Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Story That Changes Lives

Rating:
Summary: A place to start from
Review: A borrowed this book from a friend of mine back in 2002. Since then, I have bought about 6 copies. Each time, I gave a copy to a friend that I thought needs a place to start from.

This is a great way to begin an interesting journey into spirituality. That book got me started reading about spirituality. I recommend it to everyone.

Good luck

Rating:
Summary: A Classic for Me
Review: Depending where you are in your life, this book will be hit or miss. If you're starting to feel disillusioned about life and its meaning, then this book could be a story you'll really relate to. I read it when I was 15. Even though it's a story in some ways I couldn't relate to - I wasn't in college, and I didn't have an unlikely teacher that I met in gas station - I could relate to his struggle to feel alive and give his life meaning. I could remember in high school how the few real moments I had were playing soccer or spending time with a special girl. Kind of like the book's protagonist until he meets Socrates. Outside of those fleeting moments, my life felt pretty unspecial and meaningless. I felt very lost without purpose. The positive messages and the profound questions in this book are really inspiring, moving, and uplifting. To read of Dan's adventures grappling with culturally-obscured truths to life was exciting. So this book will always have a special place in my heart. It spoke to that sleeping part of myself that thirsts to "know thyself". But now I've moved on to new books, having used Way of the Peaceful Warrior as a stepping stone.
Wonderfully bright, active prose helps keep the pages turning. This is helpful when there are so many stunning ideas that don't need obsfucation caused by sophisticated mumbo-jumbo. One mistake I notice is that people tend to think because the book is easy reading for a student in middle-school that the ideas are unsophisticated. Go ahead and read Being and Nothingness, and then come back to Way of the Peaceful Warrior. I'm sure you'll have a larger, more complex vocabulary, but I'm not sure you'll have any deeper ideas. I think it's a tribute to Dan Millman that he could present fundamental philosophical questions in a way that connects them to real life and everyday happiness and suffering without writing about war, climbing a moutain, or something else extreme. I looked at my own life in new ways after reading this book.
Hopefully you'll enjoy this book like I did.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Treasure
Review: I came across this treasure in college - enjoyed absorbing the lessons each page had to teach me. Every year I reread "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" so that I can be reminded of the powerful insights. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: WORTHLESS FANTASY
Review: I didn't buy this book hoping to read a good novel, I bought it to read about an inspiring TRUE experience. The writing is horrible, but I didn't care since I didn't buy it for good writing - I wanted to read about a REAL experience. What a let down to find out it is all made up. I know, he says the old man is real, but so what? Just because you knew an old man doesn't make the story you make up any better. I knew a janitor that would talk about life, but I didn't make up a goofy story about him flying around on a mop!!!

It occured to me when I got to the part about him flying around the universe and then BECOMING the universe that this really sounded like an acid trip - not very inspiring. And what was the point about the old man jumping on and off the roof? He doesn't even explain why he made that part up!!!

This book is poorly written, totally made up, goofy, pointless and totally worthless.

I really don't want to sound negative about this book, but I feel totally ripped off. I thought it was a true story, but it isn't. I could make up a story and say that it is true because "This one day I did eat a hamburger, so it makes the whole story I just made up true!!!!!!" What a scam.

Rating:
Summary: Book That Changes Lives in Unexpected Ways
Review: I have bought this book some 10 years ago and share it with a lot of people since then. My boyfriend, who is more insterested in martial arts than in spirituality, shared this book in turn with some of his friends from the martial arts (Muay Thai) club, specially those who felt stuck at a crossroads. One of them had a dream to fight in Thailand, but was immediately discouraged by his Thai instructor and told that, as a black man, he would never make it in Thailand. After reading this book, this fighter packed his bags and left for Thailand anyway. Not only did he succeed there, he became a world champion fighter and is still winning fights in Thailand. And then, another one read the book and packed his bags and went on fighting in Thailand for a year.

All that I can say is that the book has helped many people I know, who have read this book, break through limitations and courageously embark to follow their hearts and their dreams.

Rating:
Summary: A true eye opener
Review: I love Dan Millman's books and this one is surely a classic. Books like this are true treasures to keep. Much like the Celestine Prophecy and Illusions, other great books in the same genre.

Through reading this book I could relate every step of the way. I finished this book in 3 sittings, I just could not put it down. I have felt this way (as Dan did in the book) for many years and have had those times when I felt that there was just something more going on. Having mentors like Socrates make me believe that we are here for much greater things than we may always understand.

I would hope that this book finds much value to all those that read it. It definitely did it for me.

Rating:
Summary: I Called Dan Millman
Review: I read this book when I was about 13 years old. It was one of the first books I read and it had such a tremendous impact on my life I called Dan Millman. I looked up his name in the phone book and called him at home. I can't believe I did this. Dan if you are out there, and remember this - please get it touch with me. All I remember is that the back of the book gave his hometown. From there I was able to get his home phone number. I remember calling him late at night, well late for me as a 7th grader anyway. I just told him that I really liked his book. That was about it. It seems like a magical dream. However, when I look back on it now, I must say I have always known that I am capable of being a peaceful Warrior. I think this book is what implanted that into my brain for so many years. Thank you Dan!

Rating:
Summary: Great for everyone (not easy)
Review: I remember when an older cousin gave this book to me when I was about 15. I read it as a story the first time. But later I understood the impact of the words as they became ideas on how to view the world. The view that Dan imparts is not some complex, new age philosopy of personal power, but a simple, heartfelt path towards peace and service to your fellow humanity. These things are not achieved through some miraculous overnight transformation to an elevated state of consiousness, but through an effort to realize that nothing is here but now. An effort to make every day a living meditation. (By the way, it's not supposed to be easy... it's life not nirvana). A great read for anyone and serves as a great intro to Dan's other books.

Rating:
Summary: 'Peacefull Warrior' really does change lives
Review: I was eleven when I first read this amazing book. Out of boredom while waiting for my dad in the truck, I picked it up off the seat. immediatle I was transfixed. I couldn't put it down. After turning the final page and reading the last words in this tremendous book, I felt that I was a different person. It gave me a whole new outlook on life. I was only sad that I was done reading it. Since then I've read it twice and nomatter how many times I read it it sems I've learned something new!

Rating:
Summary: What is a peaceful warrior, anyway?
Review: I was in a state of flux when I picked up the book the first time quite a few years ago. I was young and didn't know who or what I wanted to be and I can honestly say without a doubt that I am one of the lives that was changed by "Way". It's true, as some other reviewers have pointed out, that the concepts and spirituality here are nothing new, but why try to reinvent the wheel? Dan Millman embraces ideals from a variety of places that fit together to form a framework for one of the best written stories I've ever read.

The book takes spirituality to a new level by taking the core values of several faiths & religions and illustrating them through a very colourful and enjoyable story that allows the reader to cast him or herself into the lead role without feeling "preached to".