This book didn’t change my life. Wasn’t a fan of the magical realism masquerading as memoir, Millman’s writing isn’t good enough to pull it off. I’m definitely in the wrong stage of life for any of the lessons in this book to be groundbreaking (you’ll need to have zero self-awareness and never have seen The Karate Kid). Hey guys, everyone exercise, eat healthy and stop being an arrogant, selfish, whingey arsehole, ok? Consider yourself enlightened, namaste. Also, the writer/main character came off as extremely unlikeable and the dialogue was grating.

Днес в една дискусия за Стивън Кинг (не тук), една жена заяви, че не чете негови книги, защото се интересувала от потенциала на човека, а не от неговите изродщини, като даде за пример “Пътят на мирния воин” на Дан Милман, в която също била показвана тъмната човешка страна, но по вдъхновяващ, а не по ужасяващ начин. Това сравнение ме потресе. И точно пък "Мирният воин"- тази дидактична притча с просветителски уклон, изсмукани ню ейдж уроци от псевдо будистки гуру, претъпкана с клишета за самопомощ. Сега, наясно съм, че ако си духовно изгубен, емоционално уязвим и/или слабо мислещ човек, си потенциална лесна жертва на всеки автор мегаломан, плагиатстващ от основни учения и извъртащ ги както си иска. Но ако търсиш философия и медитация над живота, можеш да ги намериш под много по-добра форма в и творчеството на Кинг. За последния мога да пиша страници, а за “Пътят на мирния воин” ще кажа няколко изречения.
Не си губете времето с нея. Няма да се спирам върху възмутата си от тоталната дебилщина на главния герой, но ще кажа, че изключително рядко ми се е случвало да искам главния герой да се провали напълно само заради факта, че е абсолютен малоумник. Иначе героите са едноизмерни, диалога е нестабилен, уроците пречат на разказа, вкарани са дълги скучни секции с инструктивни пасажи и няма много история, а самата тя е суха като пустиня. Изглежда сякаш е някъде между фантастиката и не-фантастиката, с елементи от двете, въпреки че не знам кое кое е. Още повече няма смисъл да четеш фалшива автобиография ако няма добра история. Дори заглавието е глупаво. Дан Милман е много зле като писател и аз се чудя да плача или да се смея от факта, че той преподава писане. Най-хубавото от цялото ми изживяване с “Пътят на мирния воин” е представата ми как Айн Ранд би се въртяла с писъци в гроба ако чуе някои особености от философията на тази книга. Уатева, като говорим за кунг фу, будо, дзен и пътя на воина, предпочитам господин Мияги пред тая книга. Поне като ми казва какво да променя, ще вметне и как да го направя. Най-малкото.
И четете Стивън Кинг.

This was really disappointing. Books like The Celestine Prophecy work because they are believable and realistic while presenting spiritual quests. Books like The Alchemist work because they are clearly fables. This book pretends to be nonfiction even though much of what happens is far more outlandish than what Jedi Knights do in Star Wars. Because of that, it's impossible to maintain any semblance of belief that this could be real or actually happen, and as a book that says it's nonfiction, that makes it impossible for me as the reader to take it seriously. Not recommended even if you like inspirational tales or fables.

This is a novel. Mr. Millman states that clearly in the preface. But, the book sits near the intersection of novel, self-help, and autobiography. It felt unique in that regard.

I liked the characters. I liked the story. The book inspired me. I am not sure what it inspired me to do. But reading it gave me motivation to think critically about meaningful things, and continue the search.

If you are searching, you might like this book - which, I repeat, is a fiction.

Also known as Way of the Peaceful Warrior: The Book That Changes Lives

Someone recommended this book to me many years ago and I finally got around to reading it. Its hard to describe exactly what this is, part metaphysical/self help book, part autobiography/novel, if that makes sense. It supposed to be based on the early life of the author, who admits he took many liberties with the story. In the story, Dan, a young gymnast, meets a attendant at a gas station late one night who makes an impression on him. He gives the old man the nickname "Socrates", and ends up becoming his protege.

I'm always skeptical of people who claim that the only way to achieve true happiness and peace of mind is to subscribe to their philosophy 100%, but this was okay, well worth the read. It was a cute little story with a lot of humor. I didn't get from it what other people have, but I enjoyed it enough to read more of Dan Millman's books in the future.

Dan Millman is a talented writer, likeable too. However, this Peaceful Warrior story did not change my life.

Fist off, It took me forever to figure out what this book was called. Being that I read this senior year and I couldn't remember the title for the life of me. Thank goodness for google.

Anyways, I loved this book because it was just very motivational. And you know when you read books in High School you don't have a choice to read them or not? Well I can say that there are only a few that I've read and actually liked and also learned something from it. 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior'was one of those books. Though, it was pretty much your typical when you want something, strive until you reach it kind of book, there was more meaning to it. Sometimes I even empathized with the main character through all the obstacles he faced. Just a good read. I highly recommend it if you need a pick me up or your just feeling a little off.

One of my favorite quotes from the book, that I did an assignment on which is posted on my wall is: "... you are overflowing with preconceptions, full of useless knowledge. You hold many facts and opinions, yet know little of yourself. Before you can lean, you have to empty your tank."

This is a tricky review to write....

I did not like this book. I felt like it was a novelty, playing on those people who seem perpetually "lost" and looking for answers of enlightenment to explain things. That being said, I feel like I could be one of those "lost" people, myself because I didn't like the book. It's a vicious cycle, if I don't like the book it must be because I didn't understand it, not ready to make the progression, still stuck on notions holding me back. If I did like the book then I could be one of those people always looking for some outside influence to give life meaning. Or wait, isn't that what the book sort of preaches? How do I agree with the book ideals if I didn't like it? Oh...the headache I have!

Bottom line, this is not my style of reading. I find myself questioning spirituality and "supernatural" perceptions instead of grapsing any lesson that might have been set forth. It took me weeks to make it through the relatively short story. But, the book has reached millions who whole-heartedly believe that this book changed their lives. You can't deny that.

If you want an easy read, this was a bore. If you want something to potentially awaken a spirituality? Hey, why not...pick it up and give it a shot.

Thrashdthoughts.com

Totally different book than my anticipation.
I avoided reading Goodreads description of it so didn't know what kind of book it would be.
Might people find it irritating as its more philosophic and allegoric rather than factual or inspirational.
However it gave me two amazing beliefs which i won't forget ever.
1. Time is not 0800 hours its "now", You are not anywhere but "here."
2. Our thoughts are like wild horses, we have to tame them.

J'ai reçu ce livre comme cadeau. Bien que ce ne soit pas du tout "my cup of tea", la valeur émotionnelle y est. Je ne suis pas du tout objective!
Je ne sais pas si ça vous arrive, si une personne qui vous est proche vous offre un livre, vous ressentez sa présence tout au long des pages. D'où l'importance de cette lecture pour moi. C'était en fait un moyen pour me rapprocher de ladite personne.
Oui, la lecture est ce qui a de plus intime.

a must read for everyone

If you are going to write a fictional book as a vehicle for your spiritual beliefs such as Richard Bach's 'Illusions' that is fine and the reader can still take a lot from the book. But if you are writing about spiritual or mystical events that really did happen to you then you should stick to the true events because to merge the true spiritual events with completely fictional events, as the author admits to having done, 'blending fact and fiction', means that you can take nothing of lasting value from this book in terms of spiritual lessons or mystical knowledge which is a great shame.

For me and probably hundreds more of Goodread's budding authors, the most valuable part of the book that gives us all hope was the Afterword where he recounts spending ten years writing the book, then the rejection slips flowed, finally he found an agent who then finally found a publisher who eventually gave up because the bookshops wouldn't buy a book that didn't fit neatly into a category Fact or Fiction. How that resonated with me!
(Here comes a fictional conversation by me, based on fact.)
Publisher; "Is it a Bereavement book, an autobiography, an inspirational book, a spiritual journey book, a travel book, a self-discovery book or what? Is it about you or your son?"
"Well, it's all of those things and quite a few more. Because it is a true story and true stories are part of life and don't fit into neat categories."
"Sorry, the middlemen who supply the bookshops won't touch it if it doesn't fit neatly into a category so neither will we."
And so his book rights were returned to him and the book sat in the 'out of print section' for three years until another publisher took it up but it then took him at least two years to persuade the bookstore chains to put just one copy in each store and .............................
'Then something magical happened- something called word of mouth."
It then went on to become a bestseller!
So to all of you budding authors out there reading this by the light and heat of burning rejection slips I say; "Let's all fall down on our bended knees tonight and pray to the god of Word Of Mouth that he blows just a little of his stardust in our direction."