Customer Reviews

A Man's Journey to Simple Abundance

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I normally don't purchase "self help" books, but reading the reviews of this book made me interested. Each essay is unique and with a different point of view, but they all tap into the unique joys and sorrows of being a man. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interesting in learning more about themselves and getting in touch with their inner person.

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.

As a women born in 1961, I have been aware that roles of men and women in the world have changed very quickly and drasticaly over the last few generations. Which, i believe has effected the way men and women are able to understand and relate to each other.

I found the format of this book extreamly enjoyable, each writer's honesty refreshing, and the resulting insites into the male condition in our socielty inspiring.

I am the mother of three small boys, and I desire greatly to help them develope both charater and spirtuality as they grow into men. This book is living proof that these charateristics are not only possible in the modern man, but a "main ingreadiant" of the male personality and thought process. I plan to ask all of my sons to read this book when they come of age.

A Man's Journey is a trip that welcomes women along, too. It's a collection of essays by a noteworthy group of men: a hermit, a four-star general, a former fighter pilot, and a rock star, as well as works by writers, professors, therapists and entrepreneurs, 55 in all. The authors reflect on different aspects of their lives, and, in the process, offer the reader insights into their hearts as well. Several striking pieces stand out: a remarkable essay on the rewards of serving as a mentor to young people ("In Loco Parentis"); a wry tale about money ("You Can Never Lose Too Much"); and an elegy for the Minnesota Vikings, which provides a hint at what's inside the soul of a true fanatic.

Despite professing a desire to get away from stereotypes, the book reaffirmed the idea that men and women can't understand each other without the aid of trite touchy-feely books like this one. I felt that this book didn't cohesively address ANY of the issues of manhood. Some of the essays were genuinely touching, but most of the ones I really liked didn't illuminate manhood but personhood. Breathnach's introductions and comments were by far the worst parts. They framed the simple musings of the essays awkwardly, imposing structure and themes where they didn't belong.

If you visit Ms. Breathnac's site, you will find helpful advice for meditating and a new outlook on incidents in your life. The book did not offer that, though it proposed to. Her charity work is tremendous and the woman seems to have an endless amount of love and energy. The book seemed more like Chicken Soup for the Soul with a test at the end than anything that offered daily guidance and affirmations. But like I said, maybe it just wasn't for me.

Contributors to this fine anthology of male authors would be far better served without the unnecessary and cloying tailpieces tacked onto their work by Author-Publisher Sarah Ban Breathnach. The jacket photo of foxy Sarah tells it all. The girl's gotta have the last word.

WOW! I never thought much about my masculinity before I read this book. This is about recognizing that macho is not a musto. There is a lot of room to accept the multiplicity that can be masculinity. The laying-bare of our cultural male sensibilty has always been something lingering at the limit of my consciousness. The bravery of these male voices will serve to evolve our faltering gender before it's too late.

-Recovering Frat Boy

I will admit the bias that defines a MAN is that it he is a strait man,and that gay men are a sub division ,So I resist the broad assumed strokes that lack that awareness,even with this book I got that impression when I began reading it ,and no it was not due to internalized homophobia,just awareness.
I got so much out of it that the bias did not matter,A few stories at the end i just passed over ,even though it seemed like listening to someone's own experience ,there was nothing in reading it that hit home for this reader.Try it for yourself,The book put me in a good place and opened me up to deeper insights.A great book for the journey .

Several short peices about men and then commented on by the author who collected everything. There are a lot of great enecdotes and life lessons in this book.