logo

50 pages 1 hour read

Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Dan Millman

Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980
Book Details
Pages

217

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

1970s; Berkeley, California

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, a college student named Dan embarks on a journey of personal growth and spiritual awakening under the guidance of a mysterious mentor named Socrates. The narrative follows Dan’s struggles and triumphs as he learns to overcome his mental obstacles, achieve self-realization, and live in the present moment. The book discusses issues of mental health crisis and death by suicide.

Inspirational

Contemplative

Emotional

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.4

60,472 ratings

78%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior offers a blend of autobiography, philosophy, and self-help, appealing to those on a spiritual journey. The narrative is inspirational and engaging, though some readers may find its philosophical undertones clichéd or simplistic. The book's impact varies, resonating deeply with some, while others see it as motivational but unremarkable. Optimal for readers seeking a mix of storytelling and life lessons.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Way of the Peaceful Warrior?

Readers who would enjoy Dan Millman’s Way of the Peaceful Warrior are those interested in personal development, spiritual journeys, and inspirational narratives. If you appreciate the introspective and transformative themes of Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha or Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, this book will resonate with you.

4.4

60,472 ratings

78%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Dan

Dan is the narrator and protagonist whose journey of self-growth and spiritual discovery unfolds throughout the story. He is a college student and gymnastics athlete striving for personal and athletic success.

Socrates is Dan’s mentor and teacher, an enigmatic character working at a gas station, who guides Dan on a spiritual path with a philosophy centered on becoming a "peaceful warrior."

Joy begins as one of Socrates’s trainees and later reemerges as a college student named Joyce, eventually becoming Dan's profound romantic interest, assisting in his journey toward self-awareness.

Book Details
Pages

217

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

1970s; Berkeley, California

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.