MADNESS AT THE GATES OF THE CITY The Myth of American Innocence

by Barry Spector

As the post-modern world lurches toward the disasters and bereavements that signal the end of an age, we turn to myth to comprehend the elemental forces that move through our lives, to know who we are, to understand which stories inform our consciousness. MADNESS AT THE GATES OF THE CITY, writes Robert Johnson in his introduction, shows how America regularly re-enacts old patterns that cause us to subvert our goals and miss the deeper meaning in events. But by looking at American history, politics and popular culture through the lenses of Greek mythology, indigenous wisdom and archetypal psychology, the author discovers new hope in very old ways of thinking. This book should appeal to anyone interested in myth, Classics, history, psychology or progressive politics. Winner of the 2011 PEN Oakland JOSEPHINE MILES LITERARY AWARD.

Genres: Mythology, History

522 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Barry Spector looks at American History and culture through the lenses of Greek myth, archetypal psychology and indigenous wisdom. He writes for Jung Journal: Culture and Psyche.
He lives in Menlo Park, California and is available for author events in the San Francisco Bay area."

Reviews

[Janet Kane]

I loved this book. I am interested in mythology and this book describes Dionysus and his influence in our lives.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spector offers a mythologist's view of the troubles in our world. One big theme is how the Greek god Dionysus (especially as described in The Bacchae) represents a "loosening" force in our psyches and in the world, an antidote to the paradigm of control and domination which civilization has adopted (along with the rationalism represented by Apollo). A second big theme is how civilized men are missing a community initiation process (typical in indigenous cultures), and thus (for the most part) become stuck in adolescence, unable to act maturely for the community's benefit.

This is interesting as a supplement to our usual political critiques, offering an additional tool for analysis. It's provocative in suggesting that our large problems will probably not be solved through the usual political, economic, and technological approaches (whether reformist or revolutionary), since our civilization has for thousands of years suffered psychological problems related to a lack of initiation, and symbolized by the rejection of Dionysus.

I enjoyed reading the book, but wished it could be shorter. Spector covers a lot of ground, giving many examples of what is wrong and how we might interpret facts and events using his tools of analysis. I just found it wearing me out after a while--partly due to the deluge of bad news. But clearly there's room for more psychological critiques of modernity that are able to see the big picture, so I appreciate this mythologist's view.

[culley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In past eras a book this subversive would have been labeled heresy - Madness at the Gates of the City is disturbing because it tells a dark, mythic story of America that feels true to the bone. Barry Spector reveals the cultural shadow with a haunting clarity (opacity) that is true to his name. And, like so many other big thinkers, he is ultimately optimistic. The time of our longed-for initiation has finally arrived - it is time for a new era and new myths are attempting to emerge. Read this book if you are ready for cultural transformation. Read this book if you are ready to grieve.

"If we cannot disengage from our myths, then we need to look deeper into them."

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. It totally predicts Occupy Oakland, and gives good guidelines or action. Many of our leaders like George W. Bush never really underwent an initiation to become a man. This book gives a good historical and cultural perspective to what is happening in our country now. It may be difficult to obtain, but it will be worth the effort.

[Gary Itano]

15a11 @####@@ Lifeboathour Barry & Maya Spector, Madness At The Gates Of The City- The Myth of American Innocence .9 as excuse to demonize & abuse .36 dead's favorite foods.mp3 Interview did not mention Japan's wholly intact & thriving culture of ancestor recognition & reverence.