Logos Therapy Services Reading List
We are often asked about places to start when it comes to learning about masculinity or engaging in therapy. The following is a list of some of our favourite books on the subject of men, masculinity, and growth along with brief descriptions of what you can expect. We hope you enjoy and find them enlightening!
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine
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Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette
Mythologists and psychoanalytic practitioners
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The seminal text on how the male psyche is constructed.
This was the book that began our interest in understanding how men relate to the world and construct their realities. This is book is not a practical “how to” manual, but instead a thorough map of what comprises the mature masculine psyche.
The King Within: Accessing the King in the Male Psyche
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Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette
Mythologists and psychoanalytic practitioners
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If you read KWML and want more then this book is for you. A deeper and more specific exploration in to the King Archetype and what men can expect when they attempt to access it in their lives.
The Way of the Superior Man: A Spiritual Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Women, Work, and Sexual Desire
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David Deida
Author, intellectual, and teacher
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While not for the faint of heart, for those open to being challenged, David Deida’s 1997 classic on masculinity will encourage you to take a more vulnerable look at yourself in the mirror and ask that you be better for both yourself and the people you love.
Meditations
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Marcus Aurelius
Philosopher King of Ancient Rome
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There are few examples in our modern world where we get an in depth glance in to the mind of a true philosopher while navigating his own life. A rare opportunity to glance in to the mind of a man who had all the power in all the world, but instead of using it to achieve self-grandeur, chose to wield it to explore humility, temperance, and self-control.
Fire in the Belly: On Being a Man
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Sam Keen
Author, professor, and philosopher
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Few books focusing on the male psyche provide the depth of analysis that Sam Keen does in Fire in the Belly. Throughout the various stages of life and the litany of set backs a man can face, Keen describes the lessons he learned with vulnerability and openness which could inspire any modern man to reflect on themselves and their choices.
Iron John: A Book About Men
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Robert Bly
Poet, philosopher, and group facilitator
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The human mind is wired for story and to interpret the world as a series of narratives. Robert Bly masterfully shares insights in to both the pain and the joy of the developing masculine psyche. He does this through the retelling of the Grimm Fairy Tale “Iron John” alongside cultural examples from around the globe and spanning great lengths of time.
The Alchemist
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Paulo Coelho
Novelist and lyricist
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While this is the only work of fiction on the reading list it is present for good reason. The Brazilian author weaves a beautiful story about risk, reward, and adventure while at the same time instilling the importance of cultivating maturity.
T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us
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Carole Hooven
Scientist, researcher, and professor
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Perhaps the most scientifically minded of all the books recommended here, Carole Hooven helps to both illustrate and conceptualize the role that testosterone plays in male development. She also shares the insights from her research as to what makes men both dangerous and very special.
The Male Brain: A Breakthrough Understanding of How Men and Boys Think
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Louann Brizendine
Scientist, medical doctor, lecturer
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A simple and to the point walkthrough of what male physiology looks like at a glance and throughout various stages of life. Drawing from both clinical research and individual case studies the information presented helps the reader better appreciate and understand what makes men different and how their minds evolve over time.