Brilliant Read
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As someone who found WPW an amazingly enlightenting book it was nice to get the 'back ground info' on, what i myself consider to be, the main character in the book. Learning about Socrates' boyhood and how he become the original (well, actually not the real original!) peaceful warrior. I thought well written, although some people say simply written. Great storey - action, romance and educational if you think it through.
Was surprised to read some negative reviews on this site but everyone is different i suppose. Highly recommended if you are a fan of WPW, but expect more of a 'storey' book then WPW.
Peace and love, Danny J
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Super
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This is a book that I loved until the very end. The end and notes will cause all joy of the story to be lost. This book was long awaited by fans around the world. The first book in this trilogy came out 25 years ago; The Way of the Peaceful Warrior has been an international bestseller since it came out. It was released this month as a movie starring Nick Nolte and Scott Mechlowicz. Both that first book and the sequel Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior are part biographical and part allegory. Millman has, since the beginning, answered questions about what parts of those two books are truth and what parts are story.
Now, here in the third book in the series, he blows that whole tradition out of the water. The story is supposed to be the life story of Socrates, Dan's mentor in the first two books.
This is an amazing story of a young man born of mixed blood in Russia. He is part Cossack and part Jewish. He is being raised at a Cossack military school after the death of both of his parents. He later learns about his Jewish blood. During the pogroms against the Jews he leaves the school to go in search of treasure his grandfather has left him.
He suffers loss., the loss of a pregnant wife to an old enemy. He vow's revenge on their grave. He studies under many martial arts masters in order to learn how to seek that revenge. He studies first with a sword master, and then with a master of all of the art's who tries to teach him to choose life, and be a master of self. For the loss of his wife who was with child. He journeys all over Asia, while studying with these teachers, then in pursuit of revenge that he has studied for years to be ready to exact. Then he eventually to the new world, in search of a long hoped for new life.
The story is great. But in this edition, Millman, in the afterward, states that he will not answer any questions about what parts of this story are true and what parts are not. The story leads us to believe that Socrates is Millman's real-life grandfather estranged from his family at birth. Millman indicates that `Socrates' started journaling the day that he was born and that sometime between Way of the Peaceful Warrior and now he received those journals from Soctares.
What is the story? What is the truth? How can he leave us, his readers, hanging like that? Because of this duplicity a reader can call into question all the good that has been taken from Millman's writings over the years.
(First Published in Imprint 2006-06-16 as 'Hate It' Love It hate It Book Review Column.)
Addendum 2008 having reread this book and skipping the Harper Collins PS. The story really is amazing and fits in with the original books better than my originally published review.
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Nonresistance to life
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I found this book very liberating specially when socrates was training under his master the lessons were things i already new but reading them in a refreshed way ,also his teacher reminded me of O'sensei the enlightened founder of aikido . I think when you read enough of these books like conversations with god , power of now , way of the peaceful warrior and all the ancient and modern scriptures by all the sages and saints you realise there is only one universal teaching and it was staring you in the face all along only when our perception changes do we see them .
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Not for me
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I was disappointed with "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" so I thought I would give "The Journeys of Socrates" a try. This book was easy to read and had more action but, like "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior", it was simplistic and lacked depth. The uncomplicated style of writing, the predictable plot and the use of an exotic historical setting in Tsarist Russia are all ideal for younger readers who will probably enjoy this adventure tale. As with "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior", older readers should look elsewhere for inspiration.
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One of those books
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By reading this book you have most probably read Way of the Peacfull Warrior or have been recommended it. If you are one who looks to read both for inspiration and joy then read this.. although i would say that you would have to be a reader who thinks tiltles such as
1) Jonothan Livingston Seagull
2) Illusions
3) The Alchemist
4) The Hobbit!
5) Way of the peacefull Warrior
6) In Search of Captain Zero
7) and possibly Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior
amongst others. This book is special, i loved every page and reference, i could see the story in my mind and imagine the scenes as they unfolded (such as you do with Tolkien) In places i laughed and sometimes a tear!
In my view this is a great follow up and a wonderful book. I loved every page and although i wanted to read to the end i didnt want it to end.
(please excuse any spelling.... im an artist!)
Benjamin
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