He: Understanding Masculine Psychology

Robert A. Johnson's classic work of Jungian psychology, exploring the differences between man and woman, female and male—newly reissued.

What does it really mean to be a man? What are some of the landmarks along the road to mature masculinity? And what of the feminine components of a man's personality?

Women have developed, over the centuries, considerable expertise in the technique of adapting to men, and for good reason, but that is not the same as truly understanding them. The transition from male childhood to real manhood, a core theme in masculine psychology, is a complicated struggle, and explored in this book.

As timely today as when it was first published, He provides a fascinating look into male identity and how female dynamics influence men.

Drawing on the timeless myth of Parsifal and the Holy Grail, this book offers a profound look at the archetypes that shape a man’s life:

• The Fisher King Wound: Discover the universal wound every adolescent receives that begins the journey into consciousness, alienation, and the search for meaning.
• Masculine Archetypes: Explore the inner figures—from the innocent fool Parsifal to the heroic Red Knight—that represent the stages of a man’s psychological evolution.
• The Anima: Understand the powerful “inner woman” or feminine side of a man, and learn how this crucial element can lead to creativity or destructive moods.
• The Mother Complex: Examine one of the most critical hurdles in a man’s development: the struggle to move beyond the mother’s influence to achieve true independence.