This is a god book if you want to understand your personality and how to live with yourself and the people around you. In some ways it is like psychology 101. Some chapters are easy to read and understand but others are the kind that take longer to understand. Helps if you have a friend to compare note with.

Haven't read it yet, but the the table of contents and a quick review confirm that this is serious and thorough material.

Carol Pearson, co-creator of the Pearson-Marr Archetypes Indicator, explores 12 archetypes "to help us find ourselves and transform our world." Transformation, in this case, seems to be an inner journey of revising our self-concept, deepening and enriching our ideas about others, and gaining new insights, rather than a program for material engagement with outer circumstances.

Purchaser can take the Heroic Myth Index (HMI; I am not sure how this differs from the PMAI, a proprietary instrument) to find out what archetypes are strongest in you. It is an interesting activity. The description of each archetypes tells about its spiritual journey. Self-growth exercises are proposed at the end of the chapter. As well, Pearson includes useful background information about achieving inner balance. The writing is sometimes a bit stodgy, and I prefer more examples. This is outweighed by Pearson's credentials as a professional whose research has contributed to our understanding and use of archetypes as tools for personal understanding and growth.

It's easy to forget the good things and focus on the problems. This is a delightful book that reminds us to seek the best in each other and to live with the intention to create a great relationship.

It's easy to forget the good things and focus on the problems. This is a delightful book that reminds us to seek the best in each other and to live with the intention to create a great relationship.

This book is based on Carol Pearson's extensive study and experience of the archetypes (i.e. magician, lover, caregiver, warrior, fool, destroyer etc.) a little Jungian psychology and her personal and consulting experience. The reader can do a survey in the back to see which archetypes are most active in their life (I found the survey in the back to be fairly accurate) and then read about those archetypes, how they express and there's some guidance for the development of each archetype at the end of each chapter in the form of practical exercises. There's extensive examples and discussion of each archetype drawing from a number of perspectives and sources including popular culture, movies, other author's work and a discussion of the different levels of development of each archetype including the shadow side, addictions and compulsions of each.... some of which you may be (intimately) familiar with!

This book begins with some general discussion and background information, an outline of the Soul and the Self and how growing through the archetypes can be related to the hero's journey, which is then followed by an in depth discussion of each archetype. If you're interested in self development, you may try looking at doing some of the exercises around the archetypes you don't have much awareness or development in. Many people would find this quite challenging, for instance, for the person who takes themselves too seriously (I'm talking from experience here!) could spend a week taking nothing seriously and exploring the archetype of the fool, and how the expression and experience of that archetype can enhance one's life.

If you've read and enjoyed Pearson's other books or have an interest in archetypal energies, or just an interest in exploring your own character, then this is a great and easy place to start. This book also includes notes in the back with references for further study.

Pearson has made work with and the study of the archetypes her life work and you will learn much from a study of this and her other works.

As a software developer and mathematician presently in my early 60's, ever since I can remember I have always been long on technology and short on "people" knowledge Yet from my early adolescence I remember my dad telling me how important it is to know oneself. While I always agreed with this good advice, whenever I explored my soul, I seemed to fail to come up with meaningful, non-judgemental answers - possibly because my questions themselves were not thought provoking.

Enter Ms Peason and her "Heros Within" book. Her brilliant, accessible review of the 12 archetypes that define our personalities suddenly provided me with a new handle - a key to a better understanding of myself and others. What I particularly appreciated in her book was its combination of a rigurous, scientific treatment of the subject, couched in a language both accessible and devoid of academic circumlucutions. I would reccomend her book to anyone who wants to understand himself/herself better and/or redefine his/her professional and personal life.

I'm a Creator and a Magician!--who wouldn't be happy to have learned that? I'm also a gardener, a teacher, an artist, an adopted grandmother, a community worker, and I have a lot of other roles in life. Because I read this book, I recognize my strengths and my inclinations better, and I know what to emphasize in my work and in my relationships. I'm glad I read this, and I'm giving copies to others who are unsure about their strengths and how to apply them. Thanks!

Dr. Pearson wrote this book with the lay person in mind. I never really understood what psychological archetypes were until I read this book. It is a well written "key" which will likely enhance your understanding of Dr. Carl Jung's work. When used with other great books like THE MODERN ALCHEMIST and EGO AND ACHETYPE, the average lay person can supercharge his/her personal understanding of life patterns and challenges, resulting in accelerated inner growth.

Dr. Pearson's book, Awakening the Heroes Within, provides an ideal vehicle for self-discovery and renewal. The book contains self-score instruments that will help readers discover previously untapped sources of personal power. The book seems particularly well suited for adults in their professional years who are looking for ways to clarify their place in the world. The theoretical foundation for the work is both well-grounded and intuitively appealing. Friends, family, and students, have thanked me for the recommendation of this scholarly work. Like me, they revisit the book whenever they are in the mood for a psyche checkup.

Daniel R. Lofald, PhD, Educational Psychologist