Preview
  • The Middle Passage

  • From Misery to Meaning in Midlife
  • By: Dr. James Hollis
  • Narrated by: James Hollis
  • Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (632 ratings)

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The Middle Passage

By: Dr. James Hollis
Narrated by: James Hollis
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Publisher's summary

Author James Hollis' eloquent reading provides the listener with an accessible and yet profound understanding of a universal condition - or what is commonly referred to as the mid-life crisis. The book shows how we may travel this Middle Passage consciously, thereby rendering our lives more meaningful and the second half of life immeasurably richer.
©1993 Dr. James Hollis (P)2004 BMA Studios
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Critic reviews

"With a calm tone and a friendly voice, Hollis leads listeners through this perilous period and advises on ways to negotiate it." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Middle Passage

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Like a golden ticket for a full life

I'll reread this book a dozen times or more, time permitting, until I haven't missed a word. Dr Hollis gets it and knows how to tell it so you and I might find it.

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Sobering

This is an honest reflection on what midlife looks like, I wish there were more direction provided but it is a helpful start to understanding this strange period of life.

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A little bit dense to hear on the car.

A great book, i love it so much I bought the paper version.

you have to read it twice!!!

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Timely

If you could sum up The Middle Passage in three words, what would they be?

A nicely put together guide book for those in crisis. An excellent narration by the author.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Middle Passage?

Considered unpacking of Jungian concepts.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Stay calm and listen to yourself.

Any additional comments?

Recommended for those who are disgruntled, depressed or confused in midlife.

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Excellent book on the mid-life passage

Any additional comments?

This book was assigned for a graduate level psychology course on lifespan development. It was red by the author, and was a fantastic overview of the mid-life passage, which drew on poetry and literary works, and was very well done.

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The concept of “otherness”

Someone sent me this book because I was spiralling and they thought it would help me pause if anything and realise what am searching for is within me. He was right

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Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this

What did you like best about this story?

I bought this book because it was one of the recommended (and on sale). I wasn't that interested in the subject but I thought it could have some insight into aging. I ended up learning a great deal about the psychology of entering middle age and the explanation of why we behave the way we do. (of course, I don't do the things it says, but i know many people that do ;))

What insight do you think you’ll apply from The Middle Passage?

I'm not going to blame others for not living my life. I'll just go out and do it!

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I loved the clarity of the wisdom

Loved the listen and Hollis’ reading. For me as a creative in midlife, with many distractions and meaningful periods having overshadowed my inner voice along the way, the description of the internal experience, the ebbs and flows resonated strongly. I especially enjoyed the poetry examples and the literary explications. While intended for a specific age demographic, I have also thought of sharing this with my adult children so they can consider the Jungian truths on offer.

My only critique is that the interior challenges he discusses are constant throughout adult life. While they become more urgent as we age, they began many years ago for me and aren’t necessarily specific to this period only. I didn’t really hear him explore that point but I see how that could be a distraction from his overall titular thesis.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Briliant in every way

When I was 37 I quit my entrepreneurial career to become a film director.
The world thought I was "LA-LA" and at times I thought the same. THis is the book that made me understand my path. I read it twice in the last 2 weeks and I feel I just scrached the surface.

My wife, an avid Jungien, stole my IPOD to listen since her's broke down.
Now we can talk Jung for the first time...

Great book

Mitch

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Excellent book for anyone transitioning through their middle passage

This book utilizes Jung’s philosophy to help transcend the middle passage and let go of the ego self. Wonderfully written and a great cadence of the narrator.

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