Dan Millman

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Dan Millman is an author of several self-help books, the most famous of which is the fictionalized autobiography Way of the Peaceful Warrior (1980). The winner of the 1964 World Trampoline Championship in London, he co-captained the 1968 NCAA University of California gymnastics team and has also worked as a gymnastics instructor at Stanford University and a professor of physical education at Oberlin College. He is most often connected to the human potential movement along with Anthony Robbins.

Contents

[edit] Way of the Peaceful Warrior (1980)

Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Millman's first self-help book, is a piece of autobiographical fiction set mostly during his college years. Initially the book had only modest sales, before Hal Kramer reportedly came out of retirement to republish the book and help make it a best seller.

Summary: The story tells of a chance meeting with a gas station attendant who becomes a mentor to the young gymnast, Dan Millman, who names the attendant "Socrates". When Millman's right leg is shattered in a motorcycle accident, Socrates becomes Millman's spiritual teacher and shows Millman how to become a Peaceful Warrior.

Criticism: More than one reviewer has noticed the similarity of the book to Carlos Castaneda's series of Don Juan books, particularly the 1972 Journey to Ixtlan. Like Robert Pirsig's 1974 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Millman's use of a character from Plato in Socrates is also noteworthy. The basic concept of finding a wise mentor is a literary trope or theme of long standing, used by authors from Dante to Jonathan Swift, although Millman is more often compared to Lynn V. Andrews or naturalist Tom Brown, a compliment among fans of such genre fiction.

In the summer of 2006, Lions Gate Films released a film version, Peaceful Warrior, starring Scott Mechlowicz and Nick Nolte.

[edit] Chronological List of Books by Dan Millman

  • Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives (1980). Fictionalized autobiography. ISBN 0-915811-89-8
  • Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior (1991). Details the world travels of the character in the above book. ISBN 0-915811-33-2
  • Secret of the Peaceful Warrior: A Story About Courage and Love (1991). Children's book. ISBN 0-915811-23-5
  • Quest for the Crystal Castle: A Peaceful Warrior Children's Book (1992). ISBN 0-915811-41-3
  • Everyday Enlightenment: The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth (1999). ISBN 0-446-67497-4
  • Body Mind Mastery: Creating Success in Sport and Life (1999). ISBN 1-57731-094-2
    Previous versions of same book:
  • The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation ISBN 0-915811-93-6
  • No Ordinary Moments: A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life ISBN 0-915811-40-5
  • Living on Purpose: Straight Answers to Universal Questions ISBN 1-57731-132-9
  • Divine Interventions: True Stories of Mysteries and Miracles That Change Lives (with Doug Childers, 2000) ISBN 1-57954-338-3
  • Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives, H J Kramer, 20th Anniversary Edition, ISBN 0-915811-89-8
  • The Journeys of Socrates (April 1, 2005) Prequel to first book. ISBN 0-06-083302-5
  • Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior: A Companion to the Book That Changes Lives (January 2007)

[edit] Books grouped by topic

Dan Millman groups his books into three major categories: [1]

  1. Novels for inspiration and to provide the big picture:
    • Way of the Peaceful Warrior
    • Sacred Journey
    • The Journeys of Socrates
  2. Non-fiction
    • Core teaching and practical guide books:
      • Wisdom Of The Peaceful Warrior
      • Living on Purpose
      • The Life You Were Born to Live
      • Everyday Enlightenment
      • The Laws of Spirit
    • More general guide books and examples:
      • Body Mind Mastery
      • No Ordinary Moments
      • Divine Interventions
  3. Children's books:
    • Secret of the Peaceful Warrior
    • Quest for the Crystal Castle

[edit] External links

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