thanks OMW, yea maybe its about fighting to keep peace and fight chaos and stuff.

Hepburn, so, the old man in the beginning is a fictional character, right? Because there's no way he can jump on the roof and all the stuff like that. I thought the story was too perfect.

See if its finctional, I cant get myself to accept it.

Thanks, I had the impression the book was based on real stuff. I'll still go on reading it for now but I'd have been happier if it contained stuff that actually happened. Maybe part of is true and if it is not, you know, he should just have told that. He didnt have to decorate it with fairy tales and stuff is how I feel.

Ok then, will let you know how it goes. I should read some of his reviews as well.

I'm reading it more. Not being too critical or negative but, he's saying stuff like:

"I did a sumersault, but something knocked me out and I landed flat on my face. I got up quickly and sat straight, embarrassed. Socrates was softly chuckling and smiling at me"

Really seems like "I slipped on a banana peel, and then the other guy started laughing", kind of humour.

I used to love this type of stuff when I was 10 or 12 years old. I would have loved it then for its style, even if I might not have understood the lessons of the book. At that time I even wrote essays in school that copied this style and got me good marks and I loved writing my own short stories, on the lines of these guys.

But now its looking to me as childish. All of the dialogue is like that and I'm on page 20.

"But but, how did you get up on that roof?"

"Ninjas"

"You mean you're a ninja"

"No, but once in life you have to be a ninja".

Ok I'm still reading it. But I think I'm right. Here's what some peoplpe have pointed out on reviews and I agree with them. I know, I'm only picking out the negative reviews. On average the book is rated 4.5/5.0 but then thats not how I feel:

- "are all ideal for younger readers who will probably enjoy this adventure tale. As with "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior", older readers should look elsewhere for inspiration."

- although perhaps more suited to teenagers than (as others have noted above) more experienced readers.

- As a matter of fact, if you truly want to read a book that will change your life without being so lame I suggest anything by Alexandre Dumas, Ayn Rand or Nathaniel Branden.
Wait a minute! This book did in fact change my life! It changed it because it got me to realize that if a woman you're seeing ever reccomends a piece of trash like this book to you, that you should run away as fast as your feet can carry you!

(that was a funny one)

- "The 'insight' into life is given through a mystical, supernatural old hippie called socrates - this makes the story far too abstract and cannot be applied to real life. Dan Millman has made a lot of money out of some very gullible people."

- "It read like a Disney story or a remake of the Karate Kid."

.... etc.etc.

Now this guy who recommended it to me, I always thought that he was too simple minded and stuff, so Iguess he hasnt changed. I had pity for the guy then and maybe its the case now as well.

So yea thats how I feel, its for young people, not adults.

But ... I will still read it more and might perhaps skip to parts. And I agree with one of the reviewer, it was great to read Nathiel Branden's book on self esteem, although I think if you'e read, you've read them all.

Again sorry to be too critical, oops! I think some people were able to get beyond the 'Disney' style and learn something from it, but me, I need some real stuff. It might help others who can read abstractly and stuff.

But you know what, in the end, I feel no one can change much, not after reading any book. I've bought and read some, didnt do much to me, although it was nice to read some of them and it gave me hope for a short time.

Phew, feel free to ignore this largely negative review of mine. Maybe I'm too critical well yea, that I am.

excuse my grammatical errors etc.

hehyea,and now thats making me think maybe I should be careful about this friend who recommended the book to me. I've had the suspicions before many years ago that he would tell secrets to others behind their backs and pretend to be sincere in front of them. I'll have to be careful now because yea I thought he had changed. Anyway yea.

Nope, i havent read that book. i looked in up in wikipedia and its talking about "spiritual" stuff? To me, anything "spiritual" is just hoopla hoo. For once, there is no such thing (in my athiestic belief) as a spirit, so the word is really pointless. If they want to talk about happiness, and how to be true to ourselves after an abusive childhood or other bad situations, then I'd be interested, because thats what I believe is the real goal. To be strongly true to ourselves. This is such an amazing quality and it solves everything. Self-esteem is also nice, but recently I started thinking about being authentic. It was what I had thought preciously too and it led me to thinking about self-esteem but it looks like perhaps, self-esteem is the by product of being true to our selves.

Because when we had an abusive childhood, we stopped listening to ourselves becuse if we did and said or did what we wanted to do, then we'd be faced with abuse. The key is to get that scared little person inside us, out again and practice being less and less fearful. Anyway.. i got a long way to go, proably might not get there and life will end then.

But yea when I read its about 9 spiritual paths, I was like, you know what, I dont need this. The word is all intellectual hype for everyone, religions or non-religious. Its a "safe" word that works for everyone (except very skeptical and critical people like me - gotta admit, once again).

If a book teaches me how to practice being true to myself, I would buy it right away. I'm sure books on this exist but again, I'm wondering, did the author really just want to make a money, or they really sharing some really good knowledge.

Most books are like that, the moment you put them down, you are back into your original lifestyle. Its just reading a book on how to swim. We cant learn it until we do it and for me, its been almost impossible to change no matter what. I can only hope then. Anyway, now I end my long rant.