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The Warrior Ethos Paperback – March 11, 2011

by Steven Pressfield (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,376 ratings
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WARS CHANGE, WARRIORS DON'TWe are all warriors. Each of us struggles every day to define and defend our sense of purpose and integrity, to justify our existence on the planet and to understand, if only within our own hearts, who we are and what we believe in. Do we fight by a code? If so, what is it? What is the Warrior Ethos? Where did it come from? What form does it take today? How do we (and how can we) use it and be true to it in our internal and external lives?The Warrior Ethos is intended not only for men and women in uniform, but artists, entrepreneurs and other warriors in other walks of life. The book examines the evolution of the warrior code of honor and "mental toughness." It goes back to the ancient Spartans and Athenians, to Caesar's Romans, Alexander's Macedonians and the Persians of Cyrus the Great (not excluding the Garden of Eden and the primitive hunting band). Sources include Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Xenophon, Vegetius, Arrian and Curtius--and on down to Gen. George Patton, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and Israeli Minister of Defense, Moshe Dayan.
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  1. Print length
    112 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 11, 2011
  4. Dimensions
    5 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    193689100X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1936891009
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steven Pressfield is the author of The Profession, Gates of Fire, Tides of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The War of Art and Do the Work among others. He is a former Marine. In 2003, he was made an honorary citizen by the city of Sparta in Greece.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Irish Entertainment LLC (March 11, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 193689100X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1936891009
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.99 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,376 ratings

About the author

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Steven Pressfield

Steven Pressfield

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Steven Pressfield is the author of The War of Art which has sold over a millions copies globally and been translated into multiple languages. He is a master of historical fiction with Gates of Fire being on the required reading list at West Point and the the recommended reading list of the Joint Chiefs. His other books include A Man at Arms, Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Artist's Journey, Tides of War, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion's Gate, The Warrior Ethos, The Authentic Swing, An American Jew, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, and The Knowledge.

His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance was over 30 years in the making. He hasn't stopped writing since.

Steve lives and writes in California. You can following him on IG @steven_pressfield. Sign up for his weekly writing newsletter at stevenpressfield.com

"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,376 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and inspiring. It provides practical guidance on a noble philosophical path that anyone can take. They praise the writing quality as excellent and well-written. The book accurately describes what a true warrior is and archetypes throughout life seem spot-on. However, some readers feel the content is too short and lacking in depth.

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ReadabilityInsightWriting qualityCharacterizationShortnessContent
325 customers mention "Readability"315 positive10 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the great content and short chapters. The book is a good choice for military personnel and police officers, as it provides valuable insights into the warrior mindset.

"It's a great book that describes what it means to be part of a culture in the military, or any organization...." Read more

"...This was a quick, enlightening read, but I wish Pressfield would have widened his lens to include the Samurai, Kshatriya, and the East-- cultures..." Read more

"...At only 90 pages, written in 3 parts, with 30 very short chapters, you may find yourself like me, devouring this easy read in about 2 hours." Read more

"...It takes away from the essential authority of book. Good overall, but not authoritative." Read more

147 customers mention "Insight"147 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides practical guidance on a noble philosophical path. They say it inspires them to incorporate the warrior ethos into their own lives. The book covers many examples of discipline, honor, sacrifice, and the fundamental makeup of an individual's programmed beliefs. Readers mention the book touches their souls and touches both external and internal spiritual warfare.

"...with the Marines learning about effective, principled and goal oriented leadership...." Read more

"This is a slender, concise book on warriors by Steven Pressfield, a man who has spent much of his life studying and writing about their ways...." Read more

"This book is a series of thoughts expanded into fuller sections, and it seems as if the author is trying to have a conversation with the readers...." Read more

"...so many, today - shallow, hollow, greedy - this book helped me see a better way to live and to stand my ground, believe in something better and be..." Read more

90 customers mention "Writing quality"87 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's writing quality good. They describe it as an easy read with loosely structured chapters. The quotes are excellent and the writing style is fluid and concise. Readers say the author's summaries are true.

"...of his intellect, knowledge of wars and warriors and a compact writing style to this book...." Read more

"...new to the notion and wishing to learn, it gives you a sufficiently ample understanding of the what and why of Warriorism, and leaves room for you..." Read more

"...the Macedonians, the Athenians, etc... this book reads like a collection of essays, but a collection that can be enjoyed individually, or as a..." Read more

"...Once the writing style becomes familiar, after the first 20 pages or so, readers can get into the rhythm and this book will be completed in one..." Read more

13 customers mention "Characterization"10 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's characterization of warriors accurate. They appreciate the author's insights into warrior psychology and archetypes throughout history. The book is informative and helpful, with an insightful look at warrior psychology and archetypal patterns throughout life.

"Pressfield brings the best of his intellect, knowledge of wars and warriors and a compact writing style to this book...." Read more

"...wars, this one is refreshingly different because of it focus on the Warrior archetype; not the history of the Greek wars...." Read more

"...The look at warriors and their psychology through history both as warriors, leaders, and humans combined with a look at how those attitudes show up..." Read more

"I like the book. But Spartans are overrated in this book." Read more

24 customers mention "Shortness"3 positive21 negative

Customers find the book too short. They say it has powerful messages but they wish it was longer. The book is small in size and pages.

"...This book I found disapointing ..... because it was too short!..." Read more

"...However, the book is too short, and thus the author doesn't develop his subject in much depth at all...." Read more

"This is a small book, however a great read. Can be read in one sitting, but you will want to read it a few times over...." Read more

"To call this a book is a stretch. It is a small footprint 90 page pamphlet with a lot of white space...." Read more

19 customers mention "Content"0 positive19 negative

Customers find the book's content lacking depth and profundity. They describe it as a thin, frivolous read with platitudes interspersed with vague stories. Some readers feel the book is not a full investigation but rather a conversation guide.

"...It is theory, but it is known theory, that any of us with a tad of reflection could have reached, yet perhaps not written with the fluent prose such..." Read more

"...to further comment given the overarching vexations and shallow pretense of history here. A true disappointment." Read more

"...It was simply pages of platitudes inter-spaced with vague stories...." Read more

"...So it is an interesting and well-written piece, but a bit shallow...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Steve Dietrich
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome-Great Read For Those With and Without Military Backgrounds
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Pressfield brings the best of his intellect, knowledge of wars and warriors and a compact writing style to this book. It engages the reader along the way to think about things in different ways. Also a wonderful insight into some morsels of history.

    I just pushed the buy button to purchase 4 more copies of the book

    Two to friends with long term military careers who are struggling with the internal corporate politics. Hopefully it will help them understand the differences between their culture and that of the increasingly morally vacuous cultures in too many organizations.

    One to an extremely effective high school teacher to help him in discussions with students about their career options including the military.

    One to have as a spare to loan

    The book is short, not due to an absence of thought, but rather from the quality of the writing.

    Camille Paglia recently did an interview with the WSJ (Dec, 2013) in which she noted the absence of military service among Wall Street, big business and political leadership as a potentially deadly threat to our nation.

    After teaching for a number of years in a leading university's MBA program and decades in business I am convinced that most of our business schools would be far better off sending their faculty off to spend 6 months with the Marines learning about effective, principled and goal oriented leadership. The Marine Gunny with a high school education knows is a far more capable leader and far more capable trainer of leaders than our corporate leadership. The cornerstone of that effectiveness is the Warrior Ethos. No doubt some of Pressfield's disciplined writing skills came from his Marine Corps experience.

    A great read....... highly recommended.
    23 people found this helpful
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  • The Irish Pirate
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book from a great Author
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It's a great book that describes what it means to be part of a culture in the military, or any organization. Many get wrapped around the word ethos in the title, they are missing the point of the book, it is the shared experiences that have that bring people together. I have several copies with my own notes written in the margins, and I have also given several copies to junior Marines over the years. Great for any reader.
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  • Mason Frierson
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Little Book on Warrior Ethos
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a slender, concise book on warriors by Steven Pressfield, a man who has spent much of his life studying and writing about their ways. It is slanted toward the West and the Spartans in particular, whom are a brutal, dysfunctional bunch, albeit highly effective. This was a quick, enlightening read, but I wish Pressfield would have widened his lens to include the Samurai, Kshatriya, and the East-- cultures that embrace the spiritual path alongside a martial one. But, as his novels attest, he is virtually a Greek historian so it makes sense that his concept of warriorhood would be epitomized by the Spartans. Warrior cultures, no matter where they arise, have universal traits and Pressfield touches upon many of them here.

    The ethos of the warrior is one of discipline and hardship, courage and selflessness. It is about putting certain things before yourself. Honor reigns supreme. Shame is worse than death and old age comes only to a few. The Spartan way is short and hard. Boys are removed from their mothers when they are young and husbands cannot live with their wives until thirty. The Spartan life style produced highly effective warriors, yet it seems a bit imbalanced to me. Freedom of choice was not an option. The Spartans did not produce art, architecture, or literature. They left nothing behind. Their survival was perilously poised upon a large population of slaves. Spartans lived for one thing only: War. They mastered themselves through discipline and the willing acceptance of pain. They were not creators, but they were the ultimate guardians. Western Civilization as we know it has survived because of them.

    If one seeks to learn what it means to be a warrior, this book is a good place to start. The Spartans embodied the Western ethos of warriorhood thoroughly, but they are not the final word on the subject.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Yaakov
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good primer, reference - sufficient
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Synopsis: worthwhile, applicable. I began this book with high hopes, but then was initially struck by the seeming over-simplicity and brevity of discussion Mr. Pressfield offers in presenting his chosen overarching concepts. The impression I first formed quickly gave way to another: Warrior ethos is a way of life that can be read about, but must be individually meditated upon, internalized, and acted upon. Now I know this on many levels, it is something I already live by; hence, I now see the advantage of this book: it will serve to ground those who live the warrior ethos and reflect on its elements in their own advancement and mental preparation. For those new to the notion and wishing to learn, it gives you a sufficiently ample understanding of the what and why of Warriorism, and leaves room for you to reflect on how to become a warrior in your own life. Nothing in this book rang untrue or exagerated. It is complete, and picks up steam as you go.

    At only 90 pages, written in 3 parts, with 30 very short chapters, you may find yourself like me, devouring this easy read in about 2 hours.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Daniel Villarreal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really Great Book
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Muy buen libro, fácil de entender y con explicaciones sencillas y al punto, perfecto si estás empezando un viaje de autoconocimiento.
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  • delfin carbonell
    1.0 out of 5 stars I am surprised at Pressfield
    Reviewed in Spain on May 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    It is a very disappointing book(let) not worthy of Pressfield, and I am a fan of his. It appears as a cut and paste type of book(let), literary odds and ends.
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  • Pâmela Alves Cardoso
    5.0 out of 5 stars se tornou um dos meus livros de cabeceira
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    eu comprei o livro pelo kindle, então pra quem não tiver um inglês muito fluente é uma ótima opção pq tem o tradutor e também os significados em inglês então vc já pode conferir na própria página de leitura. Em relação ao conteúdo, é realmente muito essencial, o autor sintetiza o pensamento e a leitura é muito gostosa. é um livro super interessante e essa ética da guerreira fica bem clara para que levemos pra nossa vida e nossa própria ética.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars short and to the point
    Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is short and straight to the point. It is not a novel of information on how to be a warrior but more a reflection on the philosophy that warrior cultures and societies stem from. Should be required reading specifically for combat arms trades.
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  • David E. Carr
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my new favorites!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic book. Very well researched. Engaging. Read it cover to cover. Most enjoyable.
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