Book reviews and bits from them

<script LANGUAGE="JavaScript">self.status="Loading..."</script> <body onload="javascript:self.status='Page loaded'">  <script LANGUAGE="JavaScript">  </script> <div align="center"> <center> <table bgcolor="#42581A" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="center"><img border="0" src="paganmen.jpg" width="550" height="51"></td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> </center> <div align="center"> <center> <table width="100%"> <tr> <td align="center" width="100%"><nobr>[ <a href="index.htm" title="Will take you back to the front page" onMouseOver="on('The welcome page');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">Home</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a href="whatis.htm" title="My definitions of paganism, being male, and male paganism" onMouseOver="on('Definition of paganism');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">Definition</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a title="Some male pagan or spirituality essays - thoughts and opinions" onMouseOver="on('Male Pagan essays');return true" onMouseOut="off()" href="essays/index.htm" target="_top">Essays</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a title="Some collected male pagan rituals" onMouseOver="on('Male Pagan rituals');return true" onMouseOut="off()" href="rituals/index.htm" target="_top">Rituals</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a href="sacred_space.htm" title="A place to meditate with a random god image" onMouseOver="on('Sacred Space');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">Shrine</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <font class="vlinks"><a title="Suggested reading and book reviews" onMouseOver="on('Male Pagan Books and reviews');return true" onMouseOut="off()" href="fr_books.htm" target="_top"><b>Books</b></a></font> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a title="Male pagan discussion and email groups" onMouseOver="on('Information on Male Pagan email groups');return true" onMouseOut="off()" href="discussion.htm" target="_top">Discussion</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a href="guestbook.htm" title="My Guestbook - please sign thoughtfully" onMouseOver="on('View or sign the guestbook');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">Guestbook</a> ]</nobr> <nobr>[ <a href="links.htm" title="Links to other male pagan websites and other sites of possible interest" onMouseOver="on('Links to other sites of interest');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">Links</a> ]</nobr> </td> </tr> </table> </center> </div>   <script LANGUAGE="JavaScript">  </script> <h2>Book list on male spirituality</h2> <p>This list is by no means definitive. If you have others you would like to see included, please let me know. If you have a comment on a particular book, again, please let me know - book reviews have been done where <b>[more]</b> is indicated.<img border="0" src="images/DionysosHead.gif" align="right" width="350" height="288"></p> <p>other links on this level: <br> [<a href="male_whatmakesaman.htm" onMouseOver="on(' ');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">what makes a man</a>] [<a href="male_manifesto.htm" onMouseOver="on(' ');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">male manifesto</a>] [<a href="book_list_king.htm%20onMouseOver=" on(' ");return true" onMouseOut="off()">king, warrior, magician, lover</a>] [<a href="book_list_godsfortoday.htm" onMouseOver="on(" ");return true" onMouseOut="off()">men & cyclity</a>] [<a href="book_list_bly.htm" onMouseOver="on(" ");return true" onMouseOut="off()">iron john</a>] [<a href="book_review_some.htm" onMouseOver="on(" ");return true" onMouseOut="off()">some book reviews</a>]</p> <hr> <p>"A Hunter" s Heart: Honest Essays on Blood Sport" collected by David Petersen, intro. by Richard K. Nelson Pagan editor and writer Chas Clifton has a article in this - "The Hunter's Eucharist," reprinted from Gnosis magazine.</p target="_top"> </p> <p>"Awakening from the Deep Sleep" by Robert Pasick</p> <p>"Blossom of Bone" by Randy Conners (sadly out of print, though you may find it secondhand)  [</a><a href="book_review_some.htm#Blossom of Bone" onMouseOver="on(' ');return true" onMouseOut="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Book of Hours: Prayers to the God" by Galen Gillotte...Poetic prayers that celebrate the many faces of the God. Includes prayers for Wiccan Holy Days, celebrations of the God as Sun and Moon, life experiences and rites of passage. </p> <p>"Celebrating the Male Mysteries" by R.J Stewart. It is a wonderfully written book that includes exercises. It is plainly written yet very thought provoking It will assist the novice as well as the experienced. It is not written for any one belief and yet it touches on some of them and that is what makes it so powerful. I hope others enjoy it as much as I do and it is a great reference tool one for every library. [<a href="book_review_some.htm#Celebrating" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Earth God Rising: The Return of the Male Mysteries" ( recommended reading!) Author: Alan Richardson Publ: Llewellyn, 1992 </p> <p>"Earth Honouring: The New Male Sexuality" by Robert Lawlor (Copyright 1989, Park Street Press, Rochester Vermont). It may be out of print, but you may be able to get used copies delivered at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.abebooks.com">www.abebooks.com</a> He goes a fair bit into balance, and mentions the ancient Vedic Sutra of the Kali Yuga, which says feminine and masculine eras have alternated throughout history-- every 50, 500 and 5000 years.</p> <p>"Everyday Sun Magic" by Dorothy Morrison...Spells and rituals for radiant living. This book explores the many facets and lore of the Sun God. </p> <p>"Fire in The belly - On being a man" - Sam Keen, Piatkus 1992 [<a href="book_review_some.htm#Fire" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>] </p> <p>"Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth" by William Anderson. Originally a companion volume to a BBC documentary, the book documents images of the Green Man from prehistory to the present. Photographs and illustrations in both color and black and white on nearly every page.</p> <p>"He" by Robert Johnson. </p> <p>"His story - Masculinity in the Post-Patriarchal World," Nicholas Man, Llewellyn 1995 [<a href="book_review_some.htm#his story" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Historical Atlas of World Mythology" by: Joseph Campbell This is a five book series, divided into two Volumes. The first  is "The Way of the Animal Powers" dived into two books. This volume is dedicated to the history of man's relation ship with the animal in regards to survival. The second volume " The Way of the Seeded Earth"  is basically the same concept, only the focus is on man's relationship with the earth and agriculture. Both are  AMAZING "collages" of collected information and art that cross  references history and cultures in a way that only the mighty Joseph Campbell can.</p> <p>"Invoke the Gods: Exploring the Power of the Male Archetypes" by Kala Trobe<br> Deepen your connection with fifteen gods from the Hindu, Greek and Egyptian pantheons.</p> <p>"Iron John: A Book About Men " by Robert Bly. Element Publishing. ISBN 1 86204 600X [<a href="book_list_bly.htm" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>] - Robert Bly Does a good job of explaining how myths work</p> <p>"King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: rediscovering the archetypes of the mature masculine" by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette (Harper Collins Publishing, 1990, ISBN 0-06-250606-4) [<a href="book_review_some.htm#King" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Knights Without Armor: A Practical Guide for Men in Quest of Masculine Soul" (1991) by Aaron R. Kipnis [<a href="male_manifesto.htm" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Lord of Light & Shadow: The Many Faces of the God", By: D.J. Conway </p> <p>"Manhood" by Steve Biddulph [<a href="book_review_biddulph.htm" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Masks of Misrule: The horned God & his cult in Europe" by Nigel Jackson <br> Introduction by Michael Howard. A unique and detailed study of the Horned God in the traditions of Britain and Europe, concentrating on the natural and mystical facets of this most compelling and enduring of archetypes. With the rituals offered in the book, this volume is a virtual esoteric grimoire of the inner Mysteries. This book takes a more anthropological overview of the European Horned God and makes comparatives between other cultures. It also takes a look at the integration and development of concepts and beliefs surrounding the Horned God. This is then intermixed with various pieces of folklore an tradition which incidentally found within traditional Witchcraft. So,  you not only understand the information but also understand where it came from and how it developed.</p> <p>"Men don't listen and Women can't read Maps" by Allan and Barbara Pease (you know - the Body Language guy). It covers biological reasons (that I thought were quite valid) for a lot of the reasons why men do what they do and women do what they do... Also introduced a cool title for men - Lunch-gatherers (as opposed to hunters I guess). Hearty recommendations to read the book from this corner....Rob </p> <p>"Men's Business, Women's Business: The Spiritual Role of Gender in the World's Oldest Culture", by Hannah Rachel Bell. Although I (Pete) am yet to read it the following book it looks very interesting.</p> <p>"My Father's Wedding" by John Lee </p> <p>"No Ordinary Moments - A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life" by Dan Millman. I've also read 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior' and 'Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior' by the same author and enjoyed both books immensely. </p> <p>"Pagan Gods for Today's Man - a beginner's guide" - Theresa and Howard Moorey - Hodder and Stoughton Educational, London Great Britain.1997 The book is really, really, basic and is only 100 pages but it covers alot of areas. [<a href="book_list_godsfortoday.htm" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Queer Spirits: A Gay Men's Myth Book" by Will Roscoe</p> <p>"Sacred Manhood Sacred Earth" by Joesph Jastrab </p> <p>"Secret Men's Business" by John Marsden (PAN Macmillan Publishing, Australia, ISBN 0 330 36074 4) - [<a href="book_review_some.htm#Secret Men's" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Sons Of The Goddess: A Young Man's Guide To Wicca" by Christopher Penczak.  Paperback: 216 pages   Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (April 1, 2005)  ISBN: 0738705470 <br> Wicca 101 for young men. Wicca is a spiritual path open to all. Yet young men may have trouble identifying their place in this seemingly female-dominated religion. Without many male role models, how can one become empowered as a son of the Goddess? Christopher Penczak, who learned about Witchcraft and magick in his late teens, offers guidance to all the young men out there who are curious about Wicca. This much-needed masculine perspective on the Craft discusses divine masculinity found in ancient myths, male energies, and rites of passage. Penczak also describes the fundamentals of Wicca, including the rule of three, the Wiccan Rede, spellcraft, rituals, holidays, and Witchcraft ethics.  Namaste... Pete... </p> <p>"The Aboriginal Tradition" by James G Cowan (this book doesn't cover a lot on those subjects but does offer an interesting understanding of how totems work within aboriginal culture, among other things - Pete)</p> <p>"The Call of the Horned Piper" by Nigel AldCroft Jackson<br> The symbolism, archetypes & myths of the Traditional Craft, or Old Religion, in the British Isles & Europe. An exploration of the inner symbology, sacred cycles, working tools, incantations, spells & pathworking of the ancient Witchcraft. A practical grimoire, THE CAULDRON called it, "...the most important book on witchcraft since Gardner's Witchcraft Today.</p> <p>"The Ceremonial Circle", by Sedonia Cahill and Joshua Halpern. I recently picked up this book. Unfortunately it has more focus on women than men but I thought I would share the paragraph that heads the section on 'Men's Circles' to see what you guys thought...[<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><a href="book_review_some.htm#The Ceremonial Circle" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a></span>] Pete.</p> <p>"The Flowering Rod: Men, Sex and Spirituality" Kenny Klein [<a href="book_review_some.htm#The Flowering Rod" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"The Goatfoot God" by Dion Fortune [Dion Fortune -- aka. Violet Furth's-- Fiction also has had a great impact on the modern Pagan renaissance.]</p> <p>"The God of the Witches" by Dr. Margaret Murray [Controversial amongst scholars, even if those scholars are far too pedantic at times! This was probably the text which gave Witchcraft the Traditional God of the Horned God, the Lord of Beasts, etc.]</p> <p>"The Golden Bough" by Sir James Frazer.</p> <p>"The Grail Castle-Male Myths and Mysteries In the Celtic Tradition" by Kenneth Johnson & Marguerite Elsbeth from Llewellyn ISBN 1567183697 [<a href="book_review_some.htm#The Grail" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"The Hero : Manhood and Power" by; John Lash From the Art and Imagination series by Thames and Hudson, this book  is only 96 pages, with mostly illustrations, but is a great  compilation of images - both folk and fine art - portraying the complex history of manhood.</p> <p>"The Hero With a Thousand Faces" Joseph Campbell</p> <p>"The Horned God" by John Rowan. Its a Jungian perspective, and excellent, Hummy</p> <p>"The Inner Man" by Peter A O'Connor (subtitled- Men, Myths and Dreams) -(Sun Publishing, Australia ISBN 0 7251 0714 6) - [<a href="book_review_some.htm#The Inner Man" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"The Path Of The Green Man: Gay Men, Wicca, and Living a Magical Life" (Paperback) by Michael Thomas Ford {<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080652653X/102-1011485-3991357?v=glance&n=283155" target="_blank">Amazon.com link</a></span>}</p> <p>"The Quest for Maleness: Avoiding emasculation. Releasing the creative powers of the true male." by Théun Mares. Lionheart Publishing, South Africa. ISBN 1-919792-07-4<br> It looks to be an interesting book on Toltec beliefs of maleness and being a male. It doesn't have rituals, chants or other such stuff that you often get in pagan books - but is more about concepts and destroying myths.<br> The blurb from the back cover: <snip> Where have all the heroes gone? In today's world men everywhere are becoming weaker and more impotent as women challenge them in every field. What can men do about this? Are men headed for total emasculation? Or are we facing the battle of the sexes?<br> Revealing the true nature of masculinity, Toltec warrior and seer Théun Mares shows men how to get back in touch with the essential core of their maleness - a core that is nothing less than the untapped power of creativity. He describes how to access and release the creative power that is the right and duty of every true male to exercise. He shows how, by doing this, you will find the wisdom, vision and a sense of purpose to be a true leader, and to stand proud in your masculinity.<br> "The Quest for Maleness" is both a message of hope and a guidebook for every man who wants to find his way as a male and walk tall in the world today. </snip><br> just in case you wondered what emasculate means: "v.t. or a. castrate; weaken; deprive of vigour; render inoffensive., a. effeminate. " [<a href="book_review_some.htm#Quest for Maleness" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"The Quest for the Green Man" by John Matthews</p> <p>"The Torch and the Spear" by Patrick Regan </p> <p>"The Witches' God: Lord of the Dance" Janet & Stewart Farrar - A companion volume to The Witches' Goddess, The Witches' God examines twelve Gods in depth, plus lists over 1000 gods from many world cultures, past and present.</p> <p>"Voices of the First Day - Awakening in the Aboriginal Dreamtime", by Robert Lawlor 'Aboriginal Men of High Degree - Initiation and Sorcery in the World's Oldest Tradition', by A.P. Elkin</p> <p>"When I see the Wild God - Encountering Urban Celtic Witchcraft"   by Ly de Angeles<br> Publisher - <a href="http://www.llewellyn.com/" target="_blank">LLEWELLYN WORLDWIDE, USA<br> </a>Due for release June 2004 [<a href="http://www.lydeangeles.com/wildgod.html" target="_blank">more</a>] (external site) </p> <p>"When Santa Was a Shaman" by: Tony van Rentergham. A very good account of the Shaman figure traced back to the beginning of known ritual. This book is mainly focused on how the  image of modern day Santa Claus is based on Pagan figures such as Hernes, Pan, and Cernunnos as well as elaborating on how christianity has stolen all of it's myths from the old religions. </p> <p>"Wicca Spellcraft for Men" by A.J. Drew <br> 239 pages+ appendices c2001. New Page Books $12,99 (.U.S.) paperback. [<a href="book_review_some.htm#Wicca Spellcraft for Men" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Wiccan Warrior: Walking a Spiritual Path in a Sometimes Hostile World" by Kerr Cuhulain. Written by a Wiccan police officer and martial artist, Wiccan Warrior combines personal insights and real-life anecdotes with ritual, magick, energy work, meditation, self-examination, and self-discipline. From the author of The Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca.[<a href="book_review_some.htm#Wiccan Warrior" onmouseover="on(' ');return true" onmouseout="off()" target="_top">more</a>]</p> <p>"Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture" by Arthur Evans . . . a magnificent rant across history. Gripping, but not for the milquetoast.</p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p> <p align="center"><img border="0" src="images/symbols.gif" width="607" height="67"> </p> <p>this book list last reviewed 16 April, 2007 </p> <p align="center"> <a target="_top" href="fr_books.htm" onMouseOver="on(' ');return true" onMouseOut="off()"> {return to menu}</a></p>  </body>