This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
The Greek Gods Among Us by Michael Mahana is an illuminating take on crossing psychology with Greek mythology. Mahana breaks away from the traditional norm of looking at gods as objects of worship but rather views them as metaphorical images of our inner self, and that each god caters to a particular desire that requires balance as each of them dominates a particular province in our psyche. Mahana offers this radically different way of viewing experience as a more effective way of dealing with concepts like guilt, stress, and responsibility. Personification allows us to view such abstractions more concretely. This book should not be mistaken for religion. No dogma is involved, and the ancient Greeks did not so much believe in their gods but rather were inspired to emulate their virtues. It invites us to view gods in grounded reality, as images of our choices and experience.
Mahana, armed with a background in Comparative Literature and Cultural Anthropology, analyzes Greek gods to uncover the god archetype of the human psyche. He effectively frames a god-human parallel by fusing his own research with experience. Thinking of aspects within ourselves as personified gods allows us to relate and understand ourselves better. This must not be construed as a method of god-blaming if something in our lives goes awry, nor is it an invitation to take a leap of faith. It is more of an alternative approach to look for meaning within ourselves. We are more likely to see patterns when we see images and deal with them more effectively. The Greek Gods Among Us merits five stars for its figurative approach to psychology. It is a great read for those who are into self-improvement.
