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Title: Beyond the Hero
Author: Allan B. Chinen
Narrator: Dan Keding
Format: Abridged
Length: 1 hr
Language: English
Release date: 10-20-00
Publisher: August House
Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 2 votes
Genres: Self Development, Motivation & Inspiration
Publisher's Summary:
This quest is not a recent phenomenon, a result of the men's movement or a reaction to feminism. Indeed, it has been portrayed in tales throughout history. These tales from around the world portray fathers and sons battling for power, facing their shadows, meeting the trickster, and learning playfulness, camaraderie, and wisdom. Finally, they introduce male archetypes that are healers rather than heroes.
Editorial Reviews:
Allan B. Chinen, PhD, examines traditional folklore and fairy tales through the lens of middle age. Specifically, the clinical professor of psychiatry who calls himself the "Story Doctor" uses the compressed wisdom of fairy tales to help shepherd men through later development stages.
Renowned performer Dan Keding won the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2000. In Beyond the Hero Keding is at the top of his game, drawing listeners into the strategic tales with his avuncular voice. Though performed without exposition, these "classic stories of men in search of soul" are meant to be consumed interactively, with listeners asking themselves how they can personally relate to the obstacles encountered by the protagonists of folklore and myth.
Critic Reviews:
"Here are fresh insights into myth and masculinity. These ancient stories can heal present wounds." (John Lee, author of The Flying Boy)
Members Reviews:
Folktales for Midlife
This is a wonderful deeper exploration into the fascinating ideas offered in Chinen's "Once Upon A Midlife," which identified the patterns in folktales written about characters in the second third of life. While I really enjoyed that book, I had wanted more explanation after finishing it. Focusing on the developmental issues that men are struggling with really made sense, since men and women traditionally do have different trajectories and different sides of their personalities in need of development as they reach midlife. I can't wait to read "Waking the World" which focuses on the patterns in folktales about women in midlife!
The sequel to Campbell's "The Hero's Journey"
If you found Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" compelling or even "mind-blowing" (as I did when I stumbled upon it as a young man); if Robert Bly's "Iron John" and the other works of the "men's movement" (Michael Meade, Sam Keen, James Hillman) have illuminated your own journey in some way; and if you are 45 or older...this is a must-read.
There are many phases in a man's life. Initiation into the Hero or Warrior role is necessary (Campbell). Chinen's book makes the case for an initiation into the Mature Male role--a ritual which he says is common in many traditional societies. He uses myths and stories and personal anecdotes to illustrate.
And humor! Because, let's face it, middle-aged guys are funny--particularly when they are still trying to be Warriors.
Or maybe not so funny, if you think about political/military/cultural "leaders" -- middle-aged men who have not made the conscious transition and who are still trying to be Warriors -- and the damage they can wreak.... Can you say "Dick Chaney?" .... But that's another story.