In Search of the Warrior Spirit: Teaching Awareness Disciplines to the Green Berets (Paperback)

by Richard Strozzi-Heckler (Author) "On a hot day in early June of 1985 I was interrupted at my desk by a phone call..." (more)
Key Phrases: synchrony training, biofeedback lab, aikido class, Special Forces, World War, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A must read for those amongst us who really consider themselves warriors. -- Michael E. Haas, Lt. Colonel, United States Air Force; Head, Air Force Special Operations

This book should be necessary reading material for all Rangers and Special Forces units. -- Keith M. Nightingale, Commander, Ranger Training Brigade

Review
"This book should be necessary reading material for all Rangers and Special Forces units."
—Keith M. Nightingale, Commander, Ranger Training Brigade

"In my personal opinion, Strozzi-Heckler hits the mark in identifying one of the most troubling problems affecting today's U.S. military forces: the ascendancy of technology at the expense of moral values that underpin the true spirit of the Profession of Arms. A must read for those amongs us who really consider themselves warriors."
—Michael E. Haas, Lt. Colonel, United States Air Force; Head, Air Force Special Operations

"An exciting journal of discovery...Essential reading for military leaders who want to broaden their ability to adapt to a world characterized by ambiguity. Strozzi-Heckler's original work helps readers link the important of mind-body-spirit integration to cutting edge leadership in a pragmatic and thoughtful manner."
—Fred T. Krawchuk, Lt. Colonel, United States Army Special Forces

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 325 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books; 3 edition (January 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556434251
• ISBN-13: 978-1556434259
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #820,527 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Know your enemy, know yourself...., March 7, 2003

By	Jason Cullinane "steepler" (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - See all my reviews

I am an officer in the United States Army, Special Operations Command. I am a 4 time NCAA All American in Track & Field (3000m steeplechase). I have competed in the 3000m Steeplechase at the Olympic Trials. I also practice Aikido. I mention these things to tell you my point of view.

This book was loaned to me by a friend at my dojo who knew that I was in the military and was preparing to head overseas. The book touches on aspects of everything I have ever done. The mental training needed to be a good runner, the discipline required to be a soldier and the compassion necessary for Aikido. I read this book and immediatly felt that I was Richard Heckler, or that he was me. It is a thought provoking book that shows the better face of the modern warrior. Not a "Kill-bot", but a human being.

It is important to note what is implied here, which is that we must see with better eyes. To understand someone, to know why they do what they do. This is to see with their eyes. This book is simply a chronology of events that took place, but between the lines it is a revelation about being a warrior for everyone involved....even the reader.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Response to "Oh Why the Marines", June 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: In Search of the Warrior Spirit (Paperback)

In rubuttal to this writer, his information is false. I was one of the Marines in the platoon involved in this training. His comment that the Marines called Dr. Heckler a "fruitloop" is absolutely false. In fact, many of the Marines involved labelled the 6 weeks of training some of the most influential and most "warrior-like" that they had received since they joined the Corps. Also, the writer makes another false statement when he says that hardly any of this training made it into the current program. Many aspects of the training are in MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program). The types of strikes, body hardening excercises, visualization, were all part of the pilot program and are in the current MCMAP program. I am not here to plug the book (though I do feel it has it merits). I am here, as a member of the Marine platoon who participated in this training, to offer a rebuttal to this writer who clearly offers false information.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An extremely important work, May 8, 2003

By A Customer

First, let me counter a couple of criticisms by some of the other reviewers.

To the person who said the work was too self absorbed - I have no idea what you are thinking. The book is this mans journal - of course it is very personal. It is supposed to give us insight into his own inner conflicts. Personally I do not trust people for whom everything is so simple that they have no inner conflicts. That is fundamentalism and a distorted and shallow way to view the complexity of experience.

Second to the right wing nut who went off calling this guy a fruitloop for his work with the Marines etc. I have no idea what you are all about - or if you even read this book.

I will say that this book confirms for me the difference between a soldier and a warrior. A warrior is a pioneer of thought and last to pick up the sword. A soldier is essentially an automoton trained to take orders without question or thought. Both are necessary cogs in the US Military, despite their contradictory nature.

Green Berets in particular have missions that go beyond mindlessly fulfilling orders. As with many special operators they are required to think creatively, communicate with lead and inspire natives, and overcome obstacles. It's not just about what you see in Rambo movies.

This book is important for soldiers, and martial artists of all types. It gives us the sense that peace and conflict are like yin and yang- and cannot ever be totally separated. For hundreds of years the samurai (Japan's professional warriors) were expected to participate in writing poetry and flower arranging.