Here is the full text of two Editorial Reviews that have been in the Catholic press over the past couple of months, together with a review that was sent to us by Richard G, who organises Post Alpha talks in his local Parish. Richard has run a prayer group in his beautiful 18th century farm house home for some 15 years.
The first two reviews appear in part on our Amazon page (go to http://www.amazon.com/ and type Where Are All The Men into Books Title.
Catholic Herald May 2011: “Books in Brief”
“Where are all the Men?”
This timely and important book asks two fundamental but related questions: why don’t more men commit themselves to God, and why don’t more men commit to marriage? These two issues are intrinsically related, according to the authors. It is men’s refusal to commit to God that also weakens the marriage bond. With chapters on Paul’s view on marriage and a couple’s roles, this is a
great book.
Catholic Herald June 2011: Francis Phillips Column
Where are All the Men? By Garry & Ellen Duguid. Amazon. £7.50 plus p+p. The joint authors of this book have been married for 47 years. In today’s society this is a significant achievement, but what makes the book worth reading is its thoughtful appraisal of what marriage is meant to mean for Christians, particularly men, and what specific gifts God designs men and women to bring to their marriage. They make it clear that a damaged relationship with God or family members during childhood will cause its own damage later on in adult life, when the pattern is replicated. In Ellen’s childhood God was seen as punitive rather than loving; her father drank and priestly sermons were always negative: “Thou shalt not…” Garry came from an undemonstrative household in which, although stable and caring, he was never told that he was loved.
When they met and married, Ellen soon gave birth to a disabled son which brought its own burden and stress to their fragile relationship. Garry admits that he remained a ‘bachelor’ in his heart and Ellen became ill as the result of feeling “an emotional and spiritual widow.” Yet unlike so many marriages, the Duguid’s came to experience the healing grace of God’s love and a deepened understanding of the love they bore each other. This has resulted in a ministry to others, helping individuals and couples discover a similar healing process for themselves. Although the combined authorship means the structure and narrative of the book is somewhat confusing, there are many wise insights within its pages, not least that a marriage will only truly blossom when God, experienced as loving and merciful, is at its heart.
Richard G: “Post Alpha” Organiser and Prayer Group Leader
Where are all the Men? by Garry and Ellen Duguid
I found this a stimulating thoughtprovoking and challenging book which asked some difficult questions especially to men in marriage and answered some of them by the witness of the authors in their own marriage as well as giving practical advice.
The book illustrated how powerful the Christian vows of marriage are when they are lived out in everyday life. One key to a spiritually enriched marriage is ‘ commitment’ a word used twice on the front cover of the book. If we commit ourselves to the marriage and to God, with a real desire to tap into all the graces blessings and other resources that God desires of our marriage, then He will sustain and enhance it in such wonderful ways.
There is very good teaching on God’s view of marriage, God’s love and human love and how we can make marriage work very well when we allow God to guide us and protect us and generally cooperate with His divine plan for us.
Ellen and Garry Duguid share the journey of their own marriage in this book to demonstrate the reality of the message behind the book.
I recommend the book for those who want to enhance their marriages through putting God at the centre of their married lives. July 2011
