Customer Reviews

When Men Think Private Thoughts Exploring The Issues That Captivate The Minds Of Men

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Wow! I don't know what else to say about this book. The first chapter alone made me literally sit up and say that out loud (WOW!). McDonald continues in his incredible way of relating life through words with this book. Make no mistake, he tells it like it is - this is EXACTLY the way men think...or at least me. I thought I was some strange creature who had weird fantasies but as I read it became clearer and clearer that this is the way that God created me. McDonald helps the reader see the uniqueness that God had in mind when he created men. Now instead of feeling like I'm screwed up (thanks ladies...heh heh), I know that I am very, very normal.

I highly recommend this book to men, because a lot of women have made us feel that we are not normal. This book backs up the fact that you think the way you do for a purpose, a God intended purpose.

I also highly recommend this book for women because they have no idea how weird we really are. This is a GREAT book for any woman wanting to know how men think. I imagine for them it is going to be a bit confusing. I am currently in the process of buying a copy for every woman I have ever dated.

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

If you have ever struggled with your inner life and felt no one could possibly understand the way you think, look no further. Gordon MacDonald, in an incredibly honest and effective way, discusses mens's private thoughts and those they wrestle with most. Using experiences from his life, stories shared by others during his work as a pastor, and literary and historical examples, he masterfully reveals the silent struggles that men face. It is a must read for anyone who desires to honestly reflect on the character of their life, wants to grow and make a contribution, and struggles to balance their inner life with their outward existence. The book not only points out the challenges one faces in these internal struggles but offers suggestions to resolve these conflicts. These are the discussions that men need to have with their sons and grandsons. Women and wives will benefit from this book as well, as a window to how the men in their lives really think, but often don't say. It is, though, in the end a book for and about men and their most intimate thougts, and a great one at that!

Exploring the issues that captivate the minds of men, really! ... easy and good reading from a pastor, with examples taken from his own life .. very honest and revealing -- I've read it and I've recommended it to several other men, who have also enjoyed it. It was a good way to open up to each other and really start discussing what really is on our minds.

This book is worth reading by both men and women, but men especially. MacDonald graciously articulates issues men think about and struggle with. He's quite firm on some issues but you never get the sense that he's telling you to do something he hasn't walked out himself. I especially appreciate his obvious love for his wife.

First, know I'm typically a non-reader.... or was. Money can't buy the insights Gordon MacDonald gives you. (For everything else -- there's MasterCard.)

So I bought and read 3 more of his books.

"When Men Think Private Thoughts" by Gordon MacDonald focuses on different issues facing men: career, family, significance, character, sexuality, relationship with parents, etc.

While MacDonald has some insightful comments, I thought the book's flow was unstructured and meandered on many paths when addressing an issue like sexuality. Quite frankly, I sometimes had a problem trying to follow what the author was saying. It was as if he was trying to mix too much pop psychology with biblical wisdom.

To MacDonald's credit, I thought the book closed strongly in the last 3 chapters: The Formation of Character, The Meaning of Work, and The Significance of Legacy.

In summary, the book was okay. However, in my humble opinion, other titles such as "Renewing Your Spiritual Passion", "Ordering Your Private World", and "The Life God Blesses" are much better books.

Gordon's book is a powerfully written book (the latest edition includes a study guide)that I have read before and now am using with a small group of men. Wow!

No other book will captivate you like this one. It's almost as if I'm reading another book called False Roads To Manhood. Gordon delves into the secret emotions of men and sheds light on a subject often misunderstood. Reading this book will shake your emotions as a man but much unwanted fruit will fall. I especially enjoyed the section dealing with constructed personalities. As I read each page, I found myself saying that's me. A good read for every man and woman who want to know and understand.

very good book for men. Answers alot of man questions when we think we are the only ones facing a certain challenge in our life. A must for every man who is searching for the inner him.

'mwiley' was right on the money. This book was written by someone who was trained neither in the art of writing nor in the topic he was trying to teach to others. It's full of meandering, unstructured discussion of what the author thinks the truth to be and presenting it as fact. The only background material he sites as reference is the bible - no surveys, no clincal studies, no science. And some of it is obviously wrong. For instance, he claims the reason adult men like females breasts is because they enjoyed the nursing experience as infants. Easy to disprove several ways:
1) Many males were bottle-fed, but still enjoy breasts just the same.
2) Female infants are often breast-fed but, but as adults, do not have the same level of interest.
3) Adult males seek out other parts of the female anatomy in the same manner, but these have nothing to do with nursing.
4) Adults, in general, do not remember what it was like to be breast-fed. Subconscious memories you say? If that were the case, then adult males who were bottle fed would seek out Playtex baby bottles instead of breasts because most of the pleasures MacDonald sites associated with breast-feeding are also present with bottle-feeding.

That said, occasionally there are snippets of his opinions (note I've intentionally refrained from using the word 'information') which are useful in answering questions I've had about how widespread my thought patterns, as a man, are. But rather than forcing me to read through 200 pages, these could have been covered in about 10.