Customer Reviews

His Story: Masculinity in the Post-Patriarchal World (Llewellyn's Male Mysteries Series)

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I liked this book very much for the mere fact that Mann does not put on airs in this book, but is instead looking at modern ailments within the masculine psyche from a perennial earth-centered perspective. Unlike DRUID MAGIC, which I feel is partially a valiant attempt to explore Druidism but also one that has some glaring inaccurate representations, I thought HIS STORY was just the kind of writing we need to see getting turned out in the modern milieu--namely, the kind of writing that truly addresses the imbalances, wounds, habitual patterns, and fallacies of paradigms that have taken root in our contemporary society as a result of leaving an earth-centered spiritual cosmology behind. Mann approaches a number of positive male archetypes, as well as ways of revisioning a modern masculinity that is rooted in gentleness, strength, a sense of honoring the feminine within and without, and an overall spirit of alignment of the male soul with the soul of earth. I applaud this investigation, its general thesis, and its conclusions. Where Pagan, neo-Pagan, Druid, and neo-Druid writings interface with a deep-seated look at the psychology that shapes our world we have potential tools for addressing authentic change and this is one book that aspires to this.

Anyone that reads His Story that has even a surface knowledge of anthro will connect with what mann is trying to convey. All of his references from other sources are verifiable and scholarly. Mann points out in his book that some of the restless felt by the white North American male is due to a scense of rootlessness with no conection to a deep past,ancient tradition,or native culture he can call his own. He also goes on to point out that the Patriarcle system that has been in place for thousands of years, made explicit in and sanctified by it's religions, forms the basis for the domination over everything of "lesser worth" (ie. native Americans, the environment,Women,) giving license to the frame of mind that the scarcest of something is the most valuble or powerful. And that things that are more "abundant" are of lesser worth. If you are not pro-equality between the sexes, the races, or religions of the world, this book is not for you.

This book puts into words what many men have felt for many years: Just about everything that men use to judge their worth is based on an artificial, unnatural ideal that puts one gender, one class, one society, one religion as the supreme power and all others are inferior or dangerous. It also helps answer the question, "Just how can a man BE a man in a world that is increasingly hostile towards masculinity?" Nicholas R. Mann exposes how men have, for millennia, been forced to believe that the only way men can BE men is to dominate others. He further shows how hierarchical structures, in religion, in politics, in business, and even in families, were designed to keep men believing they had to be in control in order to be favored by the ultimate authority, The Deity. The concept that few must have power over many is the root of the problem modern men face. This book provides new criteria that feel satisfying and natural.

i don't know why the other reviewers were so (ahem) HISSY over this truy remarkable book...like all the Mann books.

anyways, 5 stars. highly recommended.

esp check out his DARK GOD...very open masculinity isn't afraid of itself...or the GODDESS...you really can't have one w/o the Other...

This book by Nicholas Mann is simply brilliant. It really states things the way they are. Patriarchy as a system doesn't work for women or for men. In this book, the author has the courage to say it out loud. There is also some very useful information on various Gods and Goddesses throughout history that helps to shed some light on our heritage. I highly recommend this book!

If you are interested in masculine spirituality at all you will never, ever, ever buy the book "His Story" by Nicholas R. Mann.... it was absolutely the worst book I have ever read on anything dealing with masculinity.

The first major problem with the book was the fact that the author was full of himself. There are a couple of passages in the prologue that points this out. Secondly it was unprofessional, and heavily opinionated, and wrongly so. It was almost reading a radical feminist's perspective on male mysteries and sexuality. Which would be kind of like a guy talking about what giving birth is like.

None of his opinions are scientifically backed up, nor does he refer to any sources to show its validity either. And I loved the fact that he talked about great sources of information, but didn't really idolize them, or incorporate them into the book. All in all, it is a bad book. Do not buy it. Save it and buy HB Harris' book Emasculation of the Unicorn.

Mann's linking of society's ills to the patriarchal world displays a gross ignorance of history and anthropology, two fields in which he claims expertise. Feminist revisionist historians will love his deluded fantasies. If you're male and interested in accurate historical analysis, don't waste your money!