Gurian Book On Boys Wins Positive Reviews
No doubt about it, boys are pretty wonderful creatures.
That’s the message that Spokane author/counselor Michael Gurian has been preaching in 15 cities over the past five weeks while on tour to promote his new book, “The Wonder of Boys” (Tarcher, $24.95).
And if positive reaction is any indication, Gurian clearly has tapped into an area of concern for many people.
“I guess it’s becoming quite the thing,” Gurian says of the book. “It’s already in its second printing, and it’s only been out a month.”
Gurian poses many questions. Given the value of boys, why do we as a culture treat them so callously? Or, at the very least, with so little regard to their masculine needs?
In his book, Gurian makes a case for gender-specific direction in a world of changing, often confusing, values. In many ways, what Gurian is calling for is a redefinition of the catch-phrase family values.
We’re all responsible for our boys, he says.
As for such traditional aggression outlets as sports, our attitudes need to be rewired; the emphasis should be placed on responsible behavior along with competitive fire.
Above all, we as a society need to recognize that gender differences exist in biology, and we ignore them at our peril - or at the peril of our boys.
Gurian has explored a number of gender-based themes in such previous books as “The Prince and the King” and “Mothers, Sons & Lovers.” A former columnist for The Spokesman-Review, he has become a national authority much in demand at seminars and workshops all over the country.
“The Wonder of Boys,” he says, is receiving mostly good reviews from the national press. Witness this blurb from Publisher’s Weekly, for example: “Writing in a calm, compassionate voice, Gurian delivers a compelling call to action.”
He’s been interviewed by Time magazine, and USA Today is preparing a major article, he says. Only the Washington Post offered a negative view.
“The Washington Post just slaughtered it,” he said with a laugh. “It was kind of interesting.”
He’s hoping for a kinder reception in Spokane. And, based on his circle of friends - which includes several founding members of the Inland Northwest Men’s Evolvement Network - he likely will get it.
“It would be great to get a crowd,” he says. “Everywhere I’ve been, there’s been a lot of people talking about what’s happening with their boys.
“There’s a lot of caring, concerned folks. And I’m sure we have a lot here in Spokane, too.”
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: READING SCHEDULED Michael Gurian will read from his book “The Wonder of Boys” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.