The Masculine Journey: Understanding the Six Stages of Manhood

It is readable. It may not be a lot to ask, but too many of these kind of books are poorly written. For example, as I was reading The Masculine Journey, I was also reading Gordon Dalbey's Sons of the Father, the author's intents couldn't be more different. Aside from being almost unreadable, Dalbey sees men as victims, wounded by their father's in search of their manhood; whereas Hicks recognizes father's wounding, refuses to make men victims of their upbringing. Hicks is far more positive.

Although Hicks did try to avoid the cult of victimization he wasn't entirely successful. His reliance on, and quoting of, authors of the men's movement dates this otherwise excellent book. The men's movement authors convey a sense that men are adrift, not knowing which way to go and in doubt of their masculinity. Perhaps some men are adrift, but not all. Yes, there are father wounds, but not all men are wounded. Other reviewers call into doubt the Hicks exegetical scholarship. My Hebrew skills are inadequate to make a critical evaluation myself, but this should raise a flag of caution.

This was an extremely useful book. It helped me recognize the appropriateness of masculine behavior for each stage of life. What behavior is appropriate for a thirty year old, may not be appropriate for a sixty year old. The author also addresses the sexual issues in a way that few authors try; rather than skirting around the issue, he meets confronts it directly. The books also taught me about life's transitions. As we age from young, to middle age, to elderly, we, as men, need to change our perception as to who a man is, and what a man does.


Thought-provoking and challenging   November 22, 2002
Darryl B. Denison (Hermiston, Oregon, United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

The intent of this book is to examine six Hebrew words translated "man," moving from the generic term for a human, through four "masculinizing" stages, to the great end-stage of full maturation identified in The Sage. Well-respected Hebrew and Aramaic lexicons are referenced, enabling this reader to trust that the author was using objective source material and not attempting to get words to fit his agenda. An excellent appendix provides an overview of each of the six stages of manhood, providing, among many other things, an illustration of each term in both a Biblical character and a contemporary individual. The layout of the book could be improved by the publisher, particularly in chapter subdivisions, to more clearly identify the author's progression of thought and argument. However, the content is intellectually stimulating and, to one going through the "wounded" stage, deeply satisfying.


Very Illuminating   August 27, 1999
D. S. Bornus (St. Paul, MN)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

I found this book to be quite thought-provoking. It characterizes "manhood" in six "stages", each having their own purpose and issues. It put into words notions that I've been meditating about myself, as I get older. "When I was a child, I thought like a child...but when I became a man, I put away childish things." I read the book in one sitting and plan to reread it often for new insights as I go through my own journey.


Blasphemous   July 8, 1999
6 out of 48 found this review helpful

The author's interpretation of the Bible's comments on masculinity are his very own, and because of that, attempts breach the contract between the believer and God. It's blastphemous (not to mention silly) and the promise keepers fuzzy goal is distinctly UnAmerican.