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In this original book the author suggests the story of Daedalus as an archetypal model and pattern for maleness in our epoch. Tatham contends that the model provided by the Daedalus story has been largely ignored until now, to the detriment of the concept of maleness in our time, and argues forcefully
and persuasively for its inclusion. He further states that the emphasis he sees placed on the hero as a model has obscured the potential value of the Daedalus model.
The author carefully describes the course of Daedalus in his life's journey; showing his ability to survive, live a long life and bring to fruition different creative aspects of himself. He shows that, by the end of his life, Daedalus has made very significant cultural contributions. This happens especially by virtue of his quality that the author describes as 'well-craftedness'—which includes dedication to skill and craftsmanship, endurance, determination, imagination and the ability to use imaginative flight to create inventions and constructions.
Imaginative flight is an important aspect of the escape of Daedalus and his son, Icarus, from their confinement in the labyrinth where Minos has incarcerated them. The author explores the mythical figures and background in which Daedalus moved and lived. He demonstrates Daedalus's relationships to figures in his life and how these relationships bring out different aspects of him and contribute to his psychological journey and development.
Tatham also describes the story of Daedalus and his nephew Talus, unfolding its meaning at a psychological level and using it to illustrate another aspect of psychological development. The author's delineation of this is skilled and masterful (epithets he himself would apply to Daedalus). Exploring meaning is undertaken in the traditional Jungian way of understanding myth as parallelling process in psychological development.
The author clearly holds the view that deve