Customer Reviews

The Pagan Man: Priests, Warriors, Hunters, and Drummers

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is a truism that our society sends men a confusing array of contradictory messages about what they are supposed be, how they are supposed to behave, and what is expected of them. (And to be fair, women certainly suffer from the same phenomenon, as any checkout counter magazine rack sadly confirms). Within the Pagan community, men still feel the same tensions despite the ostensibly more open and accepting culture of Paganism. Bonewits argues that in fact some men may feel added pressures (and in the worst case some forms of discrimination) as much of modern Paganism emphasizes the feminine and that this doctrine, in hands of some, is used to justify pushing men to the margins of religious life in much the same way as some practitioners of the Abrahamic faiths marginalize women.

If this issue of alleged oppression of men in modern Paganism were the main focus of the book, it wouldn't be worth reading. Also, if it were a long tract of complaints about women, it wouldn't be worth the time. Luckily, while Bonewits does argue for the importance of men even in Goddess oriented religion, he also uses this book to present positive examples of the roles men fulfill in Pagan culture (as well as the names of some of the flesh-and-blood men who are fulfilling these roles) as artists, priests, warriors, fathers, brothers (to each other and the women in their community) and lovers. In addition to these positive examples, the book presents summary biographies of many influential men in modern Paganism without shrinking from indicating that many of these men also had their flaws. There are also several rituals for men (concerning issues more generally associated with men) that many practitioners would find of use. The book also features an excellent summary of the various streams of contemporary Pagan practice and the multifarious sources and influences upon Paganism today. This section is well worth reading for anyone interested in contemporary Paganism (and doesn't want to read all of "Drawing Down the Moon").

Lastly, I would like to assure the women of the Pagan community that this book isn't about attacking or denigrating you nor is it a book that defines men in antithesis to women. Rather, "The Pagan Man" is an attempt to give men a positive message that the masculine (but not the macho) is a part of creation that deserves to be honored. If you are man who feels confused about what it means to be "a good man" (and frankly you don't need to be Pagan for this book to be relevant) and are searching for role models, be they human or mythical, this book won't answer all your questions, but it will give you a great start on your journey and references to many resources to help you along the way.

And I love Isaac Bonewits book by that name. Originally I bought it as a gift for my partner, but while looking it over, I found I couldn't put it down. As I read the book, I found myself hoping that one day my sons will read it and learn from it, as they learn from their father. The book deepened my appreciation for every Pagan man I have ever known, and the Gods that reside within them. Things I love about this book:

*Isaac's courageous honesty in describing his experience of what being a Pagan man is like - and his use of quotes from the moving, inspirational experiences of the Pagan men he surveyed.

*The accessible language the book is written in - not a chore, it's an enlightening, insightful "pleasure read," yet it has a very satisfying "notes" section and bibliography, (which is thorough without being ponderous.)

*It doesn't "have to" be read in a linear fashion. I started with chapter 8, "Pagan Men As Fathers," because that's what interested me most in the moment, and then I enjoyed the rest of the chapters according to where my curiosity led me.

*The male insights presented on Paganism and the feminist movement - a thought provoking, discussion inspiring, exploration of the roles of enlightened men and women in modern Paganism.

I believe this book is written for Pagans at all levels of experience. Perhaps advanced Pagans will find that the academic knowledge presented isn't new, but Isaac has his own way of applying it - I am weary of reviews categorizing all Pagan books as either "novice," "intermediate" or "advanced," although occasionally I suspect that those reviewers who make such narrow categories are sometimes motivated to assert their own advanced knowledge.

This book is not just for Pagan men, but also for those who love and appreciate them. My husband will receive his gift a bit dog-eared - a word to the wise - get your own copy too!

I believe that any pagan, man or woman, can benifit from this book. The day that I recieved the book, I could not put it down. I literally stayed home all day and read it. Issac does a very good job at conveying the feelings and roles of men in modern paganism without a harsh tone or comming across as whiney. Another thing that I really appricated about the book is that he devotes a chapter to "queer" pagan men. He talks of us as fellow men, not as some seperate kind of feminized man.

Pagan men should read this book because you may find a lot of what Issac says to be true and it will most likely speak to your experiences and to your soul. Any pagan woman should read this as well in order to obtain a greater understanding of the minds and hearts of your spiritual brothers. Please pagans do yourself a favor and read this book ASAP!

For years now we have assigned Isaac's book "Real Magic" as the basic primer on that subject to our students, albeit with some minor caveats: Isaac's sense of humor has to be taken into account in all things, and a happy thing it is to read a scholar who has one!

Isaac Bonewits' new book, "The Pagan Man," is a welcome addition to the dwindling stream of books for and about men and what they are. Now that the more general territory has been opened up, a book such as this, which explores a specific set of religious subcultures and what it is to be a man in those subcultures, is invaluable.

Though the primary focus of inquiry is the place of men in Goddess centered religions, the author does not limit himself to the familiar Wiccan models; nor does he reiterate attitudes that were prevalent ten or twenty years ago. Bonewits, possibly the best-known and most widely acquainted of living Pagan writers, provides introductions to Celtic, Druidic, Norse, Egyptian, Hellenic and other forms of modern Pagan practice, and how the differing polytheologies impact the individual male in the communities growing out of those practices.

As always, his fluent style is punctuated with a reverent irreverence by which the highly approachable author refuses to take himself too seriously. He presents his important material with a smile rather than a stern grimace, and the reading is much the better for it.

Yes, this book is highly recommended.

Ramfis. S. Firethorn, author of "Blindfold On A Tightrope: Men's Myths & Men's Mysteries"

Isaac Bonewits has done it again. He's researched a subject and has brought it to the people in a form that is alive with breadth and depth. The topic is of course, the Pagan Man. Isaac introduces, discusses and enables all types of Pagan men to present their views, their lives, their likes and their loves in a manner that is eye-opening and a paragon of clarity. He also provides his own insights into being a Pagan man and that "behind the scenes viewpoint" that only a respected elder like himself can provide. He's able to get a wide variety of Pagan men to open up to their likes and dislikes and their core feelings about themselves, women and the Pagan life that they share. This is a book that will enlighten both Paganfolk and the general population alike. It shows the human side of men everywhere and of all types to a world that, now more than ever, needs to embrace its humanity. It's on my bookshelf and should be a gift that will highlight anyone's season.

Another amazing book by Isaac! Many men have wondered when someone would publish a book on the men's interest--especially with the rows of women's books available. This text is the answer all of us Pagan men have been looking for.

This book is serious, yet light-hearted. It is well researched while still being easy to read. It's incredibly informative, and very interactive. At the end of each chapter are exercises of varying degree of difficulty--though the book can still be enjoyed reading it cover-to-cover.

After reading "The Pagan Man," I felt both empowered and inspired. It really is great to be a man in a religion such as ours!

I bought this book for my husband and ended up reading it first. :) So much for it being HIS Yule present. LOL

I've found it to be informative without being preachy and boring, it is funny and touching all at once.

As PaganDad said, Bonewits touches on the flaws of some of the men who helped start and grow the pagan movement and I like that. It fleshes them out and makes them more "real" to know that they weren't saints or demons, just people.

I have 2 sons who will be reading this book as they grow (they are 8 and 6 now) and I'm so grateful to Mr. Bonewits for writing it and providing this guidance to our husbands, lovers, brothers and sons.

Life brings all of us many opportunities and that is how I came
about in my reading of the Pagan Man by Isaac Bonewits. Growing up
in this culture much is expected of us however many have not received the proper training as we move from adolescent to manhood. The Pagan Man presents us with the history and background in how we can make choices in selecting a path that allows us to follow our "truths" in order to live in harmony and balance with the universe. Here we learn about fellowship and kinship that builds male bonding in a spiritual environment. This in turn allows us to open ourselves up and to
embrace the spirit of our ancestors in daily rituals and prayers.

Mr. Bonewits has written an pivotal work on the pagan man, both modern and ancient.

If you want a dry, academic exposition, you've come to the wrong place. His style is warm, witty, and highly personal. That said, it it more then just an essay of his own feelings. Mr. Bonewits has an academic background (University of California) in the pagan world of magic and magical societies. Using his research into the ancient world, especially the Druidic societies, he has demonstrated the link between the ancient and the modern recreations of that older world.

Although he would probably not use the Jungian archetypes, he has drawn clear links between the ancient world's view of the man/nature/God relationship and modern man's need for an understanding of this relationship. This need for a spiritual relationship between the world and man is one of the reasons for the growth of the neo-pagan movement.

If you are interested in spirituality, modern "new age" movements, or just man's relationship to the world in general, this is a "must read" book.

in Neo-paganism. Isaac has moved into an area with this book that has been sorely lacking on the shelves. His concise and humorful writing style allows the reader to understand where he is coming from and gain insight to what it means to be a Pagan man. He shows not only the good but where and what we as men need to work on.

Bravo Isaac!