Defining Hybrid Heroes

“Defining Hybrid Heroes is a must-read book because it reimagines Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey. Three authors develop a new approach to heroes that takes it off its pedestal. Heroes no longer need to be the ideal type, the perfect moral right-acting person who lives in a time when gangsters and errant politicians, such as Trump, are considered heroes in some parts of society. To understand the path of the hybrid is to understand that all human beings have some heroic possibility and make some difficult transformation that qualifies them to be heroes. We all wanna be heroes. We all want heroes to save the day. But heroes are not saints. The book is a fascinating read offering a balanced mix of practical advice, a summary of the available literature and some new ideas.” — Emeritus Professor David Boje, New Mexico State University, and Honorary Professor at Fisk University “Defining Hybrid Heroes is a must-read for the heroism enthusiast and socially conscious practitioner and academic. This book artfully integrates insights from a wide range of disciplines, including film, philosophy, psychology, and leadership theory, to illustrate the complexities of heroism and the grey areas it traverses. In a world that desperately needs more heroes, we equally need rich work such as this one that illuminates its intricate layers to recognize how it can be applied in many different facets of modern life.”— Olivia Efthimiou, PhD, Murdoch University “This book is a breath of fresh air in providing an insightful look into the field of heroes, villains, and hybrid heroes. The combination of an analysis and critique of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey with a look at the world of TV drama, fiction, and film where this model has been much used, alongside real-world hybrid heroes, provides a thought-provoking look at these characters and roles and offers an enjoyable and entertaining read. The book is simply an informative and enjoyable read for anyone interested in the topic as well as a potential springboard for scholars and researchers.” — Professor Clare Hindley, International University of Applied Sciences, Germany