Way of the Peaceful Warrior

A special 20th anniversary edition of a landmark bestseller — with revisions and a new afterword by the author

In the years since its first publication in 1980, Way of the Peaceful Warrior has become recognized as a spiritual classic. Shared by word of mouth, this philosophically themed memoir has sold more than a million copies, been translated into thirty languages worldwide, and inspired readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The story follows the inner journey of Dan Millman, a college student and world-champion athlete who is haunted by a feeling that something is missing from his life. Awakened one night by bad dreams, he wanders into an all-night gas station where he meets an old man named Socrates who soon becomes his mentor. Guided by this eccentric old warrior, and drawn to an elusive young woman named Joy, Dan begins a spiritual odyssey into realms of light and shadow, leading toward a final confrontation that will deliver or destroy him.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior speaks to the peaceful warrior in each of us. Countless readers have been moved to laughter, tears, and moments of illumination as they follow Dan on his journey toward self-actualization and enlightenment.