The first thing I noticed about this book is that it's poorly edited. The author strings multiple phrases together in one sentence and only uses commas to hold them together, where some semi-colons would helped organize it much better. The other thing I noticed fairly quickly is that it's not exceptionally well-written. There is too much filler that only dilutes the page. Some authors, most notably Dickens, can string long sentences together filled with adjectives that add layer and texture and detail until you can hear it and smell it. The rest of us are better off editing sentences down to the simplest structure possible. This invites the reader to fill in the spaces and come along on the ride.
In the preface the author describes the book as a novel; though based on his life experiences he's taken some liberties with the timeline and sprinkled in some anecdotes. I'd call the book a memoir; an autobiography that's been tweaked. What it is not is a how-to book. Many self-help things are mentioned; tai-chi, meditation, vegetarian diet. But none are described in enough detail for the reader to know how to start practicing them. Nor is there a list of references to go to for more information. Also, the author's path to self-realization was facilitated, in many ways manipulated, by his mentor. Without a similar mentor the rest of us will not be able to find our path.
But I am glad I read the book. It illustrates many important concepts; the inter-connectedness of all things, our need to get out of our own way to achieve the joy we seek. And even though other spiritually themed books work better as novels, Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, and Deepak Chopra is a better writer of how-to books, Dan Millmans's journey is a good reminder of those concepts and his point of view will only deepen our understanding of our own spirituality.
I tend to read too fast and have to remind myself to slow down in a really well-written book. For this book, I sped quickly through the parts that didn't seem to offer much and slowed down for the really teachable moments, mostly in the last third of the book.

Apesar de eu colocar o livro de Dan Millman em minha prateleira sobre meditação, este não é um livro sobre uma prática meditativa e sim sobre "boas práticas" para se viver melhor a vida.

O autor afirma, logo no início do livro, que as suas experiências narradas devem ser vistas como um conglomerado de acontecimentos que reforçam as lições apresentadas e que nem todas ocorreram exatamente igual ao descrito no texto.

Este fato de forma alguma compromete a mensagem do autor. Dessa forma, considero o livro muito oportuno em suas mensagens e com vários insights relevantes. Um das minhas passagens prediletas ocorre em uma diálogo entre Dan e seu professor Sócrates -que na verdade trabalha como atendente em um posto de gasolina - sobre o mal que atinge toda a humanidade: "If you don't get what you want, you suffer; If you get what you don't want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can't hold it forever."

Legal, né? Além disso, ao ler o livro, você saberá a resposta correta para essas duas perguntas:
What Time is It? Where Are you NOW?(dica: não precisa olhar para um relógio e nem um mapa).

Recomendo leitura.

First read it as a teenager, and it was just as good this time in my 40s.

5 stars as a recommendation — eastern wisdom and timeless parables and archetypes nicely available to the young western audience.

It’s not perfect, and I can’t speak for the rest of Millman’s work, or what aspects of this are objectively realistic. But it could change lives, and at very worst is a short harmless reminder of key fundamental truths to happiness.

Not sure whether or when this humor filled volume will change my life, but it could, or perhaps it already has...

Absolute crap. I still can't believe how truly bad this was, because a friend recommended it based on the alleged monumental effect it had on his life, and it appears to be quite highly rated by the majority of Goodreads readers. I don't know what they saw that I didn't, but I found this a completely ludicrous, utterly fabricated story told through unlikable, two-dimensional characters. The writing is abominable. Seriously abominable. I spent most of the time wondering how it had even managed to get published, let alone make it into repeated printings, sequels, and - apparently - a film (!). The book purports to teach deep, mysterious lessons of the "warrior's path," and yet I have learned more penetrating lessons watching reruns of "Kung Fu" which, in fact, were far better written and more emotionally stirring than this complete dreck. The only reason I am even giving it a star is because I believe it was well-intentioned. If this book changes your life, good for you, I mean it - all my best to you. All it did for me was waste several hours of my life that I will never get back. For those in flux, skip it and watch some Kwai Chang Caine - trust me on this one.

از بهترین کتاب های عمرم بود....

ازون دسته کتابایی که حس خوبی به آدم میدن.

أقرأ هذه الرواية / سيرة الحياة للمرة الثانية

هذا الكتاب يشعّ وجوديةً ويلقم القارئ الطموح بملعقة اللغة، وبلا شكّ، أنصح بقراءته، بل أتوسّل للجميع أن يقرؤوه، وإن كان لي عمر ووقت وقدرة، فسوف أترجمه بكل حب.

شكرًا دان ميلمان، شكرًا (سُقـ)

I first read this book when I was in college, 13 or 14 years ago, I think. Since then I've read it about 3-4 more times. The writing style isn't fancy, or even what I'd normally call good, but the story itself makes up for it. Although based partly on Dan's personal life, this is really a fiction book.

The Peaceful Warrior points out basic human tendencies, and how we sometimes don't really pay attention to the things we do, and the consequences they bring. This book encourages us to become more mindful, and I wish everyone had their own Socrates to guide them.

One quick note...went to a book signing event by Dan Millman, after he wrote his Socrates book (which I didn't read). Boy, did he stray quite a bit from the teachings of his book. Arrogant and show-off are two words I would use. Disappointing.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior was almost a DNF. The writing was too clunky, cheesy and weird. Some parts felt like a fever dream. I did not connect with the main character at all.

All that being said, I remember a student giving a presentation on this book in college. This made the story feel familiar and I had weird nostalgia while reading. I also liked some of the lessons.

2.25 Stars.

I tried to read this book three times, complete drivel. I couldn't force myself through it.
I guess it's just too deep for me, because it read like a cheesedick Saturday morning cartoon.
Glad it helps some who need it. Whatever floats your boat.

“A Book that changes lives.” I have been attracted to some metaphysical literature lately. I just don’t identify with the young brash foolish boy/man who finds a teacher and then argues with him all the way to enlightenment. I know there is a purpose to that type of narrative and it is similar to Daniel Quinn, but it doesn’t touch my soul. Plus I think this book is very much about the self, about finding self enlightenment with no directive then to go and illuminate others. One part I responded to was when his teacher touched his head and sent him on a hallucinogenic trip across the world where he realized (pg 42) “The world was peopled with minds, whirling faster than any wind, in search of distraction and escape from the predicament of change, the dilemma of life and death-seeking purpose, security, enjoyment, trying to make sense of the mystery. Everyone everywhere lived a confused, bitter search. Reality never matched their dreams: happiness was just around the corner- a corner they never turned. AND the source of it all was the human mind.” There was a beautiful passage about the energy that surrounds and enlivens the universe, (pg 77) “For an instant, from a vantage point somewhere in space, I felt myself expanding at the speed of light, ballooning, exploding to the outermost limits of existence until I was the universe. Nothing separate remained. I had become everything. I was Consciousness, recognizing itself; I was the pure light that physicists equate with all matter, and poets define as Love. I was one, and I was all, outshining all the worlds. In that moment, the eternal, the unknowable had been revealed to me as an indescribable uncertainty. In a flash I was back in my mortal form, floating among the stars. I saw a prism shaped like a human heart, which dwarfed every galaxy. It diffracted the light of consciousness into an explosion of radiant colors, sparkling splinters of every rainbow hue, spreading through the cosmos. My own body became a radiant prism, throwing splinters of multicolored light everywhere. And it came to me that the highest purpose of the human body is to become a clear channel for this light- so that its brightness can dissolve all obstructions, all knots, all resistance. I learned the meaning of attention – it is the intentional channeling of awareness, I felt my body again, as a hollow vessel. I looked at my legs; they filled with warm, radiant light, disappearing into brightness. I looked at my arms, with the same result. I focused attention on every part of the body, until I became wholly light once again. Finally, I realized the process of real meditation- to expand awareness, to direct attention, to ultimately surrender to the light of consciousness.” The story of a quest for peace is always enjoyable to me, and it fits in nicely with The Celestine Vision and The Holy.

I heard this book was good from many people, so I was a little wary in reading it. I don't often like the pop-hits. However, this book was really good. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It reminded me of "Ishmael" in its writing style, but it's a different story. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys literature about life and living.

This is, hands down, one of the best books I read. It came to me at a time in my life when I really needed to read it. I don't want to give any spoilers, but if you are interested at all in the path of peace and happiness, if you explore meditation, mindfulness, or any other related concepts... you will absolutely adore this book. Even if you haven't been attuned to these things before, this book would be a great introduction. I kept jotting down quotes while I was reading it, and I've already been re-reading those quotes. I know simply reading the book once is not going to absolutely change my life, but continuing to reflect on all the lessons and wisdom it contains is impacting me. I want to continue to carry these ideas in the forefront of my mind until they become ingrained in me. And I know that's where I will see real change. This book has helped me in clearing my mind and setting my mind on the right path. The most important piece of wisdom I gleaned from my first reading of this novel is that the path to tranquility/peace/warriorhood is not something you try and hope to get to. It's something you're on. Here. Now.