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Odysseus & the Oar: Healing After War and Military Service
373 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 6, 2025
This book belongs in the hands of every single combat veteran.
In Odysseus & the Oar Magers has managed to make the works of both Homer and Carl Jung not only accessible, but perfectly relatable to the modern era of warriors. Through clear and effective writing Magers interweaves his own experiences as both a veteran and psychotherapist in a surprisingly entertaining and well-paced way. Given the nature of this content, this is not an easy thing to do. I had intended on reading Odysseus & the Oar the week that it came out. I started, but realized that though the book is written in plain language that it was one I would benefit from reading slowly. I read a chapter per week and sat with the lessons therein. Each chapter was like a breakthrough therapy session.
I came home from Iraq in 2006 and in the nearly twenty years since I have struggled in such a familiar way to what this book lays out. I have done just about everything suggested over the past two decades to mend the wounds of war, I have written extensively about my experiences, maintained several different mindfulness practices, tried therapy and more than a few psychedelic ceremonies. I started reading the works of Carl Jung several years ago out of personal interest and this book somehow brought all of these steps of my journey home together cohesively. As both a veteran of foreign wars and as a writer I will be recommending Odysseus & the Oar every chance I get. If you know a combat veteran, I strongly urge you to get them this book. It was one of the most impactful books I have read in a very long time.
In Odysseus & the Oar Magers has managed to make the works of both Homer and Carl Jung not only accessible, but perfectly relatable to the modern era of warriors. Through clear and effective writing Magers interweaves his own experiences as both a veteran and psychotherapist in a surprisingly entertaining and well-paced way. Given the nature of this content, this is not an easy thing to do. I had intended on reading Odysseus & the Oar the week that it came out. I started, but realized that though the book is written in plain language that it was one I would benefit from reading slowly. I read a chapter per week and sat with the lessons therein. Each chapter was like a breakthrough therapy session.
I came home from Iraq in 2006 and in the nearly twenty years since I have struggled in such a familiar way to what this book lays out. I have done just about everything suggested over the past two decades to mend the wounds of war, I have written extensively about my experiences, maintained several different mindfulness practices, tried therapy and more than a few psychedelic ceremonies. I started reading the works of Carl Jung several years ago out of personal interest and this book somehow brought all of these steps of my journey home together cohesively. As both a veteran of foreign wars and as a writer I will be recommending Odysseus & the Oar every chance I get. If you know a combat veteran, I strongly urge you to get them this book. It was one of the most impactful books I have read in a very long time.
September 1, 2024
“Odysseus & The Oar” serves as a profound reminder that the journey from war to peace is not just about leaving the battlefield behind but about reclaiming and redefining our identities. It calls on us to confront the deep wounds of our experiences, embrace the wisdom of our unconscious, and seek out the connections that make life in civilian society meaningful. The book underscores that healing is a journey—one that requires patience, courage, and a willingness to engage with the complexities of our inner world. By doing so, we not only restore balance within ourselves but also offer the possibility of healing to others who share similar paths.
January 7, 2025
Although I am not a military veteran, first responder, or the like, I have experienced the need to do battle due to childhood trauma and hard experiences. I see the pattern Adam lays out for the warrior in my own life as well, but certainly not to the extent of warriors in the true sense of the word.
If you are a veteran or first responder please read this book. The Battle Within is a great resource that provides free assistance and support to those in need.
If you are a veteran or first responder please read this book. The Battle Within is a great resource that provides free assistance and support to those in need.
September 19, 2024
It is difficult for me to state how powerful this book is. Adam Magers has put together a magnificent work that challenges the reader, especially the veteran reader, to explore their actions and inactions. We are fundamentally changed by our experiences, and the author's goal is to help us see and accept this.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews