Beyond the Hero: Classic Stories of Men in Search of Soul [Paperback]

Allan B. Chinen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1993

Some men yearn for an earlier time when heroes were honored by all, when patriarchs ruled over women and nations. But, deep in their souls, most men today know that they cannot turn back the clock. Together in small groups, or alone in their own hearts, they are seeking a path beyond traditional male hegemony, beyond the solitary hero - a path toward a vital yet compassionate masculinity. This quest is not a recent invention, a result of the men's movement or of feminism. Instead, it has appeared in tales throughout history. As Dr. Allan Chinen tells these stories - from France, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Russia - readers will meet archetypes such as the wizard, the hunter, the shaman, and especially the Trickster. These male figures are healers rather than heroes, communicators rather than conquerors, explorers rather than exploiters. They are fierce but avoid violence; they are independent but related to the feminine; they are wild but nurturing. Beyond the Hero points the way toward a deeper, seasoned masculinity, and offers both men and women the hope of a more authentic way of life.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corporation (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738851566
• ISBN-13: 978-0738851563
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,699,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, September 23, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond the Hero (Mass Market Paperback)

,This book is pivitol. It has helped me and many people to whom I have recommended this book gain some deeper under- standing of many of the commonalities of manhood across time and cultures. It helps to make sense of our part in the human experience and suggests to us that many of our experiences (expecially of those regarding men's experience in midlife) are universal. This is not a self help book that purports to give the answers to cure all of mens' problems, rather an insightful look into the commonalities of mens' experiences throughout nearly every culture.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The sequel to Campbell's "The Hero's Journey", October 12, 2010

By 

John Timothy "coffee wallah" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond the Hero: Classic Stories of Men in Search of Soul (Paperback)

If you found Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" compelling or even "mind-blowing" (as I did when I stumbled upon it as a young man); if Robert Bly's "Iron John" and the other works of the "men's movement" (Michael Meade, Sam Keen, James Hillman) have illuminated your own journey in some way; and if you are 45 or older...this is a must-read.

There are many phases in a man's life. Initiation into the Hero or Warrior role is necessary (Campbell). Chinen's book makes the case for an initiation into the Mature Male role--a ritual which he says is common in many traditional societies. He uses myths and stories and personal anecdotes to illustrate.

And humor! Because, let's face it, middle-aged guys are funny--particularly when they are still trying to be Warriors.

Or maybe not so funny, if you think about political/military/cultural "leaders" -- middle-aged men who have not made the conscious transition and who are still trying to be Warriors -- and the damage they can wreak.... Can you say "Dick Chaney?" .... But that's another story. Don't let my politics keep you away from a good read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "deep masculine" archtype..., March 13, 2010

By 

Joe Anthony "Joe Anthony" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond the Hero (Mass Market Paperback)

If you like Carl Jung or Joseph Campbell you will also like this book, especially in that it is much less dense and esoteric. Dr. Chinen takes a Jungian approach to middle age. Probably, I would have not been able to relate to this book very much if I had read it as a younger man. It talks at length about steps men can take to meet the crisis of middle age which include (along the Jungian concept of "archetypes"), getting in touch with one's "feminine side". Make no mistake, Chinene is not calling for a "wimpification" of men, he rather sees the feminine archetype as a step into getting more in touch with the "Trickster", a "deep masculine" archtype. I think the book holds a great deal of wisdom for the middle aged male in crisis. The author uses a variety of fairy tales to illustrate his points.

Though the book gets a little redundant about 2/3rds of the way through; it picks up in the final 1/4.

Of all schools of psychology, Jungian psychology can be viewed as a little "far out". Dr. Chinen, however, explains things in a manner that makes some sense for the modern age.