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The Wonder of Boys  By  cover art

The Wonder of Boys

By: Michael Gurian
Narrated by: Michael Gurian
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Publisher's summary

What can parents, mentors, and educators do to shape boys into exceptional men? Michael Gurian, a respected therapist, storyteller, and recognized expert in family systems, explains the basic needs of every boy: a primary and extended family, a relationship with mother, father, and mentors, and support from his community. He also tells how to satisfy a boy's desire for his own sense of tribe and initiation through healthy, structured competition, discipline, and work coupled with moral and spiritual values. Gurian's training videos for parents and volunteers are used by the Big Brothers and Big Sisters agencies throughout North America.
©1996 Michael Gurian (P)1996 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

Critic reviews

"[Gives] us what we need to raise strong, responsible, and sensitive men." (John Gray)
"[For] every parent and every young man old enough to comprehend its wisdom." (Beverly Engel)

What listeners say about The Wonder of Boys

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Book for Mothers and Fathers

I see my boys struggling to be successful at school and have found this book to be very helpful by providing a framework for giving them what they need to feel good about themselves and feel good about life in general. Raising children isn't just having them, feeding them and making sure they get to school - it's a full time commitment if you want them to have rich lives and be happy with the expectations society and our Creator has for them and for the human race to thrive in general. If you believe this and are looking to understand what is needed to develop your son to fulfill his role in life, then this is a book for you.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good read. I don't agree with only one part.

I can agree with most of what is taught in the book with the exception of the idea that masturbation is harmless and necessary. I don't believe in shaming a boy if he does it but would encourage him to not. Self control is what should be taught.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book but....

Great book but it leaves you with so many questions I felt like I didn't come away with a good sense of how to implement what the author was saying. The author is the narrator and he did a wonderful job. This has completely sparked my interest and I will be continuing on with his other books!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

philosophically dated

I found this dated and narrow in its view of boys. It was light on science, if not altogether void.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Resource for Every Man

I love that Gurian takes you through the stages of boyhood and manhood showing us how to be wise and come out of boyhood as good men in every aspect of our lives. I will recommend this to everyone!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Outdated and dangerous ideas

I have been doing a deep dive of books about the study of masculinity and patriarchy and this book was free on audible so of course I downloaded it. I was immediately dismayed when the author talked about boys being inherently more likely to take risks because of their biology instead of pressure felt from patriarchy. I thought the book was perhaps written in the 60s or 70s but to my surprise it is fairly recent (2006). I do not recommend reading this nonsense, instead read Bell Hooks’ the will to change, or Terrence Real’s How can I get through to you.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

it's like a handbook

Great book to be reminded of how we should help each other play our part for the better of the future people. Take what you need with an open mind. Just stick to the end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating look

This book is more heavy on opinion than I thought it would be. However, the author uses plenty of data and anecdotes from his professional experience as well. This is an interesting topic and I enjoyed learning about the information presented.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Would not recommend

Found the narrating very "computerized" and impersonal. As others have said about this book, I felt the data/info presented and shared aren't accurate. Also, I find the way the author blames males/females for different behaviours to be problematic and risky of reinforcing distance and hatred between the female and male populations. Finally, at times I thought some of the statements to be quite conservative.
one point I agree with, is the "it takes a village" to raise a child. absolutely agree with that and agree with the fact western societies suffer from the individualistic norms we experience.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

.

Great information and insight. I would highly recommend this book. It covered many topics about boys!

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