Book Reviews of Captivating : Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

This book brings healing to a woman's broken heart. Easy read and uplifting.

great and useful book

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.

Great book!! Re-read several times.

every women....heck...every man should be required to read!

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.

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.

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!

Wonderful book.

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.

Very good read for women struggling with their femininity

An excellent book!

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.