Midlife Manual for Men: Finding Significance in the Second Half

by Stephen Arterburn and John Shore

Book Overview

In their straightforward, no-nonsense style, Arterburn and Shore examine five roles that define men's identity--he-man, son, husband, provider, and father--to help males discover new vision and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764206613
• ISBN13: 9780764206610
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

this is a great book!!

This book spoke to me! Well written, easy to read, and very applicable, a must buy for every man who is hitting the half-way point in life. I would say it is one of the top 5 books I have read in 2008. Get this book!!!

Helpful information and practical tips for coping with life's uncertainties and unexpected happening

Stephen Arterburn --- founder and chairman of New Life Ministries, the nation's largest faith-based broadcast, counseling and treatment ministry --- has penned another dynamic resource that men born between 1946 and 1964 will find encouraging, practical, inspiring and so, so funny. Arterburn, who has written over 70 books, has teamed up with fellow author John Shore to bring respite, relief and welcome reassurance to men everywhere. Whether or not an individual man is struggling with the stereotypical midlife issues, this text will be earmarked for years to come. Men will discover commonalities with one another on such themes as being a middle-aged male, harboring a he-man of the universe mentality, being a son, a husband, a provider and a father, and facing forward into the future with courage and confidence. Arterburn opens the book with an admission. His marriage of 17 years had ended; he was 46 years old and, in his words, "...as miserable as he'd ever been in his life." He writes that he was without hope and tells of being stripped of everything, including pretense and superficiality. It was just him and Jesus "fellowshipping in suffering." Fast forward six years later. Remarried and the father of a one-year-old son, Arterburn offers perspective and wise counsel for facing hard times, looking at himself accurately, and moving ahead with faith and integrity. As Arterburn and Shore point out, midlife isn't what it used to be. In the year 1800, the life expectancy for an American man was 35 years; today it's 76. The sheer increase in time factor leaves more for men to "reflect upon, adjust, or change our lives." The authors cite some characteristic "symptoms" of midlife transitioning...or midlife "crisis-ing." Men might experience depression, feel acute irritability, engage in too much "partying," unwise or extravagant spending, have an obsession with sex, or have an affair. In their He-Man of the Universe chapter, Arterburn and Shore afford readers a comical yet all-too-accurate portrayal of the "he-man" mentality, to which most men battle against succumbing. Referring to these not-so-healthy-attitudes, they list some "good riddances" with both clarity and comical asides. * Getting rid of unceasing expectation of oneself * Finishing off a crippling sense of entitlement * Making peace with emotions by not suppressing them * Casting off the lone ranger mentality of not needing anyone On the positive flip side, they suggest the following "he-man pure gold" recommendations to be adopted in place of the above. * Understanding the proper use of power * Understanding how important responsibility is * Understanding how to grow bit by bit toward maturity * Understanding how challenges and bravery fit in this world With keen wit and fun-loving personal tale-telling admissions, Arterburn and Shore offer their readers both helpful information and practical tips for coping with life's uncertainties and unexpected happenings. Readers --- males and t

Great Resource

A mid-life crisis can either make or break a man; it truly can be a time of crisis. This informative book, as well as the audio version, will help walk a man through this difficult time period. While this book is chock full of helpful information, it is also an easy read. The author does a great job in helping the reader understand what is happening and to make plans to make this 2nd half of life the best years yet!

Something to consider when entering that midlife paradigm

This audio examines the roles men play throughout their lives, such as the Son, Husband, Provider, and Father. This practical and encouraging audio gives men the tools to make the rest of their lives matter, while examining issues such as aging, fear of death, and feelings of loss or failure. The authors offer hope and show readers how they can live significant lives.

Exercises Make "Manual" Work

The Midlife Manual For Men serves as an effective guide into that too-cliched period of life where men frequently should stop for meaningful direction - but don't. Steve Arterburn and John Shore write in an entertaining, engaging style that leads readers through the roles of manhood and toward hope and significance. Readers working the exercises at each chapter's end will benefit the most because the work helps focus readers both toward who they are and who God wants them to be. For example, under "Son" the first "Things to Do" exercise is to write a brutally-honest letter to your father. This forced me to confront some of my late father's traits I didn't want to recognize, traits that he passed on to me. I wanted to remember him as a hero. The next exercise let me - it is to write a letter telling your father how much you love him and why. The authors say you can mail the second letter. Then the exercises go on to one asking how being your father's son "affected one's ideas or experiences relative to being a child of our Lord." Such exercises join the reading to leave you with the feeling that no matter what you've done wrong so far in your life there's a lot you've done right as well. I saw there's hope for a more fulfilling life in the future and how to let God lead me to that life. Shore's example of one Mr. Williams and his amazing mid-life art career stands out as a highlight of the book to me. I will not spoil the example with details - just describe it as an excellent example of how God speaks His will to every man in midlife. I believe the manual has helped draw me closer toward God's goal of using me for His will during my life's remaining days, despite what at times seemed irrelevant passages due to my own life experiences. For almost all, the book should prove most entertaining and effective.