Beyond the Hero: Classic Stories of Men in Search of Soul

Some men yearn for an earlier time when heroes were honored by all, when patriarchs ruled over women and nations. But, deep in their souls, most men today know that they cannot turn back the clock. Together in small groups, or alone in their own hearts, they are seeking a path beyond traditional male hegemony, beyond the solitary hero - a path toward a vital yet compassionate masculinity. This quest is not a recent invention, a result of the men's movement or of feminism. Instead, it has appeared in tales throughout history. As Dr. Allan Chinen tells these stories - from France, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Russia - readers will meet archetypes such as the wizard, the hunter, the shaman, and especially the Trickster. These male figures are healers rather than heroes, communicators rather than conquerors, explorers rather than exploiters. They are fierce but avoid violence; they are independent but related to the feminine; they are wild but nurturing. Beyond the Hero points the way toward a deeper, seasoned masculinity, and offers both men and women the hope of a more authentic way of life.