Book Review - Way of the Warrior Kid

Jocko Willink was the commander of SEAL Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi during the height of the insurgency in Iraq. He and his men accomplished a lot while they were deployed. Since then, he's retired from military service, started a leadership consulting company, written a book on leadership, started an MMA gym teaching jiu-jitsu, and runs a weekly podcast.

Now, he can add to that list that he's written a children's book.

Way of the Warrior Kid is a story about a kid named Marc that finishes fifth grade as a bit of wimp, but over the course of the summer and under the guidance of his uncle who was also a SEAL, he becomes a warrior and crushes sixth grade.

Amazon

The book is simply outstanding. Even as an adult, I found a lot of value in the lessons it intends for kids.

The story itself is entertaining, but the underlying lessons are what make it shine. What I particularly appreciated about it is the focus that is put on mindset and discipline.

Ugh, really? Discipline? Snore!

Yeah, I know, but Jocko does a great job of wrapping it all together in the story so that by the time a kid realizes that discipline is what's being taught, it's too late and they've already been hooked. Over the course of the story, Marc learns the benefits of self-discipline and hard work.

The emphasis on mindset and self-discipline serve to encourage kids to hold themselves to a higher standard and to constantly improve themselves.