Uncovering Masculine Psychology: A Guide to Understanding Men, by Robert A. Johnson

Rebekah C. Mindful Mama: One of my top favorite books. It's not only an amazing psychological perspective on the masculine, but it also happens to explain Parsifal in Jungian terms (symbols) beautifully. I found the Parsifal explanations so helpful I quoted them in my book. I can't say enough about it. I would probably buy every male friend & their wives/SO's a copy of this for Christmas, lol. Just read it. It's really needed in today's culture too. I like that it's not political but psychological.

United States on Oct 07, 2023

romo218: I felt the book and a lot of the interpretations Johnson brought out were helpful. I think a lot of men in their 20's and 30's can use this if they keep an open mind. The complaint I've seen somewhat consistent is that it feels like an incomplete experience. One thing to consider is that the original text of the Holy Grail quest was not completed and several authors began putting in their own interpretations on how it continued. One thing I think might be helpful would using Jung's "active imagination" technique of meditation and trying to walk through the quest and seeing how it changes and reflects parts of your life.

United States on Aug 19, 2023

Leticia: A capa não é a mesma da imagem do site

Brazil on Oct 08, 2021

Elena Sizykh: A highly recommended book. Easy to read and follow

Germany on Feb 20, 2021

Valerie: Still as fresh and insightful as the day it was written, with a poignant message for any man.

Australia on Dec 27, 2019

Avidreader: A very wise book, written using the Grail myths as mythology and symbolism for masculine psychology and its development using a post-Jungian analysis. What looks like clunking gender stereotypical work is in fact a subtle and nuanced description of great importance that is highly relevant to our age, despite using medieval myth as the basis to explain it. As the author states medieval myths reflect and make our society and its values, especially of 'He'

Hence, this book can be read on a number of levels. There is a review saying 'a terrible book' that is the level of someone who hasn't yet been able to get the level of wisdom to go beyond the (apparently) strange symbology (Parsifal, the Grail etc) and hear anything about what it is really saying about what men are and what drives them (or better what He is). At another level it could be considered 'awful' (another review) but it is important to understand that He is also a concept that woman is required to take on (and does everywhere in our society) so while the title is He it does not mean 'men' it means the male archetype, rather than the feminine (She) Such is the prevalence of Patriarchy in our society that we can't...

United Kingdom on Jul 12, 2017

Rick Raymond: For those wanting a deeper understanding of their relationship to God (Higher Power, Universal Truth), their role or archetype of the male, and their relationship to the female, their relationship to who they are, this is an important book. Johnson, a Jungian analyst, brings a deep understanding of the human spiritual relationship to his readers in his writing. Though writing from a Christian perspective his work can be recognized applicable from all faiths. I've read, so far, his books Balancing Heaven & Earth, and He; and find his thinking/writing comparable to Rabbi Abraham Heschel, Man is Not Alone.

My personal evolution is more "layers of an onion-like (or leaves of an artichoke-like because there is a heart in the middle, as a friend says) than explosive. I see, sense and am living my life different from reading Johnson.

United States on Sep 21, 2016

Devlin Healy: Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Read it through cover to cover in one sitting (only 90ish pages).

Put my subconscious model of male development into worded form - in a very elegant way might I add.

As society gets more and more "advanced" men are being left in the dust, and to boot - with less means to grow by the fire. Most men will need to opt to to the pages of the book to grow, and to do it consciously, instead of in ages past where it was done in ceremony.

If your one of these men (nothing wrong with admitting it, we all have our own paths) I highly recommend this quick read.

United States on Jan 18, 2016

Gregory Johnson: A terrific read. Great information. Just a little 'old school' but completely relevant.

Canada on Jul 09, 2015

Angela L. Schnaubelt: I have read this three times, and have given it as a gift to many great men in my life.

This is a short book, but packed with psychological insights that are useful to grow -- not just for adolescents, but for every man.

Emotional maturity and spiritual maturity overlap, in my estimation,.Robert A. Johnson does an excellent job of using a parable to bring you along on how men can reconcile their feminine side with their masculine side without losing their masculinity or sanity, and how they can overcome many of the natural growing pains all men experience in this society.
Johnson explores many archetypes and cathartic experiences and how to integrate them into the psyche to become whole, mature, happy.

I highly recommend this book to both men and women alike.

United States on Mar 11, 2014