. One of the greatest responsibilities I get as a father is to help answer "the question" for my son.

As for the revised and expanded version of the book - it wasn't clear to me what was expanded and/or revised with exception of one part of the introduction where Eldredge comments on what it's like now 10 years after the book was released. It has a different cover, but as far as I could tell the contents of the book have pretty much remained the same - the same classic, life-giving book that it has always been. I was so glad to read it again, and it certainly won't be the last time.


(Disclosure: Booksneeze.com has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. I was not required to give a positive review of the book. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

Posted in: book review,John Eldredge,Wild at Heart