Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul

Blurb

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul is a book published in 2005 by John Eldredge and his wife Stasi. They claim that women have three core desires: "to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty". They also claim that God made woman as the "Crown of Creation", an embodiment of God's beauty, mystery and vulnerability. This claim has become the subject of much controversy surrounding the book, with some critics claiming that it exalts women above men in the Creation.
The book rejects the idea of an ideal woman and explores biblical scripture from the view that God desires woman to embrace her glory, rather than fear her femininity. Captivating is a companion to Wild at Heart, also by John Eldredge, and argues that its model of femininity complements men's innate desires for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.
The authors use scriptural analysis, personal experience and interviews with others as the basis for their argument. The book has received considerable criticism from people both within and outside the Christian sphere.