A Man's Journey to Simple Abundance

by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sarah Ban Breathnach wanted to offer men the same reflective book that she offered women in Simple Abundance. Yet, she also knew that she needed a man to help her represent an authentic male experience, a book that mined beneath the "Men Are from Mars" stereotypes and "Iron John" expectations. So she joined forces with Michael Segell, former "Men's Mind" columnist for Esquire and author of Standup Guy. From there, the duo gathered these contemplative, humorous, and mature essays written by a diverse sampling of men, including a backwoods hermit, mystical rabbi, and world renowned rock star.

Segell writes the poignant introductions to the essays while Ban Breathnach inserts her personal responses at the end of particularly provocative essays. At times she sounds like an interloper in a "boy's only" tree fort club, her comments sounding out of place within these private moments of male bonding. Yet she forces readers, men and women alike, to acknowledge the feminine within the male experience, a lofty goal that we tend to resist. Contributors include Sting, who talks about the difference between thrill seeking and risk taking in "Let Your Soul Be Your Rookie." Adventure writer Tim Cahill writes about "The Bravest Thing I Ever Did"--face his panic disorder as his vomited his way through an un-aired television interview. And Thomas Moore speaks to the ecstasy of melding spirituality and sexuality. --Gail Hudson

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality, Inspirational

Audio CD

First published June 4, 2000

About the author

In addition to SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, Sarah Ban Breathnach is the author of THE SIMPLE ABUNDANCE JOURNAL OF GRATITUDE, SOMETHING MORE, and MRS. SHARP'S TRADITIONS. She currently resides in California. Please visit her website at www.simpleabundance.com.

Reviews

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reason I read this is because Sarah Ban Breathnach's breakthrough book, Simple Abundance, was groundbreaking in its simplicity and beauty. I was disappointed this didn't live up to the standard set by the other book.

It falls into the pothole that captures many anthologies: inconsistent quality of contributions.

That said, some of the essays give such wowser moments that they make wading through the rest of the muck worthwhile. One essay makes the collection worth buying. It's on conscience ("The Burden of Truth" by Greg Marinovich). This essay alone makes it a keeper despite the book's two-star rating. (Books normally need to be four stars or above for me to keep them.)

If it grabs your attention, pick it up and you'll find some enjoyable moments — but those points of pleasure are hard to find.

[Nenad Knezevic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the essays in this book were a joy to read: thoughtfully written and frank. I would've given it 5 stars were it not for the annoying structure: Sarah Ban Breathnach's personal thoughts and comments are inserted after each essay, telling the reader what she liked about it. I saw no use for those other than to validate the book cover which lists her as the book's author. Strange.

[Summer Sterling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the commentaries by SBB on every essay to be unnecessary. Why choose to write about what every author chose to write about?!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2004 wrote: A very interesting read, with contributions from many modern minds. What is it to be man? Do boys never grow up and is the answer ever really found? Do we beat ourselves up too much under pressures of society? Seems this book has captured every true-life male role model I have ever had, including the things that I admire within myself. The book claims you will understand yourself more by the end, but I think I came out understanding my father, my brother, my friends and my grandfathers more. But maybe in understanding them, I will begin to undersatnd myself. I think I might hand this book to whomever I may someday ask to marry and ask her to read it. Ladies, check it out; you may understand our tireless efforts towards molding ourselves.

[Aminul Haque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book compiles reflections from men who have lived life and come across the challenges/experiences that every reflective man faces. A book that should be kept somewhere within reach. I read this book a few times - in my thirties and forties. I read it when I was a young professional and again when I was a new dad. I feel like this is a book I can hand down to my sons who are now stepping into the threshold of manhood. This is a book about one's calling, sense of self and sense of achievement, and about the call for humility throughout life.

I only wish there was a sequel to this book. Our world has changed so much, and a man's role in the world has become so much convoluted in the last decade.

[Danny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an odd book. I picked it up at Half Priced Books, because I read a couple of the essays and thought 'hmm, pretty interesting.'

Roughly half of the essays did turn out to be intersting, but the other were strange or felt oddly out of place.

The book is a compilation of essays from writers, musicians and other influential people on the different experiences of being a man and living happily.

The problem is that I don't think the promise delivered. The hit or miss essays were so, but the commentary from Sarah Ban Breathnach was mostly unitelligible and unnecessary. It actually detracted from the book for me.

All in all a 2.5 stars.

[Dottie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I actually abandoned this book partially read. IT can't hold a candle to Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance -- the ubiquitous pink book which exploded into such a phenomenon in my opinion. I think it would take a male viewpoint to match that -- this book is a differnt animal -- and it seemed a bit flat to me -- but of course I'm not male so that is a big factor.

[Danni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book ok, but it wasn't what I expected.

[Mark Holencik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections from different men on different subjects purpose, loyalty, being a hermit, work, relationships... and the events that shaped them.