Warriors: On Living with Courage, Discipline, and Honor

[Phil Elmore]

For those who don't visit the "Tactical" forum I hope this cross-post isn't in poor taste. I wanted to share; My essay, "Warrior Lessons Learned and Unlearned," appears on page 88 of Warriors: On Living with Courage, Discipline, and Honor, now available from Paladin Press:

Link at Paladin

From the website:

The word “warrior” is not new. The soldiers, cops, emergency rescue personnel and other men and women who face hardship and danger in service to others have always used it. But outside this warrior community, it was just a word with no great significance attached to it – that is, until September 11, 2001. After that, “warrior” became a buzzword. Most often it’s used properly, though sometimes its use has been a stretch of the definition. In compiling this collection of essays, Loren W. Christensen sought the true meaning, the essence, of warriorhood by going to the source, to those who live it. The writers who contributed to this work are a diverse mix, from soldiers, cops and SWAT officers to martial art masters to experts in the fields of workplace violence, theology and school safety. They are some of the finest warrior authors, warrior trainers and warrior scholars today. Many have faced death, survived and now teach others to do the same. Here they speak candidly on what it’s like to sacrifice, to train, to protect . . . Even to kill . . . To accomplish what needs to be done. Because that’s what a warrior does. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, softcover, 376 pp. ISBN 1-58160-454-8

The book is really quite beautifully printed and has exceeded even my expectations in terms of its content and appearance. Seeing my name in the company of everyone from Loren Christensen to Jerry VanCook to Mike Janich to Stephen K. Hayes is kind of mind-blowing.

I can only hope that those of you who do read the book find my essay of some interest. Warrior Lessons Learned and Unlearned tells the story of how my own martial arts training changed my personality for the better. For something like this I thought I owed Loren and Paladin my best work, so I really reached deep down and soul-searched to do it.