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Iron John: A Book About Men  Uk  Can by Robert Bly "The poet Robert Bly has penned a masterwork of mythological prose, all about what a man is, and what it means to be a man now, and how that's different from what it has meant to be a man at various times in the past. Bly's analyses of fairy tales and poetry are breathtaking and astonishingly revealing and insightful. I recommend this book to all men, and to anyone interested in the evolution of gender roles or fairly tales or poetry or anthropology or myth. This is a masterpiece, and a fabulous book that is a pleasure to read."

Transformation: Understanding the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness  Uk  Can  by Robert A. Johnson "Jungian analyst Robert A. Johnson has a beautiful way of taking complex Jungian theory and writing about it in a pithy, lucid way that makes Jung's ideas highly accessible. Using three well known characters from literature, Don Quixote, Hamlet and Faust, he maps out the three levels of consciousness in our lives, from the innocent, fantasy creating ego, through Hamlet's existential despair to Faust's mid-life confrontation with the shadow. It is fascinating reading, especially for men and women around mid-life, who are beginning to sense a creeping restlessness in their lives. Johnson writes about the mid-life struggle with such authenticity, not only validating what the reader may be experiencing in her/his own life, but mercifully offering a way through it, using Faust's journey as the guide. A must read for anyone on the path to know oneself, especially any man or woman who is nearing (or in the thick of) mid-life."

I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT: OVERCOMING THE SECRET LEGACY OF MALE DEPRESSION  Uk  Can by Terrence Real "This book offers an amazing amount of valuable information in a clear, concise, approachable format. Terrence Real covers such topics as, why men don't know that they're depressed, how depression is often rooted in childhood experiences, how the myth of masculinity plays a role in the development of depression, how men use various addictions (chemical and non-chemical) to keep their depression at bay, how boys' socialization produces disconnection, and how to repair depression by learning to reparent the self, face vulnerabilities, confront the past, release trauma and shame, rewrite ones story, and use imaginative work to form a relationship with the immature parts of the self, while strengthening the "functional adult" parts of the self. Real uses references to popular movies and books, as well as clinical and personal examples, to add depth and clarity. He seems to approach the topic with a wide-angle lens that suggests a thoroughness to his research on the topic. I highly recommend this book. "

Healing the Child Within : Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families  Uk  Can by Charles L. Whitfield "(After a tumultuous adolescence and early adulthood I found myself in therapy. My therapist recommended that I attend a self-help group for adult children of dysfunctional families. The therapist also suggested that I read "Healing the Child Within". I didn't think I needed any self help group -at least not badly enough to go through the trouble of actually finding such a group in my area. After being in therapy for one year I read "Healing the Child Within". I was not physically or sexually abused as a child. What I did not understand was how pervasive and harmful the emotional NEGLECT was and how it still affected me as an adult. What I learned from this book was how much I had been deprived of as a child. How feelings of fear and anxiety as an adult could be the result of childhood experience. After reading this book I was left with a very strong desire to attend a self help group. I attended my first ACoA group in October 1988 and my life has gotten better in ways I cannot put into words. This book for me was not the answer but a trigger to seek further help. But if I had not had this trigger I would not be where I am today. In the context of a trigger, I can honestly say that this book changed my life in a very profound way)."     Transformation: Understanding the Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness by Robert A. Johnson "Robert Johnson is a great first encounter with Jungian Psychology. The books are short and his points are direct. When you see the size of his books you first think that there isn't much to them, but it isn't long before you recant. I was somewhere near page five when I realized that I was considering the world from an entirely different introspection. Johnson explains how literature, myths and even ancient stories are consistent with overall human nature. By explaining the meaning of classic stories, Johnson explains the dilemmas of mankind, how they are timeless and universal. In Transformations, Johnson explains how the masculine psyche begins as a Don Quixote, progresses into a Hamlet, and seeks to become a Faust. Some people live their whole lives without making it, but they do cause themselves a lot of trouble along the way. Johnson doesn't offer a solution but a path to take to find your own way. Maybe the most comforting thing in these books is the idea that we're all struggling to get somewhere and we're not in it alone. It certainly helps my understanding of those I've come into conflict with."     He : Understanding Masculine Psychology by Robert A. Johnson "One of the best books in this field. Very easy and understandable. Quit delightful. The writer has a gift of explaining abstract concepts in lay language. The issues men face in our society are not limited to men. The inter-connectedness of every element in human life (Chaos Theory) has been presented in mythological terms. Very Good!

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