Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

An outstanding contribution to the literature about abuse, masculinity & growth, identity and self.
A must read for therapists, survivors and advocates.
Rick has an exceptional voice, which should be heard and encouraged.
Please support his work and encourage him to keep going!
Kath

I find the poems strong, beautiful, honest, stark, essential. There are so many I like, but just read "Fused at the Wound" and was particularly struck by that. Also interesting that it transcended gender.

It's not uncommon to hear that some men have difficulty expressing their emotions and being emotionally vulnerable in the presence of others. Rick Belden's collection of poetry shows us that is not the case for every man. He covers the big life questions and topics like religion ("god at eleven"), complex relationship with father ("dad i got"), work and career ('ibm" and "red meat head games"), intimacy in romantic relationships ("romance death rattle"), friendship ("fever wheels"), grief ("close to it"), and childhood abuse ("body memory"). Belden tackles additional topics with a great deal of passion and brutal honesty. The poems paint a vivid and often heart-wrenching picture of a man's struggle to make sense of some very difficult life experiences as he works toward self-understanding.

As a therapist who specializes in men's issues, I have seen a number of male clients struggle to put into words how they are feeling. I have recommended this book to help them see that it is possible. Worth checking out if you have struggled yourself or know of someone who might need an shining example of a person's ability to open up honestly about the joys and trials of life.

Someone else read one of Rick's poems to me and suggested I might like this collection. This sort of raw talk and courageous vulnerability earns my respect. This book helped me to communicate my own feeling and experiences. Beldon has put into words some things I had not been able to articulate. It has helped me reconcile some of my own past. It has helped the woman in my life understand me and men a bit better too.

I felt a strong companionship with Rick all through this book. It's a book of facing up to what you'd rather keep buried, of brutal honesty, humanity, and of healing.

A real inspiration to anyone who is on a journey inside of themselves to finally get to a place of real happiness after all these years of pain - when we finally realise we're not going to let the pain keep perpetuating itself anymore.

I admire Rick's bravery in both his journey and in sharing this - the rawest, most bloody self-exposition I've ever read - and I feel some of that bravery and strength has been passed on to me.

The power to be vulnerable - I think this is what you call a "real man".

Damn good book. Damn real book. Love it.

Andrew

P.S. I reserve 5 stars for eternal classics like "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare or "Conversations With God" by Neile Walsh, 4 stars means "very good" :)

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Berkley, California. I read Iron Man Family Outing and was deeply inspired by Rick Beldon's use of words to capture emotions and experiences that are so often taboo for men to talk about in our society. Many of my clients, who have had similar experiences to Mr. Beldon, feel quite alone in the world and doubtful that anyone understands their experiences. They are more likely to isolate to protect their vulnerability and fear that their feelings and experiences will be judged and discounted. I shared Mr. Beldon's book with a few of these select clients. We read together the passages that they seemed to connect with most deeply and they talked about how this process helped them feel less alone in the world. A number of them also said they felt inspired by the boldness of Mr. Beldon's writing, and said reading the book encouraged them to find ways to work with their own painful experiences in more creative ways.

Rick Belden's book of poems really struck a chord with me. He says the things guys are semi-conscious of, and then proceeds to really sink into the heart of the unsaid feelings. Rick's use of metaphor is spot-on - he electrically charges his poems to communicate the experiences all men have in their sexual experiences, family of origin experiences, and interpersonal relationships.

He is the voice many men would wish that they could have - if they weren't avoiding it or stuffing it to deal with later. His poems are very transformational, and really gives a voice to the modern male experience - one which is frequently (and unfortunately) not discussed as it is in Rick's "Iron Man Family Outing." Great job, Rick, and thanks for the work that you do, from this man and for others.