FIRE IN THE BELLY

From Publishers Weekly The new male that Keen envisions is neither devoted careerist nor self-absorbed New Age guy nor cool, detached "post-modern man." He is husbandman and steward of the earth--strong, vulnerable, with a capacity for moral outrage, empathy and wonder--whose right livelihood is consonant with ecological awareness. Consulting editor of Psychology Today , Keen ( Faces of the Enemy ) argues that men must define their identities by severing themselves from women as approval-giving mother figures and as the ancient Goddess who continues to exert power within the male psyche's hidden recesses. Going beyond the modern rites of manhood--alienating work, war, performance-oriented sex--the new male "psychonaut" brings forth meaning by undertaking "a spiritual journey into the self." Men--and women--will be enriched by the uncommon insights in Keen's speculative primer. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Library Journal It would be too simplistic to characterize this book as a treatise on male liberation, for Keen goes farther in categorizing male and female traits than do many other books on the subject. Many readers may even find his discussion in the chapter "It's a Woman's World" disquieting. Keen argues that if the old gender/sex differentiations are wrong, so are modern unisex approaches. The difference between men and women is more than biological. Keen does not articulate the difference, however, calling it a mystery. Describing what being a man has historically meant, he argues forcefully that we need a new understanding, one that he hopes his book will help form. Challenging, well written, recommended, and definitely not for men only. - John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Lib., New York Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.