Amazon.com
If Christian men are going to change from a pitiful, wimpy bunch of "really nice guys" to men who are made in the image of God, they must reexamine their preconceptions about who God is and recover their true "wild" hearts, writes bestselling author John Eldredge in Wild at Heart: Discovering a Life of Passion, Freedom, and Adventure. Eldredge throws down the gauntlet--men are bored; they fear risk, they refuse to pay attention to their deepest desires. He challenges Christian men to return to authentic masculinity without resorting to a "macho man" mentality. Men often seek validation in venues such as work, or in the conquest of women, Eldredge observes. He urges men to take time out and come to grips with the "secret longings" of their hearts. Although the book succeeds best in its slant toward a male audience, it also strives to help women understand the implications of authentic masculinity in their relationships with men. Eldredge frames the book around his outdoor experiences and appealing anecdotes about his family, sprinkling the text with touches of humor and overlying everything with heartfelt passion. Even as he mixes eclectic ideas about masculinity from popular movies such as Braveheart with classic words from Oswald Chambers, and lyrics from the Dixie Chicks with stories from the Bible, he points to only one answer for men searching for their true wildness of heart. Writes Eldredge, "The only way to live in this adventure ... with all its danger and unpredictability and immensely high stakes ... is in an ongoing, intimate relationship with God." --Cindy Crosby
Book Description
God designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires-aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be-dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.
Customer Reviews:
Misses the Mark.......2007-09-28
Has some good open insights, but misses the mark as the author wants us to return to the patriarchal ways of thinking that actually hurts true masculinity.Men-The Gods of Love
Wild at Heart Rocks.......2007-09-27
Wild at Heart rocks! Perfect view of God and men - No. A great motivator for men to develop a deep and very personal relationship with God - Yes. Having read the book a couple of times, and now having read other John Eldredge books, I can tell you that my spiritual walk with God has been completely changed in a very meaningful way. In fact 'changed' is probably a word that does not completely convey the real impact of the message on my life -- 'Warped Across the Universe' would be more descriptive.
As a few reviewers have highlighted, the book is not perfect. Nor is it the answer to every man's questions about his masculinity and how we are all formed in God's image. It simply provides a strong framework to think differently about what it means to be a man but yet a Christian.
As mentioned again by several reviewers, although the book has a little bravado here and there, it is not license to mistreat other people, especially not the women in our life's. The message is very clear. Although the God is a Warrior, He is also a compelling force who loves mankind deeply.
Bottom-line about this book is that message, can at least for some men, revolutionize their thinking about God, Church, their families and their relationships with other people. It has changed me in a personal a deep manner that this review cannot even begin to express.
Wonderfully Spiritual and Invigorating - Not Just For Men!.......2007-09-25
I cannot speak highly enough of this book! I learned so much from reading it--about myself, about my husband, about life! In fact, I think I'll read it AGAIN!
Truly Transformational!!.......2007-09-18
Treasures of the Kingdom, Vol. 1
I've seen the message from this book transform not only my own life, but the lives of many, many others as well.
The Eldredges have such a wonderful way of awakening the heart to its natural hunger and thirst for God. They throw us head long into a journey of pursuing God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
The pursuit results in total transformation. Mediocre religion doesn't cut it anymore. We have to have God and we have to see Him powerfully and fully integrated in our every day lives. Walking with God, hearing His voice, knowing His guidance and leading in our lives changes everything.
For true stories of lives transformed because of the power of this message as presented by the Eldredges, see the real life accounts in the Amazon book, Treasures of the Kingdom.
Timing is everything.......2007-09-13
I actually read this book about 4 years ago and remember thinking it was pretty good, BUT for some reason I picked it up a few weeks ago and re-read it. POWERFUL insight. Then just as I was finishing the book, my Dad died. There are no coincidences. This book answered a lot of deep questions I didn't even know I had. It was a real life shaper. TO those of you who are fathers to boys,.. its a MUST READ. The authors insight is right-on and much different than what you would expect from a "Christian author". BTW, I could see why some women might have a problem understanding and accepting some of his insights. I'd say they just need to listen, observe and keep an open mind. This book can save relationships.
Book Description
I can fix it.
I don't need directions.
I can figure this out on my own. These thoughts that erupt from a man's bravado, from his deep urge to be a
real man. Yet underneath this, there is a louder voice countering,
You can't.
You're not capable.
You're weak. Many men-possibly all men-face two looming questions at some point in their life. What does it mean to be a man, and am I one?
The Way of the Wild Heart reaches out to "unfinished men" trying to understand and live their role as men and fathers. Exploring six biblically based stages, John Eldredge initiates men into a new understanding and ownership of their manhood and equips them to effectively lead their sons to manhood.
Customer Reviews:
GET THIS BOOK.......2007-09-29
I loved Wild At Heart and how he restored masculinity in the church. The goal is not to train our men to be good, nice, coffee-klatsch women. There are parts of being a man that are God-given and shouldn't be set aside.
Now, as a father of two boys, trying to figure out how to be a good dad, this book is revolutionary. I am not the "outdoorsman" that Eldredge is, but we are having significant discussions at our church right now based on this book. I wish more ministers would embrace this book and offer this material to their men.
Most men are bored. And as a businessman, I am extremeley busy. If it were not for deep conviction I would not normally make the time for prioritizing spiritual things in my life. But this book helps me see that it is not just about church. It is about being fathered by God, and passing that fathering on to my sons and to younger men who also need mentoring.
I loved this book!
Wild At Heart.......2007-09-29
Compelling book ; Should be read by EVERY Man
and those who try to live with one successfully,
to help understand how he works inside.
All these books from this author are gifted works on
the workings of the adult man, I believe he is truly inspired.
Biblical Imagery of Masculine Spirituality.......2007-08-22
I've read Eldredge's first book, Wild at Heart, and believe he has as good of a work here if not better. Wild at Heart is a pre-requisite to gain the most benefit from this volume. Even without having read the first title however, Eldredge here will resonate with many Christian male readers.
I simply don't understand how other reviewers can say this book is shallow on its Biblical content -- I don't believe I have seen a better analogy to the life of David in any other work. The masculine journey, according to Eldredge, begins first at boyhood, then progresses to the cowboy, then warrior, lover, king and finally sage. While the author doesn't bluntly offer chapter and verse for the ideas he shares, anyone familiar with the life of David can see clearly the parallels.
I recommend this book to all Christian men. Grandfathers, fathers, and sons alike will all find something here to inspire to walk closer to God and to develop much-needed relationships with other Christian men. This title is well-worth the price.
Great manly read.......2007-07-25
n preparation for a up-and coming hike with my friend Dale, I decided to read this book. I read his first one and loved it. It was called "Wild at Heat." It is the best book I ever read for men and spirituality. In this hike, I am looking forward to the trip. The book certainly motivated me for this time in the woods. Because of this book, this journey is not about the woods as much about connecting to God. Being a minister, it is rare for me to get dirty and sweating, but my background in life is farming and manual labor. I need this hike for my heart. In the church we have taken God and placed him in the church building only. If you want God, find him on Sunday morning, but God is everywhere. In the encounters with God in the Bible, he never approaches the man in the building. This was the perfect book to inspire my future hike. Every man would be blessed by reading this journey. As I read it, my mind reflected back to my journey, it was a enjoyable experience.
A Guide to Becoming a Complete Man.......2007-07-03
This book is a continuation of the topics covered in the book Wild at Heart and has good expansion and further development of the themes. Eldridge's basic premise is that there are 6 stages of the full masculine journey in life. That of the boy, cowboy/ranger, warrior, lover, king, and sage. In each stage the boy/man walks through crucial elements in his development as a man.
The boy stage is when he is young and enjoying doing boy stuff like playing outside, exploring, climbing trees, basically having fun and being delighted in by his parents and family.
The cowboy/ranger stage is when the boy moves more into the young manhood stage where he goes out exploring on his on and begins learning the things of the masculine world such as how to fix a car, working with power tools, going on backpacking journeys in the woods either alone or with some of his friends. This could also include such adventures as backpacking across Europe. The main part of this stage is his learning the answer to the question "do I have what it takes/can I handle this?"
The warrior stage is when the man is beginning his quest and mission in life which may include beginning a career such as a teacher, lawyer, doctor, consultant, mechanic, salesman, or becoming a missionary overseas. This is the stage in which he is finding his cause to fight for and the things that are important to him and what he will work towards during his life.
The lover stage sometimes crosses over with the warrior stage. This is when the man is learning to appreciate beauty and how to love. It is not necessarily when he pursues a woman and learns to love in that sense but can also include the awakening to the beautiful things in life such as nature, art, and music. Full development in this stage will include learning to love and be loved by God in an intimate way. Something Eldridge said which makes sense is that it is best for the man to have established himself as a warrior before entering this stage. Many women can be frustrated with the men they marry who don't seem to have a sense of purpose to their lives and Eldridge indicates that it is best for the man to come to the woman from a state of strength and having journeyed through at least parts of the warrior stage.
The king stage is when the man becomes responsible for leading others. This might include being the head of his household, becoming a manager at work, or a coach of a team. During this stage, warriors may be working for the king.
The final stage is that of the sage. This occurs when a man steps down as a king but does not fade into the distance. He will commonly be an adviser to kings and provide the wisdom that comes only through years of living through the various stages. Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings trilogy would fit this category.
During each of the stages, the man will likely experience parts of all the stages but will generally be centered upon one of them.
In reading this book, I suggest taking it slowly, not because it is difficult reading but so that you can really absorb and take in the topics discussed. I highly recommend this book as an excellent understanding of the development of a man and what makes a whole and complete man.
Book Description
Abandoning the format of workbooks-as-you-know-them, the Wild at Heart Field Manual takes men on a journey through which John Eldredge encourages them to be dangerous. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires, aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives men permission to be what God designed them to be -- dangerous, passionate, alive, and free. This book is filled with questions, exercises, journaling ideas, and guided exploration of the arts that will lead men on a journey to discover the masculine heart that God gave them.
Customer Reviews:
Wild at Heart Field Manual.......2007-08-25
I purchased 4 of these books for my sons, on the recommendation of I man I work with. My oldest son said he usually doesn't like self help books, but after reading the first chapter "very intersting.....it hit home". I have promises from my other sons they will now read it. I am happy with my purchase.
Excellent Resource.......2007-01-28
This is the field manual for the book Wild At Heart. Mine is very worn from having been worked through 4 times. This is a great resource if you are working through Wild At Heart, either by yourself or in a group. It will help you really examine and work through the book.
This workbook is well laid out with lots of room for answers, and a number of little sections to help you on your journey as you work through it. Some of these supplemental sections are:
· A Break in the Clouds
· From the Map
· Warning!
· Dispatch
· Getting Your Bearings
Each chapter which parallels the book, begins with a 'Gut Reaction' - what is your first take on that chapter in the book? This helps set the bearings for where you will go in that chapter. As you work through it you will be drawn deeper and deeper into the masculine journey.
Eldredge begins each chapter with quotes that span church history and denominations. He must be one of the most widely read men I have encountered. He draws from that breadth of knowledge to show a variety of views on topics and tries to help you see where God is wanting to work in your life.
The one drawback, if you use it in conjunction with the DVD curriculum, is that the DVD does not follow the book exactly, and with 12 chapters in the book and field manual that follow each other exactly, and 8 in the DVD, it doesn't seem weighted evenly.
The Field Manual is indispensable if you are going to work through the DVDs and is a great supplement to the original book. For you, or other men in your life, this book will be a great tool on your journey to authentic Christian manhood.
Wild at Heart.......2006-03-11
it was a great support of the book, Wild at Heart. It took the book into a deeper level.
A whole new perspective.......2006-01-31
This book answered many questions I have had for years: about myself, about the church; about Christianity. It launched me on a search for these things that has been very enlightening. I highly recommend getting the Field Guide to Wild at Heart which will help make the things in the book a very personal experience.
Pure theolgists and members of churchs that think they have the only way will probably be very upset by this book. For those who want to open their minds and hearts, it is an unforgetable journey.
wild at heart.......2005-10-07
I have not finished this book as I am writing this. I can say the first 40 pages are worth the purchase price. Eldredge really seems to know how a man is to relate to Jesus. Its fairly obvious he enjoys a healthy relationship with our risen savior Jesus--and shows that we all can. Read it......if you dare.
Book Description
Based on John's new trade book,
The Way of the Wild Heart Workbook sheds light on the initiation into manhood, reaching out to men who lacked the spiritual role models to help lead them through this rite of passage. It will reach out to "unfinished men" and help them identify their weaknesses, baggage, and uncertainties that hinder them in becoming the individuals and the mentors that they strive to be.
Eldredge identifies six stages that all men go through: the beloved son, the cowboy ranger, the warrior, the lover, the king, and the sage. In this workbook, Eldredge presents a working, walking model that men can apply to their daily lives.
Customer Reviews:
Must Read For Any Man.......2007-02-11
This book get's at some of the most important issues a man must learn to stuggle with if he is to become the man is his capable of becoming. This book tells you what you must do to capture the experience of your best moments and how to bring them into your everyday life.
This manual is a home run.......2007-01-01
The "Way of the Wild Heart" manual is an excellent way to make use of the the book that John calls the follow up to "Wild at Heart". This manual helps a man to process and pull out what was relevant about his masculine journey. That is, it helps him to make sense of what he is discovering about himself as he reads the "Way of the Wild Heart" and this manual gives him a place to do something with that information. To just read "Way of the Wild Heart" and then set it down and go, "good book" is to short change yourself massively. Craig and John have done a good job on this manual.
I do recommend dating the entries you make in the workbook as it helps you go back and make sense of things in order. (I don't necessarily do manuals in order.)
Book Description
At the Fierce Edges of Your Life, Where Will You Turn?
"In the middle of the road of my life I awoke in a dark wood, where the true way was wholly lost." When you find yourself without bearings, as Dante Alighieri voiced so well centuries ago, where will you look for guidance? Throughout the ages, teaches David Whyte, the language of poetry has held the power to lend us courage ... to give us the vision of those who endured ... and to hazard ourselves boldly at the "fierce edges" of our lives. On "Clear Mind, Wild Heart" you will join this acclaimed poet and teacher to engage with the poetic imagination as your companion and guide for the difficult terrain we are all traversing.
Poetry, teaches Whyte, offers immediate and powerful tools unique from any other tradition. It can help us to see beyond the fragile surfaces of our lives, open us to the universal cycles and patterns that shape our lives, and awaken our conversation with what has been called the Untouchable, the Numinous, or the Eternal.
"Clear Mind, Wild Heart" guides you into the wellspring of this living poetic tradition through six hours of exploration and poetry with David Whyte, including the verses of such inspired voices as Emily Dickinson, William Blake, W. B. Yeats, Marina Tsvetayeva, Rainer Maria Rilke, Antonio Machado, and others. Through their words, you will discover how to "apprentice yourself to beauty" and find a place of belonging where you can hold loss and grief, the challenges of change, and the wonder of new discovery and adventure.
"The language of poetry takes us outside of our small selves and calls us to look at ourselves and the world with open eyes," teaches David Whyte. Whether you are a lifelong poetry lover or new to its insights and pleasures, "Clear Mind, Wild Heart" is an inspiring guide to answering that call.
"Clear Mind, Wild Heart" highlights:
• Finding the courage to hazard yourself in the world
• Emily Dickinson on the "aliveness" of words
• Conversing with the unknowable
• The harvest of your attention
• How the language of poetry teaches us a relationship with silence
• Goethe's "Holy Longing"
• Apprenticing yourself to beauty
• Blake's reflections on innocence and experience
• Creating a "house of belonging" through speech and imagination
• Work: pilgrimage into identity
• Who are you? How presence shrives you of your old identity
• Encountering the visitations of loss, grief, and defeat
• The poetic spirit in marriage, parenting, and friendship
• Six hours of exploration, as taught in David Whyte's acclaimed seminars and retreats
Customer Reviews:
Lyrical, Engaging, Relevant, Deep, Inquisitive, Resonant.......2006-04-29
New to David Whyte, but always seeking inspiration and meaning, passion and depth, when a friend lent me a cd of his I couldn't believe my ears. It's like magic: the kind of speaking that is from the soul and the heart, filled with wisdom of his own insight and the insight of writers through the ages.
If you're reading this, you must find a way to hear him read poetry. He reads like no one I've ever heard before. Repeating lines with different inflection, tone, volume. David's as alive in his voice as Yo Yo Ma is in cello playing. He's changed the way I recite poetry for good.
This particular CD set was worth every dollar of the $44 it cost. It catalyzed my own poetry writing it was so inspiring.
Track issue.......2005-09-29
I have been converted to the work of David Whyte. I am really impressed with this man's passion, insight and clarity. I have not listened to all these CD's as I purchased his 'Midlife and the Great Unknown' and have been engrossed with this first.
A word of advice. That these CD's do not have tracks and each CD is a single track. This makes finding favourite sections a real chore. I am both disappointed in this, and that at least one of these CD's is an exact replica of the other CD mentioned above, BUT with the addition of this edit issue. The other CD is easier to drive. If you're not familiar with the beautiful work of David Whyte, and if you like more than one track on each CD, then try 'Midlife and the Great Unknown' first.
Inspiration without the schmaltz.......2004-06-14
These CDs put me in mind of an American friend who once said that she wasn't interested in anyone not transforming themselves. They've been spinning in my diskman ever since arriving in the post, and I've been listening to them during my long seaside walks, which is when I slough my skins.
In my view, the language of transformation has been devalued by the self-help industry. It's been so bled of meaning or beauty or both that it's of no use to any of us anymore.
Whyte has directed me towards a language that'll always have blood in its veins, and that's sharp still - the language in poetry. There're no easy slogans here, no pastiched wisdom. Nor are there any gags or attention-grabbers or bullet-points of formulaic action. Whyte just rolls on like a sea lapping steadily at the shore; he gives the listener an ocean of language to contemplate, to immerse themselves in - it's up to you to find what you need for whatever transformation you're currently attempting. His words are generous, intelligent, considered, and often deeply moving. Plus there are dozens of "eureka!" moments to be had: one of mine was when I first heard him say, "I think that boredom is a failure of the imagination." Another was when he introduced then read Yeats' poem "Song of wandering Aengus."
He's not saying much that's new - but he speaks with an eloquence that has woken me up. And he has a lovely voice, and speaks with a soothing cadence.
Buy these CDs. It's worth it.
Extraordinary audio.......2003-05-27
The message resonates, but even more satisfying than Whyte's commentary is his vocal interpretation of Dante, Yeats, Hopkins, Rilke (in German and English). This is an audio pleasure for people who regularly feast on poetry, but also for anyone willing to examine the power of language and the spoken word; listening to this tape brings back all the pleasure of being read to as a child.
Average customer rating:
- Great love Story
- BRILLIANT STORYTELLING!!!
- Fun Little Western Romance
- Classic romance with a great plot!
- HOT HOT HOT!!!!!
|
A Heart So Wild
Johanna Lindsey
Manufacturer: Avon
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0380750848 |
Book Description
Courtney Harte is certain her missing father is a alive, lost somewhere deep in Indian territory. But she needs a guide to lead her safely through this dangerous, unfamiliar country, someone as wild and unpredictable as the land itself. And that man is the gunslinger they call Chandos.
Courtney fears this enigmatic loner whose dark secrets torture his soul, yet whose eyes, bluer than the frontier sky, enflame the innocent, determined lady with wanton desires. But on the treacherous path they have chosen they have no one to trust but each other--as shared perils to their lives and hearts unleash turbulent, unbridled, passions that only love can tame.
Customer Reviews:
Great love Story.......2006-04-19
I have been meaning to review this for ages, and I'm finally getting around to it! If I could I'd give this book like 20 stars! I think I have read this one 8 times. I've read almost all JL's (Love her!) and this is the best. If you like romance, this story is a must. I came across this book in a hotel when I was twelve years old. I was a bit shocked by it at first, but I ended up loving it. This is the book that got me hooked on romance. I loved it then and it is still my favorite book. The characters are extremely memorable and there is loads of chemistry between them. The way their relationship evolved and they fell in love was very believable and convincing. I love westerns, but sometimes the plots are confusing/ repetitive. Not this one!
Chandos is the hottest fictional character ever written, in my opinion. I REALLY WISH HE WERE REAL! What's so engaging and memorable about him is that he's extremely manly, strong-willed, and even sometimes brutal, but he is very protective of Courntney, and "gentle when it matters". It's so cute the way he calls her "Cateyes"!
Courtney, the woman he falls in love with, is adorable. She starts out quite shy and timid around him, which is understandable, considering he's a studly, macho gunfighter-type guy. It's a wonder she even manages to ask the intimidating Chandos to guide her across Indian territory in the first place. However, as their journey progresses, I was glad to see courtney show a side that wasn't originally apparent-very passionate and brave.
It's very romantic how these people meet after a chance encounter four years prior, and fall in love. The plot was deep, complex, and greatly enriched by the story of chandos's past and his struggle for revenge and justice. Some might say the ending is sappy, but I loved it! this book is terrific from the first sentense (even though it's kind of graphic!) to the last, including all the components of a great and memorable romance: passion, true love, adventure, heartbreak, an engrossing plot, interesting secondary characters, a happy not sappy ending, an engaging leading lady, and an extremely hot, on-fire, out-of-this-worldly attractive hero. READ IT! YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED! YOU WILL END UP READING IT OVER AND OVER!
BRILLIANT STORYTELLING!!!.......2006-01-16
Loved it, loved it, loved it!
Chandos was the perfect hero. This is my all time favorite Johanna Linsey romance. The story had everything you could ask for in a romance - adventure, tension, suspense, danger and above all love and passion!
I read it in one sitting, (till 5am) I couldn't put it down. I wish I could read it again and again as if I hadn't read it before. I try, I read it every year or so. This is the kind of story that you hold in your heart for a long time after you have finshed reading.
A pure gem!
Fun Little Western Romance.......2005-12-20
I enjoyed this book, but I hestitated to give it 5 stars since the characters could have been written with a little more depth. Chandos is the dark, strong, and brooding hero that romance fans continue to slobber over. Of course his heart is melted by the too beautiful herione before the story ends.
Classic romance with a great plot!.......2005-09-08
Picking up this book to read, I had great expectations since it was a Johanna Lindsey. And she definetely didn't disappoint. The book started out great if a little graphic but it drew me in instantly.
The relationship between Courtney and Chandos was electric. Their chemistry so perfect. Chandos was the ultimate hero. Is there anything he couldn't do? Courtney was a lady through and though. She was written very realistically for a lady of her time, struggling with the feelings Chandos created in her and also with allowing herself to give in to him.
The plot was great as well and made me turn page after page in anticipation of what would happen next. I enjoyed reading about life in the west during that time period. Ways of surviving the travel in Indian territory and the hardships of the vast empty land were truly an interesting read.
I'm all for a happy ending and Johanna aimed to please. Never a boring moment. Definetely worth the money and the time to read. I'm reading its sequal now and hoping it will be as good. Keeping fingers crossed.
HOT HOT HOT!!!!!.......2004-12-28
Wow! This was an awesome book! I have read a LOT of Romance novels and a lot of Lindsey's books in particular. Memorable romance novels are few and far between. I have to say, this is one of the best books I have ever read. It has everything I look for in a romance novel: a dangerous, manly hero, a beautiful, intellegent leading lady, and lots of exciting scenes where the hero saves his lady. Chandos is my dream man. He has a "don't mess with me" attitude, but loves and protects his woman with an intensity you could sigh over. I will most certainly re-read this book after a little time has passed. Lindsey writes so vividly, you could actually picture yourself in the scenes living it right along with the characters. Take my advice, buy this book. You will NOT be disappointed I assure you!!
Amazon.com
The rodeo is in W.K. Stratton's blood. He attended his first one in utero just days before he was born (on Will Rogers birthday, naturally). He is also the son of a bull-riding cowboy that left him and his mother when Stratton was an infant. The search for this elusive "rodeo bum" father is an underlying theme of Chasing the Rodeo but its main focus is on the action in the ring. Stratton spent a year following the professional rodeo and bull-riding tours and he explores the circuit with a keen and sympathetic eye. He writes about the history of the sport and its place in the mythology of the West, cowboy legends, current stars, and classic rodeo towns, such as Prescott, Arizona, and Pecos, Texas--both of which claim the title as the true birthplace of rodeo. He also looks at the growing popularity of rodeo and bull-riding and what it means for its future now that major events have corporate sponsors and are held in Las Vegas casinos rather than fairgrounds. While acknowledging that the big money prizes are good for the athletes, Stratton worries that marketing considerations will force the sport away from the very traditions that make it interesting. As proof, he bemoans the fact that helmets and Nike shoes are starting to replace Western hats and boots at some rodeos. Still, he encounters plenty of true Western spirit and memorable characters during his journey to keep his love for the rodeo alive and his enthusiasm for his subject proves contagious. Even those who have never considered attending a rodeo will likely find themselves enthralled by this wild ride of a book. --Shawn Carkonen
Book Description
From its roots as the quintessential Western pastime, rodeo has grown to an international, prime-time television sport. Steeped in tradition and the independent spirit of the range, aspiring cowboys and cowgirls are called to its high-stakes, rough-and-tumble fame as they risk their lives for eight seconds of triumph.
In Chasing the Rodeo W. K. Stratton follows this quest for one season of the pro rodeo and bull-riding tours. He explores the history of the chutes -- from rodeo's disputed origins (Prescott, Arizona, or Pecos, Texas?) to its current skyrocketing popularity. But out on the trail Stratton finds more than calf-roping and unrideable bulls, uncovering a culture complete with myths, codes of honor, million-dollar purses, Cowboy Church, and the kinds of legends that make good stories unforgettable.
Just such a story emerges here as Stratton tells of his runaway "rodeo bum" father --Cowboy Don -- whose specter haunts his travels on the circuit. As he learns more about the life that proved too seductive for his father to abandon, Stratton fills in a portrait of the man he never knew but whose legacy he couldn't help but inherit.
Filled with cowboy longing and rodeo dreams, this is a tribute to the characters of the West -- Freckles Brown, Lucille Mulhall (the first cowgirl), Wild Bill Hickock, Lane Frost, and today's superstars like Jesse Bail. In the great tradition of Wallace Stegner and Ken Kesey, W. K. Stratton fashions an expansive tale out of the gritty reality of the life around us. Chasing the Rodeo is a bucking, riveting, glorious ride -- you'll want to hang on for the whole go-round.
Customer Reviews:
Call of the wild . . ........2007-08-21
While rodeo insiders may find fault with this book and quibble over details, it remains an excellent introduction to the history, the personalities, and the meaning of this sport as it's evolved over the past century. Stratton, a journalist based in Austin, TX, with roots in Oklahoma, comes by his "kicker" credentials fairly enough - his mother a cowgirl in her own right and his father a rodeo cowboy who went on down the road and never came back. Stratton's book is a personal journey, a search for an understanding of the romance of rodeo - the call of the wild in the soul, the appeal of risk-taking, the love of a past that can be recaptured for a moment in a beautifully executed ride on a bucking horse or bull. And he does much to reclaim the essentials of a pastoral ritual that has been compromised by commercialism, corporate sponsorships, and marketing that positions it as an extreme sport.
Stratton covers some familiar ground that will not be new for all readers, but many stories deserve retelling, such as that of George Fletcher at the 1911 Pendleton Roundup, the first bulldogger, Bill Pickett, and the death of champion bull rider Lane Frost. Then there is an account of the first rodeo "cowgirl," Lucille Mulhall and of Indian cowboy Will Sampson, who played Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." In Prescott, AZ, he has occasion to recall at length the rodeo film "Junior Bonner" with Steve McQueen.
There is a wide array of other personalities who find their way into Stratton's book: Justin McBride, Will Rogers, Tom Mix, Willie Nelson, Jack Kerouac, Ben Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, and evangelist Susie Luchsinger. He gets closest to the sport itself in conversations with all-around champion Jesse Bail and bullriding champion Freckles Brown. The first-chapter account of Brown's famous ride on Tornado at the National Finals in 1967 just takes your breath away. Finally there is the search for the story of Stratton's absent cowboy father, which rounds out the book with more than a little poignance. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone curious about rodeo, the fascination it holds for both fans and participants, and its place in American popular culture.
Exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike.......2005-11-04
Rodeo's roots may be in the primitive West of the past, but today it's prime-time TV material, even while steeped in tradition, filled with pros and tours. Journalist W.K. Stratton followed the pro rodeo circuit for one year, exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike. His findings about the people and politics of today's rodeo make for lively reading in Chasing The Rodeo: On Wild Rides And Big Dreams, Broken Hearts And Broken Bones, And One Man's Search For The West. A spirited account of today's wild riders.
Rodeo: Universality of the American West.......2005-09-19
Having grown up in Texas, I easily recognize many names and places and am quite familiar with rodeos. W.K. Stratton brilliantly blends the romantic lure of the rodeo as an expression of the American West with the univeral theme of the quest for identity. The book is a delightful mixture of colorful characters, amusing anecdotes, and sad stories. Mr. Stratton's personal quest mirrors that of all, not just those familiar with the sport or the region. His story's appeal lies in the universality of each human's struggles with issues of identity, values, and sense of place. I heartily recommend Chasing the Rodeo to anyone who appreciates a book that both transports one to another time and place and allows one the opportunity to be inspired by another's personal journey through life.
This book deserves a buckle........2005-05-18
**For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?** "Kip" Stratton has written a winner of a book, here. I felt it appropriate to begin this review with that familiar biblical quote, although "Chasing The Rodeo" is about the search for soul as well as about its diminution. What I mean by "soul" in this context is that which makes us part of society as well as unique individuals within it. Stratton's father, whom he never met, was a bull rider. Stratton's literal search for his father is overlaid onto his broader search for the soul of the rodeo and the American West.
As this book makes clear, the towns that hold rodeos provide an essential part of its unique character. Moving the National Finals Rodeo from Oklahoma, which is steeped in Rodeo tradition, to Las Vegas is symbolic of the sacrifce of soul for that most America of obsessions, making money. Character is also lost when things are made safe and sanitary, and when elements that are foreign are incorporated into a thing in order to make it "accessible" to a wider audience. Early in the book, Stratton frets about being "a generic, white bread American" but learns that the "Kicker Culture" is as much a part of him as it is of the Rodeo. I grew up in a small town in North Texas and will tell you that the "Kicker Culture" ain't pretty and it ain't sanitary or even safe, but it is genuine. There are parts of it that should be eschewed entirely, but never "prettied up."
Stratton obviously spent a great deal of time researching this book. It is chock-full of the people and places that make up this sport and their history. At the same time, he does not blink from calling racism what it is or identifying as bovine scat some of the aspects of recent Rodeo venues. He may offend some folks in doing so. But to be less than honest in his assessment of these things would certainly diminish the soul of the book.
A classic American tale.......2005-05-13
In these fractious times, it is a joy to come across a book that embraces something as distinctly American as the rodeo. W.K. Stratton has delivered a handsomely-rendered treasure for every man who ever wanted to be a cowboy and every woman who ever wanted to be a cowboy's sweetheart. He traces the origins of rodeoing, takes us to this wild sport's biggest events, and introduces us to the kind of outsized characters it is hard to believe still exist. So here's to Freckles Brown, the rodeo clown who rode the fiercest bull in captivity, and to Jesse Bail, the spiritual descendant of Larry Mahan and Ty Murray and all the great rodeo riders who preceded him. And here's to Stratton himself, the son of a rodeo bum, who weaves the search for traces of his father into the larger tale he is telling without ever getting thrown by it. He stayed in the saddle, and by doing so, he has given readers a chance for the ride of their lives.
Product Description
Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart, a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men, offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful ... and dead. God designed men to be dangerous, says Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in every boy's heart: to be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires---aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It's no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be---dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.
Customer Reviews:
Life Changing.......2007-08-23
Waking the Dead is the most life changing book this side of the Bible I've ever read. In many ways it makes the Bible come more alive too. Waking the Dead returned me to the place I was at when I first became a Christian and was on fire for God... I personally think it should be part of curriculum for school children. It is that big of a deal. I've listened to it 5 times now and I'll probably listen to it again. I've never done that with a book in 39 years.
Wild at Heart is very good too, but I would say it is third best of the three.
Captivating taught me more about women than I probably learned the rest of my life. Understanding the heart and nature of a woman has transformed my relationship with women from treating them the way culture suggests or many times "they think they want" to a more Godly perspective. My relationship with my Mom and friends has changed drastically for the better. Huge difference. Treat a woman the way they were created to be treated and it is more difficult for them to respond contrary to their creeated design. This book ranks second only to Waking The Dead as books I would recommend.
Product Description
Branded Hearts By Nelissa Donovan When Lily Whitman agrees to a wager with her two single cousins to abandon her prim and proper ways and go after the first man who "trips her trigger", she knows she's finally fallen off the deep end of loneliness. There's always the hope that Nic or Bri will welch first. Lily just has to wait them out. In Big Sky Montana. On a working dude ranch. Surrounded by big and beefy, hard-bitten, real-life cowboys. Of course, the wrangler who trips Lily's trigger is the last type of guy she'd go for. As big and as wild as the Montana sky, ranch owner Shain Stevenson is only a shade less cultured and refined than grain alcohol—and just as flammable. As is the atmosphere of the Red Bear Ranch where, Lily discovers, things are not always what they seem. Hearts Afire By Patrice Michelle Book 3 in the BAD IN BOOTS series, but may easily be read as a stand-alone story. One man: a hot, seductive cowboy who smells of leather and fresh outdoors and who's more than willing to take a woman on the ride of her life. One woman: a sexy, petite firecracker whose emerald gaze and silky black hair can make even an angel want to sin. The mystery: a steamy chance encounter, a burned-out barn, and a potential killer on the loose, waiting to strike. Wild - Wild Hearts By Cheyenne McCray When Nicole Landford makes a bet with her cousins to go after the first man who "trips her trigger", little does she know that she's in for the ride of her life. Unfortunately it's with the last man on earth she wants to be with. Kev Grand's had his eye on Nicole for years. Now that he has her attention, he's got more than his hands full with the wild thing who claims her heart's not up for grabs. Not if Kev has anything to do with it. He intends to tame Nicole's wild heart and make her his for keeps. Note: Wild Hearts is loosely connected to the Wild series, but may easily be read as a stand-alone story.
Download Description
Branded Hearts By Nelissa Donovan When Lily Whitman agrees to a wager with her two single cousins to abandon her prim and proper ways and go after the first man who "trips her trigger", she knows she's finally fallen off the deep end of loneliness. There's always the hope that Nic or Bri will welch first. Lily just has to wait them out. In Big Sky Montana. On a working dude ranch. Surrounded by big and beefy, hard-bitten, real-life cowboys. Of course, the wrangler who trips Lily's trigger is the last type of guy she'd go for. As big and as wild as the Montana sky, ranch owner Shain Stevenson is only a shade less cultured and refined than grain alcohol-and just as flammable. As is the atmosphere of the Red Bear Ranch where, Lily discovers, things are not always what they seem. Hearts Afire By Patrice Michelle One man: a hot, seductive cowboy who smells of leather and fresh outdoors and who's more than willing to take a woman on the ride of her life. One woman: a sexy, petite firecracker whose emerald gaze and silky black hair can make even an angel want to sin. The mystery: a steamy chance encounter, a burned-out barn, and a potential killer on the loose, waiting to strike. In order to solve the mystery, Sabrina must take on a man with a passion for fire, and Josh is just the kind of man who wants to make her burn. Wild - Wild Hearts By Cheyenne McCray When Nicole Landford makes a bet with her cousins to go after the first man who "trips her trigger", little does she know that she's in for the ride of her life. Unfortunately it's with the last man on earth she wants to be with. Kev Grand's had his eye on Nicole for years. Now that he has her attention, he's got more than his hands full with the wild thing who claims her heart's not up for grabs. Not if Kev has anything to do with it. He intends to tame Nicole's wild heart and make her his for keeps.
Customer Reviews:
Cowboys, Suspense and Paranormal All in One.......2006-02-20
Well, I did list the most important element first - Cowboys - mmmmmm....So recently I've gained an all-new appreciation for cowboys due to the "Promises" books by Sarah McCarty (check it out if it inerests you, I loved them!) and searched for even more thrilling and emotionally engaging bronc riding hunks to fill my reading hours. I love shorts, or anthologies, as well and was excited to find this one "Hearts are Wild", with two stories by authors I already like. The concept for the anthology is great, about three cousins who make a bet to each have a no-holds barred relationship with the first man who "trips her trigger". Each author tells one of the cousins sexy stories. While I saw three distinct writing styles in all of them, each author did a stellar job of keeping the plots (yes, I said plots!) cohesive. So, what happens when three very different women make such a bold and daring bet? Well, it's like a game of poker, one where hearts are wild...
"Hearts Afire" by Patrice Mitchell - Sabrina is visiting her best friend, Elise, from college at the Lonestar ranch in Texas. Fully prepared, but in no hurry, to find her "trigger tripper", she's still not expecting the sexy cowboy that comes on to her. The worst part though is he thinks she's Elise! When danger strikes at the ranch, Sabrina has no choice but to turn to the sexy man for protection, and maybe a little R&R western style as well. - I was very excited to discover this short, simply because it is the sequel to "Bad in Boots: Colt's Choice", a full length book by Mitchell that I really enjoyed. A lot of questions I had from that book were wrapped up and answered in this short. Josh and Sabrina burn up the local countryside with their passion and I for one loved their relationship. Despite the bet, Sabrina handled their affair with obvious love and Josh (siiiiggghhh), well, who wouldn't want to have their body guarded by such a fine male speciman? Very good descriptive details of the countryside made me feel like I was there. I strongly suggest reading "Colt's Choice" first and then this sequel. Both are good, but Mitchell did an even better job with "Hearts Afire".
"Wild Hearts" by Cheyenne McCray - Nicole Landford is the relationship daredevil of the three cousins. Fully anticipating her part in their bet, she takes on the challenge with genuine excitement. She's engaged two close friends to aid her in her search for her "trigger tripper" but her plans fall apart on her way to meet them. Stuck with a broke down car on a lonely dirt road, she's certainly in need of some help, just not from the closest rancher, Kev Grand. Kev's had his eye on the sprited woman for a while now, and when he finds her in need of help on his property, well, the help will be on his terms - finally. He's got Nicole right where he wants her and he's going to show her just how far his want goes. - Being that Nicole is the wild child of the three cousins, I thought it so appropriate that McCray wrote her story. McCray's style was perect for conveying the all-consuming passion that existed between Kev and Nicole. There's just the right level of kinky in her writing to spice up Nicole's story. Kev was the perfect man to somewhat tame the fiery woman. Eventually they see eye to eye on what matters most. A really fun pair to read about.
"Branded Hearts" by Nelissa Donovan - Lily Whitman is the "good girl" of the three cousins. Nicole is fairly certain the proper young lady hasn't been laid in, well, a very long time. Hoping her two cousins will welch on the bet, she nevertheless takes them up on their opportunity to experience a dude ranch in Montana. It doesn't take long for Lily to meet the man that trips her trigger and the shame of the matter is that he doesn't seem to trust her. Something bizarre is happening at the Red Bear Ranch, and owner Shain Stevenson has had enough. Determined to find the person responsible for illegal searches on his property, he still finds it impossible to resist his beautiful blonde guest. Something tells him she's special, important...- This short is where some paranormal elements figure in. Shain and his sister have a very interesting American Indian background that makes for an intiguing and mysterious plot line. Lily's role in the mystery is cleverly done. Her relationship with Shain is directly related to and affected by it. While satisfied with the story, I did wish it had been a little longer. The way it was left off has me hoping author Donovan is planning more after this one.
A MUST READ!!.......2005-03-06
What do you get when you mix three women who are fed up with getting the third degree about their current single status by their well-meaning, single at the age of 55, meddling aunt, a thirty-day pact with four rules (one of them being to "go for the first man who trips their trigger"), three 100% alpha-male, scrumptiously delicious cowboys, and three fabulous romantica authors who know how to make their characters and story line explode off of the pages? Lucky for you ladies, you'll find the answer when you get your copy of this nothing-less-than-scorching anthology "Hearts Are Wild" by Patrice Michelle, Cheyenne McCray, and Nelissa Donovan.
HEARTS AFIRE by Patrice Michelle -- 5 stars -- http://www.patricemichelle.com/
Saddle up ladies! You're in for the ride of your life when you read how this sexy cowboy teaches his lady to ride a horse. This thrilling and scorchingly sexy cowboy story, penned by the magnificently talented Patrice Michelle will set your "Hearts Afire". The humorous, always sexy, deep, and loving characters, and the suspenseful, intriguing, and masterfully written multi-layered plot had me guessing what would happen next, and wishing I had my very own cowboy to quench the blazing inferno of lust this story ignited.
It's a case of mistaken identity, lust at first site, and love at second when Sabrina Gentry takes a long overdue vacation at the Lonestar Ranch. Thoughts of lassoing the sexy, hard bodied, leather scented cowboy run through her mind, and quickly turn into a reality that takes her down a path she never thought she would take, one that forces her to face her fears, and one that eventually will have her feeling more secure and loved than she's ever felt before. Josh Turner could do with a little soul healing too, he knows he has Sabrina's body, but he wants more than that, and once he faces down the demons of his past, he is able to secure his present and future happiness, Sabrina's heart, soul, and body.
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WILD HEARTS by Cheyenne McCray -- 5 stars -- http://www.cheyennemccray.com/
I hope you're up for a little bareback, because I'm pretty sure that this fast-paced sexual romp is what they mean when they say "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy"! Nicole is a hardheaded spitfire, and Kev is a demanding, possessive, dominant to the core, 100% alpha-male cowboy, and together they absolutely sizzle off the pages, and that makes for a blisteringly hot erotic story with quick-witted, brazenly bold, and hilarious characters! Now if only they can tame their "Wild Hearts" they'll both get what they want most out of life.
Who knew taking a wrong turn could turn out so right? Nicole Landford, unabashedly, loves no-strings-attached sex, but when the first man to "trip her trigger" is Kev Grant, the cocksure pain in the ass who, ever since elementary school, amused himself by arguing with her, she gets her hackles up and tries to resist the temptation of fulfilling her part of the pact with a month of wild and uninhibited sex with him ...someone probably should have told her that resistance is futile. Nicole's short lived resistance turns to pool of molten lava when Kev ignores her weak words of denial and listens instead to her body begging for the carnal pleasures only he could give her. Kev has waited a very long time for his chance with Nicole, and now that he's had her, he's never letting her go. Now all he has to do is convince the stubborn spitfire that she wants the same thing.
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BRANDED HEARTS by Nelissa Donovan -- 5 stars -- http://www.nelissadonovan.com/
Shaine and Lily's story has enough spiritual mysticism to make even the hardest hearts believe in happily ever after, and I have a feeling there might be more of this spiritually supernatural, multi-layered story to be told. Lily isn't the bad girl that she starts off trying hard to be, and I found it heart wrenching when the fear of Shain breaking her heart comes through the pages loud and clear. Shaine is another 100% alpha-male cowboy who sears Lily's heart and soul, and soothes it when he finally embraces, and shares with her, his heritage.
When Lily Whitman, dressed like a bad girl out for a good time, arrives in Wolf Springs, Montana she stops for a bit of liquid courage before arriving at the Red Bear Ranch for some "hands-on" dude ranch experience. She soon comes face to face with her trigger-tripping tormentor, Shain Stevenson, and he indulges, what he thinks is, Lily's here-for-a-good time attitude when his penchant for spanking her ass turns into sexual romp neither one of them will soon forget. Danger and magic are in the air, and someone, or something, is trying to find an ancient artifact on the Red Bear Ranch, and will stop at nothing to attain it. And Shain is about to find out is that his gilded Lily isn't the "wham bam thank you ma'am" kind of woman he thought she was, but a woman just looking to give a little love, and as long as she keeps giving all of that love to him, nothing else matters.
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Patrice Michelle consistently writes phenomenal stories, and this third in the "Bad in Boots"series -"Hearts Afire" is no exception, and I will be looking, impatiently, forward to the rest of the Bad in Boots series! This was my first time reading a Cheyenne McCray book, and now I'm wondering how I missed this fabulous author, but I can tell you, however, that "Wild Hearts" will not be my last! "Branded Hearts" by Nelissa Donovan was another magnificent first for me, and I would love to read more about the Red Bear Ranch and inhabitants, past, present and future, perhaps Nhya's story will come next? My only complaint about these three magnificent stories is that they had to come to an end.
Christine, eCataRomance Reviews
www.ecataromance.com
http://www.ellorascave.com/index.asp
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Books Index
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