Customer Reviews

The Elder Within: The Source of Mature Masculinity

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Jones, in very simple English, tells us what happened, where we're at, and where we need to go. I couldn't put the book down. There is so much wisdom in less than two hundred pages.

I spoke to two men who seldom finish a book, and both said they only read a third of the book, but what they did read was good. I told them that all they read was how we got off track. The how-to, the action to take, the gold, is in the last third of the book, just like it is in the last third of life.

Jones dispels the belief that our final years should be either of self-indulgence in our motor homes and on the Florida beaches, or of sitting around wondering why we can't be young. He provides all sorts of ways to be in truly enjoyable service, and suggests that our indulgence can come in the form of sharing our stories and watching as our mentorship makes a difference in the earth, our community, or in the life of a mentee.

Since the majority of Americans are going to be in the over-fifty range soon, the book could not be more timely. This book will change your way of looking at either what you've been missing (if you are over 50) or what you have to look forward to (if you are under fifty). At 54 and recently laid off from my sales career, The Elder Within has shown me the path for the rest of my life. It will be my handbook from here on out.

I'm off to see the rabbi in South Bend.

In a society where father-hunger is of epidemic proportions and where retirement is commonly viewed as self-indulgent withdrawal, Terry Jones' vision of eldership is enormously important. Drawing on the rich history of eldership in other ages and cultures, Jones calls men to an egalitarian, non-patriarchal "mature masculinity" which is life-giving not only to men but also to women, children and the planet. I hope this book will be widely read and its message given embodiment.
James B. Nelson
Emeritus Professor of Christian Ethics
United Theological Seminary of th Twin Cities

In his book "The Elder Within", Terry Jones brings the insights of a wide range of mythologists, psychologists and other experts to bear on the meaning of mature masculinity in the 21st century. His passion to explore his own "eldership" fuels his re-visioning of the traditional male roles of protector, provider and teacher. Offering simple, practical ways of becoming an elder in the family and community, Jones pictures the elder as generative, accessible, a listener, a steward of the planet, one who blesses, who makes himself available in quiet, attentive ways to being a resource. Jones's approach is gentle, invitational, inclusive, embodying his own idea of eldership. Readers will find comfort, encouragement and fresh ideas about their own process of embracing the elder within and living their own wisdom to the benefit of others. The book will be useful for group study as well as personal reflection.

Terry has written a landmark book for men who are entering the last phase of their life. It is an excellent handbook for tapping into the Elder within you, practical exercises and suggestions for being an effective Elder.

Highly recommended !...

Terry Jones provides a well-built model of the Male as we all should like to be as we grow older. Dignified, and Strong (if not of body) then strong of spirit and mind. Guided by Heart, and moved by Souls. Both your own soul, and those you meet, love, and care for. Even the ones you weren't expecting to care for, but were thrust upon you. Such is the role of "Elder". An individual Man is representative of that which his heart bends him to over the time of his entire "Life" on this Earth. It's ultimate culmination is the "He" which presents at Old Age. At the "End" as it were. And-- the Grace with which he faces his End. Terry Jones re-addresses those years that have been pushed off into a netherworld of semi-existence in this society. We don't LIKE to look at those years. And that, is not NATURAL---. And the Beginning of this stage is what many feel is the beginning of the end. Not So. It is the culmination and the sharing of, potentially-- The Best, that LIFE has to offer. You only have to Love, and Share. And (hopefully) USE, the God Given strength that you have, as a ---MAN--- to care for those you Love, and those who come to you in need. That, is the Grace and Pride presented here in this book. Older societies had it, and We, America, would be very intelligent indeed to re-incorporate such a belief in our societal evolution. It is a waste of life's most precious resources, a Soul, a Heart, and the Mind which guides them, to NOT utilize people who have learned the MOST, of ANY of us all. Our Elders. Which we ALL will be ONE DAY. Should we all hope to be at the end of OUR days with full dignity and grace. Respected and Revered, with Dignity. A resource that even our youngest can delight in. And our most strident and DRIVEN middle-aged ones, occasionally, IF smart --Listen To.

The Elder Within provides insights and tools for men to connect with younger generations and equally important, to pass on a living legacy. This book continues to give me much to think about, as it challenges men to act in making a positive difference with present and future generations.

Eric Allenbaugh
"Wakeup Calls", Discovery Pub. 1992