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The Journeys of Socrates
The international bestselling author is bck with a page-turning tale of the origins of the peaceful warrior In the heart of nineteenth century Tsarist Russia an orphaned boy born of both Jewish and Cossack blood desperately seeks to find a place in a dangerous world. Sergei Ivanov’s (Socrates’) journey from a military academy to America is a spellbinding and tragic odyssey of courage and love. This riveting novel reveals how a boy became a man, how a man became a warrior, and how a warrior discovered peace. From his birth, this boy―Sergei Ivanov―is destined to become the peaceful warrior and sage who changed the life of Dan Millman and millions of readers worldwide.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Dan Millman
154 books1,125 followersDan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor.
After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan's teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior's Way, expressed fully in his books and lectures. His work continues to evolve over time, to meet the needs of a changing world.
--from the author's website
After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan's teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior's Way, expressed fully in his books and lectures. His work continues to evolve over time, to meet the needs of a changing world.
--from the author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
May 19, 2010
Having read "Way of a Peaceful Warrior" years ago, I quickly bought "The Journeys of Socrates" but it sat on the shelf unread. The Universe has a way of working things out so recently I noticed the book in a box of books still packed from a move. I decided it was time to read.
The Universe was correct.
Though I had trouble getting into the beginning of the book, things turned around and soon I was drawn into the journey. The beginning tells the history of Socrates and at first I didn't see the relevance and wondered where "the good stuff" was; I later realized that this history was a key part of understanding Socrates, where he'd come from and what he overcame to become the person he was at the end of the book.
Socrates' journey is so much like many in life. We hold on to anger and resentments and they overcome us, possess us. We hold them for years just as Socrates did. I only hope that more in the world learn to grow, evolve and let go of such anger and resentment to move on to the next level of themselves.
Millman's prequel to "Way of a Peaceful Warrior" is an outstanding tome depicting Socrates' path to becoming a peaceful warrior. The book is filled with guidance and truth. I underlined many sentences throughout my reading.
The Universe was correct.
Though I had trouble getting into the beginning of the book, things turned around and soon I was drawn into the journey. The beginning tells the history of Socrates and at first I didn't see the relevance and wondered where "the good stuff" was; I later realized that this history was a key part of understanding Socrates, where he'd come from and what he overcame to become the person he was at the end of the book.
Socrates' journey is so much like many in life. We hold on to anger and resentments and they overcome us, possess us. We hold them for years just as Socrates did. I only hope that more in the world learn to grow, evolve and let go of such anger and resentment to move on to the next level of themselves.
Millman's prequel to "Way of a Peaceful Warrior" is an outstanding tome depicting Socrates' path to becoming a peaceful warrior. The book is filled with guidance and truth. I underlined many sentences throughout my reading.
May 24, 2012
"In truth, Socrates, you have no opponents but yourself.
Make peace within, and there will be no one who can overcome you.
And no one you will wish to overcome." I just finished reading Journeys of Socrates, which was a fantastic and exciting book. Recommended to me by a good friend who also enjoying the book thoroughly, it's a historical story of latter Czarist Russia involving the Cossacks, the Jews, and the intense military procedures as it was in that time. It's a certain type of book that stays with you and you keep thinking about it and turning over all the details in your brain.
You will enjoy reading the descriptions of a young Russians adventure for life, in a book that is quite hard to put down once started. Throughout this unforgettable story, the military trained Socrates ends up, after a disaster, having to flee to wilderness, in a battle for his life as he knows it. The characters are quite deep, featuring qualities and characteristics which tend to stick with the reader, almost as if the adventure was his or her own. In addition to the easily attachable characters, the actual tale is not short of complete and surprising plot twists, right up to the final revelations in the very few last pages.Without revealing too much of the major concepts of the story, the ending is quite amazing. Highly recommended.
Make peace within, and there will be no one who can overcome you.
And no one you will wish to overcome." I just finished reading Journeys of Socrates, which was a fantastic and exciting book. Recommended to me by a good friend who also enjoying the book thoroughly, it's a historical story of latter Czarist Russia involving the Cossacks, the Jews, and the intense military procedures as it was in that time. It's a certain type of book that stays with you and you keep thinking about it and turning over all the details in your brain.
You will enjoy reading the descriptions of a young Russians adventure for life, in a book that is quite hard to put down once started. Throughout this unforgettable story, the military trained Socrates ends up, after a disaster, having to flee to wilderness, in a battle for his life as he knows it. The characters are quite deep, featuring qualities and characteristics which tend to stick with the reader, almost as if the adventure was his or her own. In addition to the easily attachable characters, the actual tale is not short of complete and surprising plot twists, right up to the final revelations in the very few last pages.Without revealing too much of the major concepts of the story, the ending is quite amazing. Highly recommended.
July 27, 2022
4,5
Sehr spannende, beeindruckende und inspirierende Geschichte mit Möglichkeiten zum eigenen Leben zu reflektieren.
Vermutlich auch sehr biased weil größtenteils auf Fahrradtour mit Wild-campen gelesen und man dort in einem ähnlichen "state of mind" ist wie der Hauptcharakter :D
Sehr spannende, beeindruckende und inspirierende Geschichte mit Möglichkeiten zum eigenen Leben zu reflektieren.
Vermutlich auch sehr biased weil größtenteils auf Fahrradtour mit Wild-campen gelesen und man dort in einem ähnlichen "state of mind" ist wie der Hauptcharakter :D
January 24, 2022
Eine Geschichte, die mir sehr gut gefallen hat!
Man begleitet das außergewöhnliche Leben einer durch Schicksalschläge gekennzeichneter Person und kann dabei so einiges Lernen. Mir persönlich hat es viel Dankbarkeit und Frieden gegeben und das Buch hat mir so gut gefallen, dass ich große Freude beim Lesen hatte.
Man begleitet das außergewöhnliche Leben einer durch Schicksalschläge gekennzeichneter Person und kann dabei so einiges Lernen. Mir persönlich hat es viel Dankbarkeit und Frieden gegeben und das Buch hat mir so gut gefallen, dass ich große Freude beim Lesen hatte.
July 6, 2008
Just when I didn't think Millman could surpass his first book, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, the book that truly changed my life and outlook on the universe. This book tells the journey of his enigmatic mentor, Socrates; from his humble and tragic beginnings to his enlightened training. How was this amazing master formed? The book is based in the Ukraine region of Russia, with Sergei "Socrates" Ivanov being cast as a half Cossack/half Jew (quite the explosive combination, as you can imagine), struggling to understand himself and his place in life. Only through great personal tragedy, loss and the need for revenge does he begin to understand the path he was set upon. Only in seeking out his great teacher, a monk called Seraphim, does he discover both the path of the warrior and the path of peace. It's a beautiful and heart-felt story that is filled with Millman's great wisdoms and insights into life. However, even though Millman has put "The first book in the Peaceful Warrior series" on the cover, I recommend reading "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and possibly "Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warror" before "The Journeys of Socrates."
December 27, 2016
One of my few books that I reread is Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives. It's the sort of philosophy stuff I usually don't like, but that one has something to it that draws me in. So, when I heard about this book, which tells the back story of Socrates, the mentor in that book, I thought I'd check it out.
I will say right off the bat whatever magic is in Peaceful Warrior isn't here. This is a decent story of adventure, loss, and a man growing up in Tsarist Russia. It was a good read with a few twists along the way. At the very end, there's a reveal about a tie between Dan Millman, the author and character of the first book, and Socrates.
It's enjoyable, but nowhere near as insightful as the other book. Decent action with a bit of philosophy along the way. It's like a better written martial arts movie in an unusual setting.
I will say right off the bat whatever magic is in Peaceful Warrior isn't here. This is a decent story of adventure, loss, and a man growing up in Tsarist Russia. It was a good read with a few twists along the way. At the very end, there's a reveal about a tie between Dan Millman, the author and character of the first book, and Socrates.
It's enjoyable, but nowhere near as insightful as the other book. Decent action with a bit of philosophy along the way. It's like a better written martial arts movie in an unusual setting.
November 30, 2017
The Journeys of Socrates is the story of a young boy's journey towards becoming a man, through a life of hardship, trial and a lot of pain, and his ultimate triumph over his circumstances, and, himself. The journey passes through the vast and varied landscape of Tsarist Russia as well as the emotional and spiritual terrain of the young protagonist. The writing is so fluid that it took me only two or three sittings to complete this book; the pace doesn't flag even during the philosophical discourses. The main characters are well built and command the reader's care about their lives. The only thing that I felt lacking in this wonderful story is some background of Dmitri and some insight into the reasons behind his actions.
Having never heard of this author before a friend recommended this book to me, I now look forward to reading more books by Dan Millman, after reading this one.
Having never heard of this author before a friend recommended this book to me, I now look forward to reading more books by Dan Millman, after reading this one.
March 22, 2024
Fascinating book, considering its based on real life events. Its a prequel story of the book and movie called "The Peaceful Warrior", concerning the mysterious sage-like figure named "Socrates" and his life journey. It contains all the elements of wisdom, hardships, brutal sufferings of a young man and the way to overcoming external and internal battles. In no way I could imagine such a story unfolding in a real man's life, which made a deep impression on me.
The best parts from this book for me personally were the shocking twist at the end and the summarizing verses by the protagonist, who puts his experiences and spiritual pathway into a journal. Either way, this story for me still contains a strong sense of deep and meaningful journey outside and within, with a fragment of an archetypical, yet very real and alive, kind of figure flashing before my mind.
The best parts from this book for me personally were the shocking twist at the end and the summarizing verses by the protagonist, who puts his experiences and spiritual pathway into a journal. Either way, this story for me still contains a strong sense of deep and meaningful journey outside and within, with a fragment of an archetypical, yet very real and alive, kind of figure flashing before my mind.
February 27, 2024
Beautiful novel bringing the "peaceful" part of peaceful warrior in to story.
April 25, 2023
Incredible book from start to finish
September 3, 2015
Part truth, part fiction--The Journeys of Socrates is the retelling of the author's great-grandfather's legacy, taken from first-hand accounts and peppered with artistic license. In this journey, we're taken through the hardship and heartache of chosen allegiances, conditional love, and dutiful vengeance, all wrapped in deep philosophical insight. This is not an easy read, but it's surely very satisfying.
Set in anti-semitic Russia, Sergei Ivanov, also known as Socrates, is a man with a conflicting heritage. His mother is Jewish, and his father is a (Christian) Cossack, both dying in Sergei's early years. Sergei is sent to Cossack military school, where we're introduced to his ultimate antagonist: Dmitri Zakolyev. All I'll say is: Shit gets real.
The story begins with Sergei maturing into adulthood, from his school years to his time in St. Petersburg. There is the recurring reminder of his Jewish blood, his grandfather trying to infuse some of that spirit during their short time together, and Sergei ultimately finds family among the Jews. This is painfully short-lived, and God how I cried and boiled with rage. You'll want revenge as much as Sergei, and like him, you won't be given a quick resolution. Brutal vengeance wouldn't be enough to truly undo the damage done.
We're taken through Sergei's grieving process and are ultimately led to a Christian monastery where he finds a mentor agreeing to train him for his revenge. The mentor has a lot to teach us, much of it needing many years to mull over and absorb. While religion has a role in defining the characters, the book does not push religious ideology. The inclusion of "God's will" should be taken as a basis of accepting everything happens for a reason and that things have a way of working out, which is indeed the case for Sergei.
One of my biggest hurdles in reading, and reviewing, this story is the level of catharsis with me being a Jew from the former Soviet Union. Sergei's adversaries are the unrepentant faces of egotism, lashing out from their hidden self-loathing and needing a scapegoat for their failures. They are sadistic, gaining pleasure from unjustified cruelty--the worst of humanity given the loftiest praises. I wanted them to pay so badly, yet how foolish would it be to find solace in the same barbarity as the monsters? Truly, the only way to find peace is to start with myself--to kill hate with kindness.
The unfolding of events in The Journeys of Socrates inspires hope, whether you believe in the concept of God's will or not. There is sweet closure, and it resounds into the Epilogue where Dan Millman reveals how he discovered his great grandfather's adventures. It's a journey well worth it in the end.
{Check out this review at Entropy Alarm Reviews}
Set in anti-semitic Russia, Sergei Ivanov, also known as Socrates, is a man with a conflicting heritage. His mother is Jewish, and his father is a (Christian) Cossack, both dying in Sergei's early years. Sergei is sent to Cossack military school, where we're introduced to his ultimate antagonist: Dmitri Zakolyev. All I'll say is: Shit gets real.
The story begins with Sergei maturing into adulthood, from his school years to his time in St. Petersburg. There is the recurring reminder of his Jewish blood, his grandfather trying to infuse some of that spirit during their short time together, and Sergei ultimately finds family among the Jews. This is painfully short-lived, and God how I cried and boiled with rage. You'll want revenge as much as Sergei, and like him, you won't be given a quick resolution. Brutal vengeance wouldn't be enough to truly undo the damage done.
We're taken through Sergei's grieving process and are ultimately led to a Christian monastery where he finds a mentor agreeing to train him for his revenge. The mentor has a lot to teach us, much of it needing many years to mull over and absorb. While religion has a role in defining the characters, the book does not push religious ideology. The inclusion of "God's will" should be taken as a basis of accepting everything happens for a reason and that things have a way of working out, which is indeed the case for Sergei.
One of my biggest hurdles in reading, and reviewing, this story is the level of catharsis with me being a Jew from the former Soviet Union. Sergei's adversaries are the unrepentant faces of egotism, lashing out from their hidden self-loathing and needing a scapegoat for their failures. They are sadistic, gaining pleasure from unjustified cruelty--the worst of humanity given the loftiest praises. I wanted them to pay so badly, yet how foolish would it be to find solace in the same barbarity as the monsters? Truly, the only way to find peace is to start with myself--to kill hate with kindness.
The unfolding of events in The Journeys of Socrates inspires hope, whether you believe in the concept of God's will or not. There is sweet closure, and it resounds into the Epilogue where Dan Millman reveals how he discovered his great grandfather's adventures. It's a journey well worth it in the end.
{Check out this review at Entropy Alarm Reviews}
April 27, 2020
Absolutely stunning and heartbreaking. Filled with wonderful insights that will keep you thinking about the book long after you've finished.
Read
August 22, 2022Still my favorite book of all time. 🤷🏼♀️
July 25, 2015
The Journeys of Socrates shines the spotlight on Dan Millman's mysterious teacher from The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. We discover that Socrates was born Sergei in Russia to a Cossack father and a Jewish mother.
His youth is scarred by tragedy. His mother died in labor with him and his father died of alcohol poisoning while Sergei was away at military school. His only remaining relative that we know of, his grandfather, dies. He flees the military academy to avoid having to harass Jews as a soldier, and in the process he has to battle his arch-rival. He marries into a family, but that ends badly as well. His family by marriage are Jews living under false identities at a time when it is very dangerous to be a Russian Jew.
It is after this tragedy that Socrates' search for warrior skills and revenge drive the narrative. In injecting so much tragedy into his life, Millman makes the main character's transformation all the more impressive. At every turn, Socrates is faced with events that should fill him with bitterness and hatred, but he must keep going and learn to control his emotions to become the warrior that he wants to be.
He proceeds to train under a warrior trained in the way of Japanese swordsmanship, a man named Razin. Razin only reluctantly accepts him as a student. He then lives at a hermitage, learning to reign in his mind and to respond freely and appropriately to attacks. His teacher at the hermitage, Father Serafim, teaches him to fight, he also encourages him to give up his intention to settle his vendetta. Finally, he travels abroad to train with a convened collection of sages from various traditions (Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity,etc.)
Socrates narrative arc is well developed. He is pitted against a powerful enemy Zakolyev, aka Gregor Stakkos, a military school rival who became an antisemitic Cossack gang leader. Socrates is drawn into a final decisive battle with this nemesis, but there is a twist at the end to further complicate matters.
I'll admit I've had mixed feelings about Millman's work. I was a big fan of the original books Way of the Peaceful Warrior and to a lesser extent Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior. Those books provided great insight into mind-body development in a readable narrative form. However, I later picked up one of his subsequent books and found it to be some sort of numerology/astrology drivel. That was disconcerting not only because it offended my sensibilities as a Cartesian skeptic, but even more so because it seemed to fly in the face of the Peaceful Warrior message-- which was one of self-empowerment, not passive acceptance of some randomly bestowed fate.
So I picked The Journeys of Socrates reluctantly. However, I found this book to be the most readable of all. It is written like a novel or the memoir of someone who led the rare novel-shaped life.
His youth is scarred by tragedy. His mother died in labor with him and his father died of alcohol poisoning while Sergei was away at military school. His only remaining relative that we know of, his grandfather, dies. He flees the military academy to avoid having to harass Jews as a soldier, and in the process he has to battle his arch-rival. He marries into a family, but that ends badly as well. His family by marriage are Jews living under false identities at a time when it is very dangerous to be a Russian Jew.
It is after this tragedy that Socrates' search for warrior skills and revenge drive the narrative. In injecting so much tragedy into his life, Millman makes the main character's transformation all the more impressive. At every turn, Socrates is faced with events that should fill him with bitterness and hatred, but he must keep going and learn to control his emotions to become the warrior that he wants to be.
He proceeds to train under a warrior trained in the way of Japanese swordsmanship, a man named Razin. Razin only reluctantly accepts him as a student. He then lives at a hermitage, learning to reign in his mind and to respond freely and appropriately to attacks. His teacher at the hermitage, Father Serafim, teaches him to fight, he also encourages him to give up his intention to settle his vendetta. Finally, he travels abroad to train with a convened collection of sages from various traditions (Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity,etc.)
Socrates narrative arc is well developed. He is pitted against a powerful enemy Zakolyev, aka Gregor Stakkos, a military school rival who became an antisemitic Cossack gang leader. Socrates is drawn into a final decisive battle with this nemesis, but there is a twist at the end to further complicate matters.
I'll admit I've had mixed feelings about Millman's work. I was a big fan of the original books Way of the Peaceful Warrior and to a lesser extent Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior. Those books provided great insight into mind-body development in a readable narrative form. However, I later picked up one of his subsequent books and found it to be some sort of numerology/astrology drivel. That was disconcerting not only because it offended my sensibilities as a Cartesian skeptic, but even more so because it seemed to fly in the face of the Peaceful Warrior message-- which was one of self-empowerment, not passive acceptance of some randomly bestowed fate.
So I picked The Journeys of Socrates reluctantly. However, I found this book to be the most readable of all. It is written like a novel or the memoir of someone who led the rare novel-shaped life.
December 8, 2020
A good friend of mine lent me this book while I was going through a very strange time in my life. It couldn’t have come to my hands at a better time. While the main storylines are colored by Buddhism philosophies, which I found a tad cliche, it was its final message summing up the story that really struck a chord with me. It provides a refreshing perspective on where I stand at this exact moment of my life and got me re-thinking about my being and purpose.
Written in Hong Kong.
Written in Hong Kong.
November 7, 2007
This book is Dan Millman's third in the Peaceful Warrior Saga. I didn't know quite what to expect but had heard this book changed course from his previous writings. This is true because this book is more of a narrative as opposed to the other Peaceful books which tend to be a little more instructional.
The Journeys of Socrates is about the early life of Millman's guru, Socrates. It starts off with recounting his early boyhood in a Russian military school. Orphaned and distraught at having to stay in the school the young Socrates escapes. He starts to build an enjoyable life for himself as a young man with a wife only to meet tragedy. A key nemesis from his old military school days shows up and contributes to a horrific tragedy of unimaginable proportions. Socrates can think of nothing else but revenge. He spends his days and years after this plotting for ways to get back at the evil he has experienced.
As the book progresses Socrates meets many new teachers. These teachers are Masters of certain disciplines (like the martial arts) but more importantly they are Masters of life in general. After years of hard work these wise teachers teach Socrates how to live, breathe, forgive and find happiness. He comes to discover that the only way he can truly be free is by releasing this awful burden of hate he carries around day after day. It's a very wise but painful lesson. For obvious reasons I am not divulging everything but suffice it to say you'll be surprised, horrified, entertained, and inspired by the end of the book.
Concerning the book, I felt the story was very good but the writing seemed a little rough around the edges. I got the impression that Millman, despite having written several other books, is still learning his craft as a narrative type storyteller. It seemed in parts he could have developed the plot more thoroughly and provided more realistic detail for certain key players. Despite these minor flaws I still enjoyed the book tremendously for the insight, wisdom, and entertaining nature of it all. There is nothing better than being able to read an exciting story and also learn how to live in a better way at the same time.
Anyone who enjoys personal transformation, inspiring stories, and fascinating characters will really treasure this read. I only hope that in the future Dan continues to write, teach, and give us more timeless advice from the Warrior/Buddha Socrates.
The Journeys of Socrates is about the early life of Millman's guru, Socrates. It starts off with recounting his early boyhood in a Russian military school. Orphaned and distraught at having to stay in the school the young Socrates escapes. He starts to build an enjoyable life for himself as a young man with a wife only to meet tragedy. A key nemesis from his old military school days shows up and contributes to a horrific tragedy of unimaginable proportions. Socrates can think of nothing else but revenge. He spends his days and years after this plotting for ways to get back at the evil he has experienced.
As the book progresses Socrates meets many new teachers. These teachers are Masters of certain disciplines (like the martial arts) but more importantly they are Masters of life in general. After years of hard work these wise teachers teach Socrates how to live, breathe, forgive and find happiness. He comes to discover that the only way he can truly be free is by releasing this awful burden of hate he carries around day after day. It's a very wise but painful lesson. For obvious reasons I am not divulging everything but suffice it to say you'll be surprised, horrified, entertained, and inspired by the end of the book.
Concerning the book, I felt the story was very good but the writing seemed a little rough around the edges. I got the impression that Millman, despite having written several other books, is still learning his craft as a narrative type storyteller. It seemed in parts he could have developed the plot more thoroughly and provided more realistic detail for certain key players. Despite these minor flaws I still enjoyed the book tremendously for the insight, wisdom, and entertaining nature of it all. There is nothing better than being able to read an exciting story and also learn how to live in a better way at the same time.
Anyone who enjoys personal transformation, inspiring stories, and fascinating characters will really treasure this read. I only hope that in the future Dan continues to write, teach, and give us more timeless advice from the Warrior/Buddha Socrates.
October 9, 2023
A good book makes the reader read. 🙂
November 1, 2013
This was a fantastic read. "The Journey of Socrates" followed a young boy, Sergei Ivanov, all the way into his adulthood. Sergei spent his childhood in a military academy In Russia during the late 19th century. Sergei was a jewish boy and he learned of the pogroms in Russia when he was in his early teens. Put in a tough spot, Sergei had to choose between the military academy where his uncle, his only family left, was the instructor, or he could pave the way for his own life. Sergei chose to create his own life. Sergei's life is filled with tough decisions, uncertainty, and battles between nature, others, and himself in order for Sergei to survive. "The Journey of Socrates" is filled with stunning plot twists and excellent moral lessons of the value of a human life.
I loved the wild setting and great detail used to describe the character's appearances and emotions. The insanity of Sergei's rival was also a great component to this story, as he almost tries to steal Sergei's life. Every time I started reading I was plunged into the world of Russia in the late 1800's and found myself never wanting to leave.
This book deserves more than 5 stars.
I loved the wild setting and great detail used to describe the character's appearances and emotions. The insanity of Sergei's rival was also a great component to this story, as he almost tries to steal Sergei's life. Every time I started reading I was plunged into the world of Russia in the late 1800's and found myself never wanting to leave.
This book deserves more than 5 stars.
April 21, 2013
This book is a prequel of sorts to the Peaceful Warrior books. I was quite excited when this new book was announced and I certainly wasn’t disappointed once it arrived. Beyond his exceptional ability as a storyteller, Dan Millman succinctly captures the essence of our modern yearnings for lives that make sense, sanity, and warriorship.
The book is set in Tsarist Russia and follows the life of Sergei Ivanov from early childhood through his adult years. He is the one who is called Socrates in the other Peaceful Warrior books. There is a blend of culture, tragedy, violence, mysticism, and martial technology that keeps the reader fully engaged no matter what their preferred genre.
More than just a novel, The Journeys of Socrates can be viewed as a parable or metaphor for living in today’s complex world. Serge learns many lessons (most of them the hard way), and they have definite application today.
The book is set in Tsarist Russia and follows the life of Sergei Ivanov from early childhood through his adult years. He is the one who is called Socrates in the other Peaceful Warrior books. There is a blend of culture, tragedy, violence, mysticism, and martial technology that keeps the reader fully engaged no matter what their preferred genre.
More than just a novel, The Journeys of Socrates can be viewed as a parable or metaphor for living in today’s complex world. Serge learns many lessons (most of them the hard way), and they have definite application today.
January 16, 2008
My Sensei gave me homework for class to read a book “The Peaceful Warrior” of a college graduate who befriended a white hair sage working as a gas attendant. Though he was first irritated by him, he returned, became friends, and found the peaceful warrior within himself.
This is a story of Socrates, that white haired sage, who lived in Russia. His mother died and he was shipped to a military academy to become a Cossack. Trouble was he didn’t know he had Jewish blood in him and instead of becoming a legendary Cossack he just became a gas attendant.
The story was heart-wrenching watching him experience difficult times and people. I don’t want to get into too many details and spoil the twists and turns of the story. Just remember, it’s a much darker story and it’s the last third of the pages that the light begins shining at the end of tunnel.
This is a story of Socrates, that white haired sage, who lived in Russia. His mother died and he was shipped to a military academy to become a Cossack. Trouble was he didn’t know he had Jewish blood in him and instead of becoming a legendary Cossack he just became a gas attendant.
The story was heart-wrenching watching him experience difficult times and people. I don’t want to get into too many details and spoil the twists and turns of the story. Just remember, it’s a much darker story and it’s the last third of the pages that the light begins shining at the end of tunnel.
November 4, 2019
If I could give this countless stars I would. There are also countless ways to describe how special this book is, that I don't know where to begin. I would like to say this. It is the best story I've ever heard, or read, and is hard for me to imagine I could ever read anything like it again, and believe me when I tell you, I have an active imagination.
On a few occasions I found my jaw just dropping, putting down the book for a second to try and absorb what just happened, then quickly and eagerly back to see what great revelation was coming next.
Dan Millman's writing has truly evolved from the Way of the peaceful warrior, the way ones spirit and mind will evolve after reading this masterpiece.
I feel thankful, and blessed to have come across these pages, and will try to share with as many people this experience, so they too can grow with the miracle of Socrates Journey.
On a few occasions I found my jaw just dropping, putting down the book for a second to try and absorb what just happened, then quickly and eagerly back to see what great revelation was coming next.
Dan Millman's writing has truly evolved from the Way of the peaceful warrior, the way ones spirit and mind will evolve after reading this masterpiece.
I feel thankful, and blessed to have come across these pages, and will try to share with as many people this experience, so they too can grow with the miracle of Socrates Journey.
April 26, 2012
It is pure wonder that the human heart can not only survive but presevere over severe tragedy and loss. In this final installment of the Peaceful Warrior series we learn about the man called Socrates and his life of extreme heartache and loss. However, through it all he blossoms in to a being more disciplined and amazing than most. Rising above and conquering himself he becomes the Socrates we know and love from the Way of the Peaceful Warrior. If you have not read this series you must. It will help give you amazing insight about our role in life and the journeys we all embark on, as well as an understanding of who you are deep within.
December 2, 2008
I was catapulted into the heart of a man's search for revenge, and almost taking on his feelings myself. Through his journey I felt as if I were there, beside him, and as "we" continued toward our goal of revenge, my heart lightened and my soul filled with love and forgiveness. I read this book while going through an intense recovery phase in my life and for the first time in years, I regained my faith in God and KNEW the meaning of forgiveness. Amazing, simply amazing.
January 8, 2008
If you really want to see someone overcome major suffering, this is the book for you. Everything that can possibly go wrong in his life does. However, this man turns out to use everything he learned from tragedy and taught others with it. This is based upon journals by Dan Millman's teacher Socrates of Way of the Peaceful Warrior fame.
June 23, 2011
This book is the most powerful, compelleing and insperational jounery that you as a reader will ever go on full of hope loss and guidence you will read this book and never want to put it down untill you get to the end. the end of this book is just mind blowing I recomend everyone to read this book as it sets the bar high for novels from this genre.
December 10, 2011
If asked to rate this book at the half way mark I would have given it 3 stars. Honestly, it was a little slow in parts. But ..... the END - wow - I didn't see that coming and it struck a deep cord with me. What a beautiful story!
You have to read The Way of the Peaceful Warrior first, or it won't have the same impact.
You have to read The Way of the Peaceful Warrior first, or it won't have the same impact.
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October 25, 2017I really enjoyed the book though the violence and cruelty were hard and off putting at times. It's the strength of the over arching message that captured me and kept me reading despite very viseral disgust and dismay at times.
I would say this is a book for mature readers and should possibly be avoided by anyone with sexual traumas as they may possibly be triggered.
I would say this is a book for mature readers and should possibly be avoided by anyone with sexual traumas as they may possibly be triggered.
February 28, 2013
"Expect nothing, Be Ready for Everything", based on this key philosophy, This books journeys us from happiness to great sorrow and back, without bringing these feelings in our psyche. Again in a life changing book, Dan Millman has provided us the insights to learn from within.
April 24, 2008
This is a wonderful book. Full of inspiration and joy the Journey of Socrates is simply compelling.
April 1, 2010
This is what I call a book! It has everything in it... Drama, war, romance, mystery...the list goes on. The 'Peaceful Warrior' books are a must read! This one is my favourite out of them all though.
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