From Boys to Men: Spiritual Rites of Passage in an Indulgent Age
“From Boys to Menis a crucial read for parents, teachers, grandparents, and everyone who makes policies about young men. Bret Stephenson is masterful in his presentation of how to help boys “slay the dragon” and thus find a contributive, healthy, and successful manhood. I highly recommend this book!” (Michael Gurian, author of A Fine Young Man, The Wonder of Boys, and The Wonder of Girls)“[Stephenson] offers practical models, methods, and activities for changing problematic behavior that draw on a wide range of transition rites that he has recreated for the modern teenage boy. A broad audience will find this a fascinating and hopeful glimpse into the contemporary struggles of American boyhood.” (Religion Bookline, Dec 2006)“If the vast sums currently spent on trying to keep teenagers in a failed and punishing school system were spent on projects such as this, a major step toward social health would unfold. Buy this book, put it to use and spread the word.”  (Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of Magical Child and The Biology of Transcendence)“This book builds a much needed bridge between contemporary knowledge and the wisdom of indigenous elders, utilizing tools that are familiar to the western experience and infusing them with ancestral spiritual wisdom.”  (Malidoma Somé, author of Healing Wisdom of Africa and Of Water and Spirit)“Bret Stephenson takes a hard look at how we are raising boys and explores how ancient wisdom and traditional practices can be used to help adolescent males become healthy young men and active members of the community.” (Aaron Kipnis, Ph.D., author of Angry Young Men: How Parents, Teachers, and Counselors Can Help ")"Society needs to know these ideas and practices." (Ralph Metzner, author of Maps of Consciousness and The Unfolding Self)"A brilliant and practical resource and guide for stewarding adolescent boys into responsible leadership and manhood . . . a must for parents, teachers, leaders, and managers." (Angeles Arrien, Ph.D, cultural anthropologist and author of The Four-Fold Way and Signs of Life)"[This book] offers up something different: a book which blends cultural and magical insights with parenting and youth reflections for maximum benefit. Any who want an alternative way of coping with adolescents will find FROM BOYS TO MEN packed with spiritual and social insights taken from older cultures versed in rites of passage." (Diane C. Donovan, California Bookwatch, Feb 2007)"This book should be read by all parents of male children in the affluent world." (Curled Up with a Good Book)