Gods in Everyman: Archetypes that Shape Men’s Lives

By Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD

Gods in Everyman is a superior introduction to the male Greek Olympian deities as archetypes for men’s lives. “Gods and goddesses represent different qualities in the human psyche,” writes the author. “The pantheon of Greek deities together, male and female, exist as archetypes in us all, although the gods are usually the strongest and most influential determinants of a man’s personality, as the goddesses are for women.” It is excellent reading for men who want to understand themselves better, and for women who would like to understand men better. The author covers the “father gods” - Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades - as well as the “son gods” - Apollo, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus, Dionysus, and lastly, the Missing God.

This is an important book within the Mythological Man curriculum, and we regularly run virtual (and sometimes in-person) reading groups focused on this book.