Lori S. (Dreamwords) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
I love John Eldredge's books, so I was extremely excited to get this book for women. I stood in line for quite a while to get one of the first copies available. I was disappointed in the book, in a huge way.
Instead of embracing all types of femininity, the book pushes one toward the single type preferred by the authors: a strong woman who is nothing like "Martha" (both Martha Stewart and the Martha in the Bible who was working in the kitchen while her sister, Mary, was relaxing at Jesus' feet).
Passages like this one bother me: "For a woman to unveil her beauty means she is offering her heart. Not primarily her works or her usefulness (think Martha in the kitchen). Offering her presence. At family gatherings, my (Staci's) mother hid in the kitchen. She cooked and baked and prepared and served and cleaned and for the life of us, we couldn't get her out of there. We wanted her to share her life with us, not just her efforts. She wouldn't come. And we were less because of it."
Perhaps the mother was showing love in the way she was most talented. Why couldn't anyone join her in the kitchen and offer HER their presence?
Instead of embracing all types of femininity, the book pushes one toward the single type preferred by the authors: a strong woman who is nothing like "Martha" (both Martha Stewart and the Martha in the Bible who was working in the kitchen while her sister, Mary, was relaxing at Jesus' feet).
Passages like this one bother me: "For a woman to unveil her beauty means she is offering her heart. Not primarily her works or her usefulness (think Martha in the kitchen). Offering her presence. At family gatherings, my (Staci's) mother hid in the kitchen. She cooked and baked and prepared and served and cleaned and for the life of us, we couldn't get her out of there. We wanted her to share her life with us, not just her efforts. She wouldn't come. And we were less because of it."
Perhaps the mother was showing love in the way she was most talented. Why couldn't anyone join her in the kitchen and offer HER their presence?
Melissa (sugarbaby) -
Helpful Score: 5
Beautifully written book. It explores the emotional and spiritual (and sometimes physical) wounds women hold - often from childhood - and how to start the healing process. John & Stasi delve into the woman's soul together, and there are viewpoints from both the woman's and man's perspective.
Very strong biblical references, with a focus on strengthening your relationship with God, and realizing your inner beauty.
I would heartily recommend this book for ANY woman that is feeling alone, weary, confused...or just plain ugly. Also for any MAN that wants to understand how his woman thinks & feels.
Very strong biblical references, with a focus on strengthening your relationship with God, and realizing your inner beauty.
I would heartily recommend this book for ANY woman that is feeling alone, weary, confused...or just plain ugly. Also for any MAN that wants to understand how his woman thinks & feels.
Hannah S. (CountryGoalie) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
It definitely has its merits and certain points that it makes well, but the book as a whole was slightly unsettling to me. I just can't seem to put my finger on it. For a discerning Christian who can filter through what is part of the modern *liberal* Christian viewpoint, and what is truly Biblically expounded upon... I can recommend it. Elsewise, I'm not so sure.
Helpful Score: 4
I found this book to be too liberal for my taste. I also was put off by the statement that the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman only sets us for failure and that the church is teaching women wrong by teaching that their role is to serve.
Jo Ellen C. (jojo13) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be life-changing. Reading it leads you to letting God heal wounds of the past, finding out that you are truly beloved of God and drawing nearer to God in all ways.
I HIGHLY recommend it to all women and to men who want to understand women better.
I HIGHLY recommend it to all women and to men who want to understand women better.
Kathie G. (prtyof10) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Stasi is married to John which I only have to believe she believes the same as he. The one thing I can say about this writer (her husband) is that he believes that God is not in control of the future. Do your own research. So be careful what you learn from. I don't recommend any of their books.
Helpful Score: 1
If there was one book made to be required reading for women/girls, other than the Bible, this should be it. It is truly life changing! Pointing out the worth, beauty and significance of women, Captivating gives God's ladies permission to be feminine and shows them why it's glorifying to Him as well as joyful and satisfying to us!
Helpful Score: 1
every woman should read. spiritual:christian book
Michelle S. (saphyreskyes) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book reaches into every woman's heart and speaks to the little girl that lives there. A glimpse of how God might really look at his daughters, it sheds a new light on a woman's personal relationship with her Creator. It changed my life from the inside.
John & Stasi are a couple -- who have endured and suffered through the grief journey after losing a dear friend. Most of the Eldredge books are aimed at men's interest. This one is for women.....and very well done. I would encourage all women to read it.
Mark H. (recyclist1954) -
This book offers insight into a woman's heart and soul and offers every woman the opportunity to find herself among the examples and stories told on its pages. Within this book there is also healing, hope and the support that comes from knowing you are not alone in these needs, these wants, these dreams, these desires. And yet, but loving God and letting God love you, you can find within you and within God the answer to all of your questions and, most importantly, the singular Question.
Jenn G. (makemineblue) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 13 more book reviews
have always loved this book! Well-written, encouraging and uplifting. I don't agree with every single little statement she makes but over all, I was pleased and would recommend it to any woman i know.
Faith based book to recapture the woman's broken heart.
Get ready to have your eyes opened! This book is outstanding and freeing for every single woman ever created...I have given 5 copies out and are in rotation with many of my friends and family and I have read the book twice so far. Please read it!
Great book!! Re-read several times.
Judy M. (nursejudy) - , reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 56 more book reviews
Not as great as I thought it would be. A lot of movie references, would rather see more scripture in it.
Cresanna K. (Cresanna) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 20 more book reviews
Incredible! Life-changing! Every woman needs to read this book!
wonderful book that I am enjoying reading and working through understanding myself in.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 1728 more book reviews
Great read, wonderful in getting right into the heart of things. You will learn alot and really have the opportunity to grow. A really good read.
every women....heck...every man should be required to read!
This book taught me a lot about God and myself as a woman. It shows how woman reflect the character of God. It definitely caused me to grow closer to God and made me fall more in love with Him.
Kayce H. (kayceh) - , reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 62 more book reviews
I loved this book! Amazing depiction of the beauty of a woman's soul. It definitely made me think! One of my faves and one of the very few books that I won't be swapping :)
Wonderful
Excellent book!
If you truly are the woman who identifies with the "every little girl wants to be a princess" idea then this book is for you. If that wasn't you as a child then this book will be a disappointment. They start in the first chapter telling women that if they don't identify with the statement then they're just deceiving themselves, in denial, and can't be happy until they change.
Sarah K. (riverhts) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 7 more book reviews
Very good read for women struggling with their femininity
Is great to read or to use as a group study
I'm not a huge fan of the Eldredges' style of writing, but they make some good points.
Dianne K. (hillarie) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 2 more book reviews
I'm sure that some people got a lot out of this book, but it's a bit too prosperity gospel for me.
Marcia A. (mrauga) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 41 more book reviews
great and useful book
Colleen N. (queendawg) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 20 more book reviews
This book brings healing to a woman's broken heart. Easy read and uplifting.
Dawnann (freeverse) - , reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 49 more book reviews
Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the Beauty of the story. Thos desires are far more than child's play. They are the secret to the feminine heart.
Valerie B. (valbogert01) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 22 more book reviews
Wonderful book.
Michelle P. (SouthernChelz) reviewed Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul on + 216 more book reviews
An excellent book!
