Adam's Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation [Paperback]

Richard Rohr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Based on decades of work, travel, and experience, Rohr, a Franciscan brother and best-selling author, unearths the complexities of male spiritual maturation and helps us to understand the importance of male initiation rights in both culture and the church.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Based on decades of work, travel, and experience, Rohr, a Franciscan brother and best-selling author, unearths the complexities of male spiritual maturation and helps us to understand the importance (as well as the increasing lack thereof) of male initiation rights in both western culture and the church.

About the Author

Richard Rohr lives in Albuquerque, NM, where he is co-founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. His other bestsellers include Everything Belongs and The Enneagram (both by Crossroad).

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082452280X
• ISBN-13: 978-0824522803
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Rohr was born in Kansas in 1943. He entered the Franciscans in 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1970. He received his Master's Degree in Theology from Dayton that same year. He now lives in a hermitage behind his Franciscan community in Albuquerque, and divides his time between local work and preaching and teaching on all continents.

He has written numerous books including: Everything Belongs, Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See, On the Threshold of Transformation: Daily Meditations for Men, and Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent.

For information on all of the resources from Richard Rohr please visit the Mustard Seed Resource Center at www.cacradicalgrace.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful insights, January 15, 2006

By 

B. Thomas McCloskey (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Adam's Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation (Paperback)

This is a fantastic book with some very keen insights into the condition of men in the world today. The author began his "male initiation weekends" some twenty years ago when it was somewhat of a "fad" of the 80's to take a group of men out in a wilderness setting to "discover themselves." Richard has stayed with the process over the years and now writes of the fundamental insights which he and his team have gained in doing this kind of "men's work." Joseph Campbell made the insight years ago that young men in the United States today were severely lacking because they did not have the "initiation rites" which had been an advantage to older tribal societies. These rites introduced young men to their proper role in society so that they knew who they were, what was expected of them and their proper roles as protectors and fathers in society. Richard has risen to the challenge by creating such an experience and making it available to men all over the world for two decades. He offers some reflections on how this has developed and how men have responded to it over the years. In addition he suggests a format and some insights for regular meetings of men who are interested in personal and spiritual growth based on his experience with a group in New Mexico. As a person who has been involved in similar processes for the last thirty years, I find his reflections affirming and stimulating. My own men's group is in the process of purchasing the book and setting up a schedule to explore his material. His "five spiritual truths" are a summary of what is common and the best spiritual teachings regarding the role of men from various Christian and non-Christian traditions. I highly recommend the book for insights on a personal level or with a group of men.

45 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a book about men that hits the bullseye!, November 6, 2004

By 

Daniel J. Levins "Book'm Dano" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Adam's Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation (Paperback)

No matter what one's backgound or affiliation, here is a candid and insightful expose on what being a man in "modern" western civilizaton is, is not and should be. Rohr has clearly and simply hit the target dead-center by revealing what nearly every man senses but rarely has the ability to define, and what contemprary western society, American in particular, has squelched, smothered and shamed men for -- being a true man rather than some calculated, psycho-sociol, politically correct manifestation of manufactured "maleness."

Suspend prejudices and read, like it or not, the truth ...

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, beautiful and made of good things, July 24, 2011

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kjtencza - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Adam's Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation (Paperback)

Friends, I have found this book to be beautiful in every sense. I am not a theologian and do not pretend to be, but as a man who seeks to be a more wholistic man, I believe Rhichard Rhohr has captured amazing truths in this book. I found it to be a fantastic combination of biblical, historical and practical truth. I feel like he speaks the human language. I highly recomend this book to men and women alike who are seeking the face of God in their creation. May you be blessed as I have been.