12 Oct

Midlife Manual for Men

Posted by John Shore.

 

 

“Vulnerable, hugely personal, unconventional, funny, engaging, provocative, unvarnished, sometimes raw, Steve Arterburn gets behind the eyelids and under the skin of men in midlife. Trust me, you won’t lose interest.”
–Bob Buford, Author of Halftime and Finishing Well

“Every page of this book spoke directly to me. I laughed out loud, while at other times got really, really quiet and reflective. Since reading this book I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s helpful, practical, challenging, and worth your time.”
–Jim Burns, PhD, President, HomeWord. Author of Creating and Intimate Marriage and Confident Parenting

“What a timely book! Every man in midlife need to read this manual. It’s vulnerable, practical, and biblical. Best of all it will show you how the best is yet to come!”
–Les Parrot, PhD, Founder of RealRelationships.com, Author of Your Time-Starved Marriage

“Steve Arterburn is the most qualified man I know to speak to the life transitions of men. I have seen him live out the principles of this book with my own eyes and sought, through imitation, to navigate my journey as a man in similar ways. He has never done me wrong as a man. Join me!”
–Kenny Luck, Men’s Pastor, Saddleback Church. Author of Every Young Man, God’s Man; Risk; Dream; and Fight

“Thanks, Steve and John, for telling us to take a minute, shut off the ‘autopilot,’ and think about how to live the second half. If more men would do what the book says, the midlife crises would change to the midlife corrections and the second half could be much better than the first!”
–Dr. Henry Cloud, psychologist and author

“Finally there’s help for men at that dangerous midlife crossroad in life. Steve Arterburn and John Shore outline for us how a man can make a smooth transition through midlife and avoid the midlife crisis that ruins so many men.”
–Dave Stoop, PhD, psychologist and author
“Steve and I have shared many hours together laughing and sharing and reaching out to others. This midlife manual is full of great wisdom and will be a real help to men who want to soar through midlife rather than crash in a crisis.”
–Josh D. McDowell, author and speaker

“The middle years can often be a bewildering and even disappointing time for men. However it doesn’t have to be that way. With Steve Arterburn’s sound and clear guidance, these can be our best years. Steve combines years of experience in helping others with is own personal authenticity and a solid biblical base. You will be a better person for reading this book.”
–Dr. John Townsend, psychologist, author, and speaker

10 Responses to this post.

  1. Posted by “Mankind: The Preview” « Suddenly Christian on October 12, 2007 at 7:31 am

  2. Posted by Anonymous on October 17, 2007 at 6:09 am

  3. Posted by John Shore on October 17, 2007 at 6:15 am

    Thank you. Um. I think.

  4. Posted by The Play’s the Thing « Suddenly Christian on October 27, 2007 at 10:32 am

    [...] Mankind, the Preview [...]

  5. Posted by Burt on October 27, 2007 at 8:27 pm

    John, your gift is growing to our benefit.

  6. Posted by John Shore on October 28, 2007 at 9:23 am

    Well, that’s an extremely kind thing of you to say. Thanks, Burt.

  7. Posted by Christy (St. John's, The Healthy Spirit) on October 31, 2007 at 1:26 am

    Hey John! Long time no see! I’m glad you’re still writing and doing cool and groovy stuff! Can’t wait to read your new book. Let me know if someone does your play! Our store moved to a new, improved, larger locale right on 3rd in Chula Vista. Come see us some time! Hugs,

  8. Posted by Jessie on November 11, 2007 at 6:39 pm

    A very funny play that. It reminds me of the Screwtape Letters, which is funny because that is between demons. The character of Mickey sounds like a really good part for an actor. I’ll have to think on it for a while, I think. You do have interesting ideas about God and the world.

  9. Posted by C. Crayton on January 12, 2008 at 7:05 am

    Enjoyed it — the points and humor.
    Suggestions: 1) A funny euphemism for “hump.” Some might associate it with otherwise mannered conversations about the family dog. But try inventing an even goofier term to swap for a vulgar one.
    I do recognize your play’s gentle tone and adult audience, however.
    ( I didn’t try to explain when my preteen son heard me chuckling just now at Mickey’s disdain for the monkeys.)
    2) If Mickey and God come in colors, making God the brown one is less of a cliche than making Mickey the funny black sidekick.
    Looking forward to more of your play and your writing tips, and getting to read your books, sampled here.

  10. Posted by John Shore on January 12, 2008 at 7:22 am

    Crayton: Excellent analysis; thank you. The piece has only been performed twice: once by the San Diego Repetory Theater, and once by the chair of the theater arts dept. at Chapman College (in Spokane) and one of his students. In both instances, a black guy was cast as Mickey; the text as you read it reflects the changes I made to the dialogue to accomodate that fact. I should probably explain this in a note atop the piece, because I really, really DON’T like the idea of an assumed black sidekick. We have enough black sidekicks. My actual GOAL is to one day see God played by a “minority” woman, but we’ll see.

    The “hump” thing played very well indeed, so I don’t know. I do like that word. It’s got a great, blunt, surprising sound.

    Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to write me such a careful and thoughtful analysis. It’s nice to know someone/anyone ever reads that mini-play, of which I’m kind of proud. (I’m developing it into a three-act, actually. This’ll be Act 1.)

Comments are closed.