The Heroic and Exceptional Minority: A Guide to Mythological Self-Awareness and Growth

The most impressive part of this book is how in the introduction the author weaves together mythological analysis of The Lion King, Star Wars, Superman, and The Iron Giant. It could have been a naïve and superficial point but, instead, turns out to be a valid realization about how we pass moral lessons about heroism to future generations through our culture. I would read a whole book of just Gregory V. Diehl’s interpretations of the narrative structure and mythic meaning of popular films! 😊

In the same manner in which all of the “classics” are rich with complexity, depth, enrichment, and true enlightenment, this book is a very special and unique conversation that is as likely to be understood as it is to be misunderstood.The above statement may seem paradoxical. However, for an exceptional sector of the world’s population who truly seek (the Capital-T) Truth, this book is a godsend; a validation that you are not alone, despite the seeming insignificance of your significance.The author has a unique way of accurately articulating what many “gifted and talented” people have thought, felt, or otherwise lived at various points in their yearning lives. For example, in the chapter on “Priority and Discretion,” Mr. Diehl states, “There exists a narrow band of comfortable experience that defines the ways that we can function in the world.”This statement, in and of itself, may seem innocuous, if not vague. Yet, it is a powerful Truth that, when fully ingested by the reader, we further understand the author’s associated corollary which states, “If we step outside that range a little, the outcome is discomfort. If we step too far, the outcome is destructive.” Think about the manner in which you have been raised; how far from your previous (youthful) life is your current (adult) life? The author helps us understand the powerful linkages to our past… and the extraordinary strength we may need to fully strike out on our own unbeaten path.Indeed… the book is densely packed with Truisms that inspired me to read and re-read the book twice more. Yes, I read it three times, learning something new during each successive read.I call this book a very special and unique “conversation” not only because the audiobook is truly captivating as it is read by the author, but also because the word “conversation” has a parallel literary definition that speaks to the manner in which we carry ourselves. Likewise, this work of art nudges, pushes, and pulls the reader along a path of a (much) greater understanding of the full self; the good, the bad, and the potentially ugly.I note that some reviewers have taken issue with the overarching tone of sincere confidence implied and imparted within the pages. However, I believe this misplaced slight is more about those readers who have unfortunately rejected the idea that we are absolutely, unequivocally, and wonderfully responsible for the choices we make in life… including the choice to believe that we are capable of far more than what others believe about us.In the final analysis, the engineer will engineer; the painter will paint; the father will father; and the mother will mother.But there are endless other ways in which we infinitely affect this wonderful world and concurrently effect our powerful presence on this planet. Most people don’t understand the one simple concept that we change the world everywhere we go. This book eloquently wakes us up to that fact.Moreover, Mr. Diehl has ultimately provided a superlative guide on how to optimize the gifts we have been given.I found the book validating in a way that cannot be expressed in words.At the risk of being trite, perhaps a good synopsis ends with this: “If ya know, ya know.”

BRILLIANT! This book is a rational exploration of the existential challenges of being human, especially for the critical thinkers among us. For such folk, it simply is not possible to take the lived experience on face value. We delve more deeply, determined to understand the very fabric of existence, tug the threads just to see what will happen, and re-weave them in a pattern to our liking. Our cognitive frameworks are generally robust, but we frequently examine and reshape them in response to the data we collect from life experience. Willing to take risks, face alienation, and be proven wrong, we do it anyway, simply because we can't not do it. These are the things the author is referring to when he refers to the heroic minority and in doing so, offers plenty of advice on remaining mentally fit. I highly recommend this book to anyone who dares to think deeply about anything.

After illuminating us on how travel transforms us into our more true self, and how these lessons can be used to craft a strong identity for your brand, Diehl goes further in his new work on the power that lies behind those previous books.He shows how becoming an outcast, pariah, someone that doesn't fit in society or just has trouble adapting owns a unique opportunity. That opportunity is the discovery not only of new outside things that can be brought back to the tribe but also one's true strengths.Becoming an exceptional person is not about elitism and superiority, but finding uniqueness. Of creating order and finding that valuable thing inside you that can't be copied. Just quoted after Elbert Hubbard "One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man."This ability is slumbering in all of us if we dare to walk the new path. Because to turn from an outsider into a hero and an exceptional person needs introspection and challenge, but also guidance. As the hero in the hero's journey eventually meets a teacher, this book might already give you a helping hand.Diehl explains in his masterful words the aspects and the process one has to follow and is writing not just philosophically, but from experience as well. This allows him to point out the stages and discoveries one might make along the way.

Insightful, enlighten and creative,training for social elite Olympians.But,There should be an age disclosure for reading this type of material, some people are not mentally ready to carry such weight, mentorship is needed for this type of training, so the mind doesn’t radicalized.I recommend reading it, if one is of age and feels our environment has caused stagnation, it definitely awakens!

The book presents a series of philosophical musings of the author, which is interesting to read, but it lacks practical application. After reading the book, I come away feeling certain that the author is a highly intelligent person, yet I am still uncertain of the steps to take to develop myself into a heroic and exceptional minority. Perhaps, my disappointment is due to the fact that I expected it to be a guide or even a manual that provides structure and practical steps.