Rick Belden - Iron Man Family Outing

Book Description
Inspired by a puzzling series of dreams about a favorite comic book hero from his boyhood, the author embarks upon an arduous but ultimately healing odyssey into a dark and damaged internal landscape, the wreckage of a childhood spent with an angry, abusive, distant father. As he begins to understand these dreams, and allows them to lead him forward, he also begins to accept his unique personal history, understand its consequences in his adult life, and take responsibility for his own healing.

Iron Man Family Outing is widely used in the United States and internationally by therapists, counselors, and men's groups as an aid in the exploration of masculine psychology and men's issues, and as a resource for men who grew up in dysfunctional, abusive, or neglectful family systems.  It has been ranked at Amazon.com as the number one book on father-son relationships, one of the top 10 poetry books, a top 20 book on man-woman relationships, and a top 10 book on sex roles, as determined by reader reviews.  An interview with Rick Belden about Iron Man Family Outing on Dr. Chris Blazina's show, The Secret Lives of Men, was the fifth most popular episode of the show in 2009.

A Message from the Author
I never intended to write this book, or any book for that matter. And I certainly didn't set out initially to share something this raw and personal with the rest of the world. But as these poems emerged and took shape, it became clear to me that there was a powerful transpersonal process at work that was bigger than me and my own life.

In that context, the creation of this book took on something of a sacred quality for me. I came to realize that, by opening a window into some of the deepest, most intimate places in myself and my process, I might also help other men see themselves more clearly and take action to address issues in their own lives. I hope that both men and women alike can find some truly personal value in this work.

I would also like to acknowledge the work of artist John Dolley, who did such an incredible job of bringing so many of the themes and images in the book to life with his haunting, beautifully rendered illustrations.

For a more thorough exploration of my history and relationship with the Iron Man character and mythology, and how they led me to the creation of Iron Man Family Outing, please read my article entitled "My Life with Iron Man".

Availability
For information about how to order a signed copy of Iron Man Family Outing, please visit the Contact page on this web site. 

Rick Belden, author of Iron Man Family Outing

Click here to view a video welcome message from Rick.