Iron John
by Robert Bly
Mentioned once across 1 show · first heard Dec 2025 on Huberman Lab.
The general take
Terry Real praises Iron John as an amazing book, crediting Robert Bly as a foundational figure in the men's movement who inspired the iconic image of guys drumming in the woods. Real notes the book resonates mainly with older listeners, suggesting it's become somewhat dated or less relevant to younger audiences.
About
This bestseller is a new vision of what a man is or could be, drawing on psychology, anthropology, mythology, folklore and legend. "Important. Timely and powerful." ― New York Times Robert Bly writes that it is clear to men that the images of adult manhood given by popular culture are worn out―men can no longer depend on them. In Iron John , Robert Bly looks at the importance of the Wild Man (reminiscent of the Wild Woman in Women Who Run With the Wolves ), who he compares to a Zen priest, a shaman or a woodman. He explores the idea of the missing father in contemporary society. Iron John draws upon a cornucopia of legend and literature―as varied as the poetry of William Blake, Jungian psychology, and Sioux initiation rituals―to encourage men in their pursuit of the “inner warrior.”
Who said what
Terry Real👍 Recommends
…discussing men's movements and literature on masculinity
“On the other hand, I had the privilege of being – many of your listeners are too young for this. But there was a great guy, Robert Bly. He wrote Iron John. Yeah. Amazing book. He was like the Mr. Men's Movement, guys drumming in the woods.”
Huberman Lab — Defining Healthy Masculinity & How to Build It | Terry Realat 17:24
Listener reviews
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