Iron Man Family Outing : Poems About Transition Into A More Conscious Manhood [Paperback]

Rick Belden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1990

Inspired by a puzzling series of dreams about a favorite comic book hero from his boyhood, the author embarks upon an arduous but ultimately healing odyssey into a dark and damaged internal landscape, the wreckage of a childhood spent with an angry, abusive, distant father. As he begins to understand these dreams, and allows them to lead him forward, he also begins to accept his unique personal history, understand its consequences in his adult life, and take responsibility for his own healing.

Iron Man Family Outing is widely used in the United States and internationally by therapists, counselors, and men's groups as an aid in the exploration of masculine psychology and men's issues, and as a resource for men who grew up in dysfunctional, abusive, or neglectful family systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a must-have text for professionals working therapeutically with men. --Daniel S. Saland, Psy.D.

This collection of harrowing and healing poetry is the best volume of men's poetry I have read. --Lyman Grant, Editor, MAN! magazine

I would love to put a copy of this book into the hands of every male I know, but I also encourage those of my gender who seek to better understand the male psyche to pick up a copy of this book. --Healing & Recovery for Men at Gift From Within --Healing & Recovery for Men at Gift From Within

This collection of harrowing and healing poetry is the best volume of men's poetry I have read. --Lyman Grant, Editor, MAN! magazine

I would love to put a copy of this book into the hands of every male I know, but I also encourage those of my gender who seek to better understand the male psyche to pick up a copy of this book. --Healing & Recovery for Men at Gift From Within

From the Author

I never intended to write this book, or any book for that matter. And I certainly didn't set out initially to share something this raw and personal with the rest of the world. But as these poems emerged and took shape, it became clear to me that there was a powerful transpersonal process at work that was bigger than me and my own life.

In that context, the creation of this book took on something of a sacred quality for me. I came to realize that, by opening a window into some of the deepest, most intimate places in myself and my process, I might also help other men see themselves more clearly and take action to address issues in their own lives. I hope that both men and women alike can find some truly personal value in this work.

I would also like to acknowledge the work of artist John Dolley, who did such an incredible job of bringing so many of the themes and images in the book to life with his haunting, beautifully rendered illustrations.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Richard M. Belden (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911051562
• ISBN-13: 978-0911051568
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,430,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rick Belden has been writing for most of his life and exploring the use of creative expression, dreamwork, personal mythology, and listening to the body as tools for self-healing since 1989. He is the author of Iron Man Family Outing: Poems about Transition into a More Conscious Manhood, a book widely used in the United States and internationally by therapists, counselors, and men's groups as an aid in the exploration of masculine psychology and men's issues, and as a resource for men who grew up in dysfunctional, abusive, or neglectful family systems.

Rick's second book, Scapegoat's Cross: Poems about Finding and Reclaiming the Lost Man Within, is awaiting publication. He regularly posts poetry, short essays, and other writing at his blog (poetry, dreams, and the body).

In addition to his ongoing activities as a writer, Rick has been working in the information technology field for over 25 years as a software engineer/designer/developer, systems analyst, business analyst, and consultant for numerous organizations in both the public and private sector. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, September 30, 2007

By 

Shelley Imholte (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iron Man Family Outing : Poems About Transition Into A More Conscious Manhood (Paperback)

Belden has taken my breath away with this compilation of poems. His work contradicts many of the deeply held stereotypes of men. He weaves the reader in and out of both tragedy and hope. His naked truth about his family, his relationships, his work, sex, and discovering himself will take the reader on a journey of intimacy, vulnerabilty, strength, and resilence. A true 'hero' is Belden for taking on such a challenge and rising above the things that haunt many of us. Thank you Rick!

Shelley Imholte, LMSW

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret is Out, August 27, 2010

By 

Curious Buddha - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Iron Man Family Outing : Poems About Transition Into A More Conscious Manhood (Paperback)

So many times in my life I have looked for words to explain what was happening and found none. I did not think the words even existed. Nobody could explain what all this madness was, and more importantly, what it meant.

But Rick could. And Rick did.

Iron Man Family outing has awakened me to new forms of consciousness I did not think were possible. The man's mantra of "do and don't think/feel" had ruled my life for years until Rick found a way with his poetry to say the things I could not or dare not say. Family Outing leaves no stone (or armor, as it were) unturned as Belden explores the hurts passed down by our forefathers, the way we as men perpetuate unhealthy patterns, and the pieces of our identity we struggle to synthesize. The poems are grounded. The writing is accessible. The feelings are raw. The breadth of the subject matter can leave you solemn or winded. Either way you can't help but be thankful.

As a therapist I like to work with men's issues. I now use Family Outing as an essential reading tool for self-exploration and awakening. It has been enjoyed by both the growing men I have had the honor of meeting in therapy, as well as colleagues whom are open to issues specific to men. If you want to know more about the internal workings of the mythical man, if you want to understand what it's like to be a man in a modern age, if you just want to get a new/raw/honest perspective on the life we all share on this planet, you MUST read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an incredibly moving book, September 22, 2008

By 

Don R. (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iron Man Family Outing : Poems About Transition Into A More Conscious Manhood (Paperback)

I don't read much but this is a book that I can't put down. Throughout my journey in life, often times I've felt alone. As a man in his mid-thirties, it often seems that no one is eager to empathize with your struggles in life. Often times, I find myself in a sad place where I feel uncared for and misunderstood.

This book is a real eye opener. It's very rare to find someone like Rick who can articulate his emotion in such a way that it really moves you. Like many of the other reviewers have stated, be prepared. I don't allow myself to "feel" much, but as I read along with the "Iron Man" I can feel myself opening up to someone who is showing empathy for themselves, and in a way, for me.

To say I was able to identify with this book is an understatement. I feel as though I do the book a disservice by calling it a "tool" in my theraputic arsenal, but that's the best way to describe it. The collection of poems is such an easy read -- read one and you will be immediately absorbed to where you can't put it down. Whenever I'm feeling low, and feel that no one empathizes with me, I pick up the "Iron Man" and realize that my struggles aren't always unique, and that I'm not alone in how I feel.

This book sits in the top drawer of my desk, there whenever I need it.

Thanks Rick.