cover image Into the Wilds: The Dangerous Truth Every Man Needs to Know

Into the Wilds: The Dangerous Truth Every Man Needs to Know

Brent Alan Henderson. Whitaker, $15.99 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978-1-64123-004-9

Henderson, director of MenMinistry.org, passionately implores men not to be afraid of a full engagement with God. He begins with the story of the hunting expedition that made him reconsider his spirituality. Believing he could simply purchase the right equipment and successfully hunt caribou in Alaska, Henderson found himself at the mercy of nature when a storm surrounded the expedition’s small plane. Luckily, the pilot asked for help on the radio and was able to land on a private runway. The moment broke through his shell of confidence and made him realize that even the strongest men must be willing to ask for help. Taking that up as his mission, he embarked on a plan to take what he’d “learned from the wilds of nature” and apply it to everyday life. The book is filled with examples from his own experiences, mostly gleaned during mishaps on trips (such as near-death moments at Holgate Glacier in Alaska and in the snake-filled plains of Indiana) as well as famous historical expeditions, such as the Endurance Expedition in Antarctica, that illustrate biblical lessons on topics such as humility and overcoming envy. Much of the book is focused on exploring male friendships and Henderson leans heavily on outdoorsy analogies: “Hooking a halibut is a lot like disciplining a man.” Christian outdoorsmen will enjoy this brawny book. (Mar.)