I’ve been asked a few times, what I would recommend to a man who has become interested in what is called ‘Men’s Work’.
Men’s Work is a term that encompasses that enormous body of topics that explores various aspects of what it means to be a man, relationally, experientially, socially, culturally, and philosophically.
When I look back over my own introduction and explorations to Men’s Work, I think one couldn’t go too wrong by following my lucky path.
First was Fire In the Belly, by Sam Keen, a good introduction to many of the themes important to men.
Sam Keen is an amazing writer and Fire In the Belly was a book that was like the food I was starving for. It helped me to realize that much of the sorrow, anger and confusion I was feeling was normal. It also helped me to feel (dare I say?) proud to be a man.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.
Next was another very good introductory book called Knights Without Armor, by Aaron Kipnis, which went more into the wounding that many men experience. It sort of follows a 12 step process which isn’t appealing to me, but the information is very sound and will speak to most men.
King, Warrior, Lover, Magician, by by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette came next, which was a book that really solidified the psychology of men’s work and brought me face to face with many of my own immature patterns of seeing and being.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.
After that was Robert Bly’s amazing Iron John, a book that takes a more mytho/poetic approach to men’s psychology. This is a book for men willing to do a bit of work for their understanding, and who don’t mind some poetic interpretations and ambiguous connections. This book is like a fine wine to be sipped slowly and savored.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.
He, by Robert Johnson is another mythic approach to masculine psychology, here using the Fisher King and the Holy Grail myths to understand a man’s woundedness. Very short and worth the time.
From there was a badly needed reality check from one Mr. Rich Zubaty, in the form of an outstanding book entitled: What Men know That Women Don’t.
This book was written by a man’s man, unapologetic and angry, yet absolutely full of points that make my heart relax in their brazenly politically incorrectness.
David Deida’s The Way of the Superior Man is a book for men who may have read everything so far, yet goes beyond.
Men who read and ‘get’ this book must have spent lots of time (years?) looking at themselves. Now, having settled into their deepest understanding they are ready to plumb the depths of their being.
This is no-holds barred masculine life examination and experimentation. Period!
I cannot recommend this book too highly.
A Circle of Men, by Bill Kauth, is a useful guide to starting your own Men’s Group. Full of cool, yet practical group exercises that are tried, tested and true, this is a book written by a man who has been there from the start.
