Through a Man's Eyes

Through a Man's Eyes: Helping Women Understand the Visual Nature of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn and Craig Gross

     This is an educational read. My non-fiction for the year, as I like to call it, although I have been learning to appreciate non-fiction a little more each month so you may hear more from me yet. But as far as Through a Man's Eyes goes, I would almost say it was riveting - as riveting as non-fiction can get.

     We've all seen or heard of those books that open with a warning. Something along the lines of "Don't read this book, unless...you want to die a dastardly death".

     Or something.

     This book opens with a warning as well. Not quite so foreboding as that, but foreboding in its own way. At the same time, it's a warning that I can - and do - appreciate very much. Well-placed, well-timed, and well-worded:

     "Before we get started we want to ask you to do one thing: make sure you are ready or able to read this book. If you are feeling ultra-vulnerable, very scared, or already resentful at the idea of learning what it means that men are visual...please don't read this book right now. Come back to it another time."

     And they're not being silly or childish. The topic they're approaching is touchy, controversial, and hard to swallow at best, especially with people having their guard up extra high now, or so it seems. I read through it whether I was ready to or not, and I hope I was, because I found it very insightful. Very truthful. And most of all, helpful.

     I won't review it in as much detail because the title is self-explanatory for the most part, but I will say that the lessons therein built my empathy, my understanding, and my self-respecting ideals. Shaunti and Craig do not try tell you how to live, but they do suggest how you might like to live in light of some key truths. They are not trying to force anything down anyone's throat - hence their timely warning - and they are not placing blame on anyone or anything.

     Through a Man's Eyes is meant to be insightful, and entirely at the reader's own discretion. How you take it will depend entirely upon how you see it.

--Elise--

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