Tender Warrior: Every Man's Purpose, Every Woman's Dream, Every Child's Hope

Words are sometimes misunderstood and Stu Weber nails his subject with amazing accuracy!!! Highly recommended for all men. Of course my wife read it first and passed it to me and thankfully I embraced it and really found it so applicable to today’s culture.

This is an excellent and inspiring book for all men who want to be what God has called them to be. I think most men know that we're not living up to all that we could or should be, but so many of us don't know what to do about it. We're not being "real men." So many of us didn't have good role models in our own fathers, and this book can help fill in the gaps. For example, I use this book when working with young men whose wives or (more often) girlfriends are pregnant at the Crisis Pregnancy Center where my wife and I volunteer.Now, for those of you who may be thinking "Oh no, not another 'get naked and beat tribal drums' book," Weber discusses several of the "drum beating" types of books, fairly discussing their positive points but concluding that they fall way short of where they need to in their search for authentic manhood. To find what men are made to be, you have to go back to the Author himself: past one man's personal insights into himself, past ancient tribal customs, past the "old stories": to the original Author Himself. This is a very Biblically-based book, and Weber makes no apologies for that.Weber divides manhood into four divisions, which he calls King, Warrior, Mentor, and Friend. This general theme is discussed in some other books on manhood (as Weber admits) but not as Biblically as Weber does it. For example, another book calls them "blueprints" of a man: Weber says he prefers to think of them as "fingerprints" of the man's Creator.But Weber doesn't hang his entire book on these four (rather arbitrary) divisions. Weber then finds a common thread throughout all of them: Initiative. I think this idea of Initiative being the core of manhood was one of the most insightful single contributions Weber makes. To quote: "Just as a compass without a needle is not a compass, a man without Initiative is not a man." Perfect.He also very clearly shows how Initiative is not equal to being Bossy. Taking Initiative means taking initiative in helping out around the house, in saying you're sorry, in asking your wife's help, in asking "what do my wife and kids need right now that I can help with?" It's about as far from bossy or (in the tiresome language of critics) "50's Ozzie and Harriet" as you can get.Most of the rest of the book is spent working out how the four divisions of manhood and the central thread of Initiative applies to various situations and people in a man's life. The chapter "Does Anyone Here Speak 'Woman'?" is worth the price of the book.I only have two very tiny negative comments about the book. First, the war-time metaphors and examples from Weber's own life as an Army Ranger won't appeal to everybody. For myself, I enjoyed reading them and they helped, but found it difficult to relate in a few cases because I my background isn't the same. One can't fault Weber that much, though: he simply wrote as who he is.Second, I think this book would be best with an older, more mature man alongside a younger one. (I am working with two younger men right now.) It might not impact a young man as strongly if given to him if he is not able to have an older (or at least same maturity level) man come alongside him. The obvious solution: be that older man. Don't just give it to your kids: work through it with them, and encourage them to work with their friends.I also bought the audio version of this book. I have two negative comments about the audio version. First, it's only available on cassette. I wanted to give somebody a copy of it, but he can only play CDs, so I had to buy it on cassette, rip it, and burn to CD. (Yes, I did this all legally.) That was a drag, and the resulting quality is rather low. Second, the audio version is not only shorter, but actually combines two chapters from the book (9 and 10). This makes it hard to track against the book. However, it is still a positive for those who are auditory learners and have more time to listen than to read. As most men probably fall into this category, I hope the publisher will consider bringing the audio version out on CD.In summary: get this book, read it, highlight it, re-read it, work through it with your friends. And watch God turn you into the man you know you were created to be.

I am blown away by what I am reading and I am only on the second chapter. I am sending a copy to my younger brother - father on 3 Boys.

Well written book. Every husband and dad should read this book!

This book is a must-read for men that could be beneficial for generations. Stu Weber has you looking at yourself as a man, husband, and father that uses the Bible and Jesus’ life as a impactful blueprint. I plan to get copies for my 2 sons.

I can hardly believe the speed with which God's design for biblical manhood and womanhood has been decaying in American culture. I am so grateful for the legacy that my own parents have left behind for their four children, and multiple grand, and great grand children. My parents weren't perfect by any means, but they were godly and strove to be biblical in every aspect of life which nowadays is saying a ton. In a culture where idolatry, selfishness, and any semblance of character and integrity are woefully lacking - this book offers much needed help for men who take God, marriage, parenting,, and friendship seriously.Using personal examples, biblical examples, and principles based on God's design for biblical manhood exemplified in Jesus, Stu Weber has written a very good biblical manual for men to help them think and act in accordance with God's design for manhood. In a day where confusion reigns in regard to God's purpose for men and women this book gives clarity and practical teaching on the purpose, calling, meaning, and design for manhood. I highly recommend Weber's book as a helpful guide for men of any age.

This book, written by a conservative minister, had just two concepts in it that I found offensive -- that man is the "head of woman" and "that women should not lead men."Having said that, out of about 275 pages, the rest of the book had great concepts in it for what we need men to be in our culture. I mentor young adults and as a female I am concerned about all the young men I meet who were not raised with a father present -- where will they get the role models they need to become the men they were born to be. Books like this that describe how men can have deep conversations instead of just top-lining it all the time help at a time when there are few role models for young men and boys.I passed this book on to my boss who is a husband and a father and young enough to be my son and he said he would read it.It's a rare and worthwhile book.

Wow thank you amazing look at what the world needs for men to be men I would defo recommend this book if you are looking what a Real man is

It was a gift, and she like it.

p. 43 "To the degree they are balanced, the image is clear and the man and those around him flourish.To the degree they are abased and abused, the image is distorted, the man withers, and those around him experience pain."

A balanced, comprehensive view of masculinity, rich with examples, anecdotes and stats. Challenging and encouraging. I highly recommend this for every father, son, brother and husband.

Really enjoyed reading this over a couple of months. Some really practical tips and all Christ-focused allowing the reader to understand what it means to be a man in Christ.