If you're entering the land of boys, take this instruction manual. A very helpful and insightful read for all parents of boys. Useful at every stage and through many of the challenges they face throughout life.

I didn't like this at all!!! This author has no business writing books on how to raise boys especially given his own personal history. Didn't care for it at all!

Maybe it's because my expectations were high, but I didn't particularly care for this book. The first thing I noticed was that the author's values aren't exactly in line with my own, and he said several things that I definitely don't agree with. I kept reading hoping it would get better, and while there was some information that seemed on target it was nothing new or very useful. Kind of a bummer because I had heard it was a great book.

Nope

In a word fascinating. Not only does this book give you the science behind how the brain and hormones affect our boys, but it also gives you a simple lesson in Anthropology. Not many of us are interested in studying Anthropology, but we do want to understand the world in which we live in, and how we can better get on with each other. This book helps us to understand at half the population on this planet, as well as learn about how we as individuals, male or female, contribute to the dysfunctional society we live in.

As a mother of two boys, I am interested in knowing what makes them tick, how they think and feel about things on a male - testosterone fuelled - basis. I understand them on an individual basis; I know what they like and dislike. I know how to motivate them, how to teach them and how to love them; But I want to know how to guide them through life so they feel empowered as a man without over powering or controlling others. I want them to know their unique place in the order of nature, how husbandry is not just the act of getting married and being called a husband. I want them to understand they have a vital part to play in making this world a much better place by knowing how to husband nature, society and their family. If you have these sames desires for your children, no matter how old your son is, then this is a great place to start.

I have always believed that it takes a community to raise children. A concept that sadly seems to be disappearing around the world. This book provides evidences as to how the breakdown of this very simple concept had impacted our world, and provides simple solutions that can have dramatic positive effects.

There are some very simple exercises that you can take from this book, activities you can create and initiatives you can join. There are powerful pieces of content that can inspire conversations between you and your son. I have already implemented some of them and can already see a big difference between both my 10 year old and my 6 year old.

The Wonder of Boys has also been written for everyone dealing with children, whether they are parents, educators or community workers. With more and more men feeling alienated, suicidal and lost, it is essential reading for all in the community who want to empower the future generations of men, so effectively, all those that want better leaders, better husbands and better communities... this book is for you.

The only downside I can see with this book, is the references to religious Rites of Passage for the Jewish community. Some people prefer not to 'have religion shoved down their throat' so may find it off putting. Mr Gurian should include practices from all faiths, not just one or two. To not include is to exclude after all.

An excellent book, especially for mothers, but also an interesting internal journey for those men out there who have had little or no male guidance in life.

This book really helped me understand better a boy's temperament, needs, and habits. I think I should probably reread it about every other year to help me raise my boys as they grow.

I found the range of reviews on this book fascinating. Why is it than when an alternative viewpoint is brought up people interpret it as an attack on their own? I see nothing wrong with his stating that boys/men see the world and are "wired" differently than girls/women. I hope that is the case--differences are what make this world worth living in.

Instead of battling with one another, maybe we should figure out how to yoke our abilities together in order to make something greater than ourselves. Our society is in desperate need of a common vision and purpose that will take us to greater places than we have been before. Let's see and find the wonder in working in this journey of life together through our different talents, abilities, and strengths.

I have always been very attentive to feminist themes in my reading and such, so it was great to read a book that praises the masculine. It also helped me see how I can be a better mother to my boys. There are moments that feel a bit overboard with the "It takes a village to raise a child...." which is a good sentiment, it's just.....parent's are pretty important too.

This is a great book! I really like the approach to sex Ed for boys. The need for a support system when raising our children is real and the practical advice for developing these "families" is quite helpful.

Whew! I thought I'd never finish! There were definitely some things I liked about this book, but also some things I didn't. On the plus side: I learned a lot about boys biology, genetics, and brain chemistry (the first chapter was one of the most interesting). Also, I learned a lot about parenting teenage boys, and what it means to help them step confidently into manhood. I also learned why boys have a tendency to get into negative behaviors - from aggressive toddlers to teens in gangs, to grown men in prison - and what we can do re-direct those testosterone-driven urges. However, the book was very wordy, over-filled with the authors own opinions, and focused entirely too much on historic and tribal practices for my taste. Also, I could have lived without the vague "spirituality" references that permeated the whole book.
I will probably check back with this book when my boys are teenagers, as I felt there was some helpful information in dealing with boys in that age group.

This could have been better. Just too much psychobabble for me. What it did tell me is that I understand precious little about boys and men.

I had a hard time ranking this book. I didn't hate it but I did not feel it was as helpful as it could have been. It is not easy to skim or jump to the parts you deem relevant. This first couple chapters were intersting but I thought it was a dated book overall. I would not recommend this book.