The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wonder of Boys
Book Review: A Counselor's Must Have (not to mention a parent's)
Summary: 4 Stars
I haven't finished the book yet, but so far I am very impressed with the organization, readability, and content of this book. I am an elementary school counselor who just recently found out I am expecting a baby boy (first time mom) and I had heard other counselors in my district rave about Michael Gurian and his work. I actually intended to purchase The Good Son by the same author, but accidentally got this one instead and have been pleasantly surprised by it. It really goes into the brain chemistry differences in boys and girls which helps to explain the differences that we see in behavior, affect, and thinking.I definitely recommend this book to any teacher, counselor, or parent. I have orderd The Good Son, and I hope it is as good! I feel that it will be. :)
Book Review: A GREAT BOOK!!
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading so many negative reviews of this book written by females, it made me want to immediately go out and get it. I did. The problem with our modern society is that we just do not want to face the natural FACT that males and females ARE different. Do not say that out loud, however, or you will be branded a chauvinist. Today's adolescent males are scared, confused and insecure. I wonder what has caused this. (Not really) We still encourage females to BE females, be proud of it and be as much a contributing member of the business world as men have always been. With boys, however, we do not encourage. We tell them what they SHOULD NOT do. We teach them, subconsciously, that they are now to pay for the centuries of repression of women committed by what one of my students termed, "a bunch of dead white guys." Thus, we have self-assured, confident women and insecure, weak men. No one really believes that men are put on the earth to dominate women, men are stronger, men are better and all that rubbish. I don't agree with previous readers fears that this book is dangerous because it will lead to a perpetuation of the "John Wayne" mentality. That is the opinion of fools. If you want someone to "tell it like it is," without the psychobabble that really says nothing at all, get this book.Book Review: A must-read for all mothers with sons!
Summary: 5 Stars
With two boys, aged 8 and 11, I stood on the brink of their adolescence feeling unprepared and clueless as to how I should guide them. Then I read this book!Its basic review of the physiological differences between boys and girls was insightful and thorough. It has already changed my parenting in the areas of discipline, my attitude towards video games, their "rough-housing" behavior, etc. I found this book was more comprehensive than "A Fine Young Man", by the same author. It has a great balance between exploring underlying principles and offering practical tips for successfully parenting boys.
I can't wait to give this book to my husband for Fathers Day! This book is an affirmation of all the wonderful things he already does with our sons and an encouragement and guide for the years ahead.
After reading this book I feel better prepared to release my boys on their journey to manhood!
Book Review: A nugget here and there...
Summary: 2 Stars
I started reading this book with a true desire to learn, with an open mind, what a man had to say about relating to boys. I am the mother of a 23 year old son, and have an inspiring relationship with him. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement, and I wanted to learn. I kept running into statements that were troublesome for me, though, and familiar as well. I tried to keep an open mind. While his statements about boys were at times insightful, more often questionable; his statements about women were incredulous, outrageous, and ignorant if not downright misogynist. It all made sense to me as he pointed to his "feminist" credentials: Christina Hoff-Sommers, Katie Roiphe, and Camille Paglia. Horribly disappointed that I had spent money for such trash, I read on, looking for the small nuggets of "wisdom" that might, just the same, enhance my understanding of the male sex. Okay, there's a nugget here and there...but it's not worth the price of the book. There are better books out there, and this author would be better off reading them before he decides who an expert really is.Book Review: A powerful philosophy; I like what Gurian has to say.....
Summary: 4 Stars
Although Gurian has received much criticism about this book--from the way it is written (Gurian is not a professional writer after all) to its "narrow" philosophy-- I found it thought-provoking and reassuring. I found Gurian to be a proponent of all humans, male and female. He points out the fact that certain aspects of the feminist movement have resulted in male villainization, an idea that is bound to be unpopular. At the same time he acknowledges how necessary it has been for our culture to change the way we view the feminine. He presents to the reader a different way of approaching the age old problem of the differences in the sexes. He states his case honestly, and yes, sometimes he wanders a bit. Many have criticized his philosophy because he cannot substantiate some of his findings, but philosophy does not have to be substantiated--it is a system of ideas, not necessarily scientific fact. In summary: because of this book, I have added new ways to my old ways of raising my two sons; what could be wrong with that?