On the Warrior's Path, Second Edition

Philosophy, Fighting, and Martial Arts Mythology

By: Daniele Bolelli

Narrated by: Kirk Magoon

Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The urge to forge one’s character by fighting, in daily life as well as on the mat, appeals to something deep within us. More than a collection of fighting techniques, martial arts constitute a path to developing body, spirit, and awareness.

On the Warrior’s Path connects the martial arts with this larger perspective, merging subtle philosophies with no-holds-barred competition, Nietzsche with Bruce Lee, radical Taoism and Buddhism with the Star Wars Trilogy, traditional martial arts with basketball and American Indian culture.

At the center of all these phenomena is the warrior. Though this archetype seems to manifest contradictory values, author Daniele Bolelli describes the heart of this tension: how the training of martial technique leads to a renunciation of violence, and how overcoming fear leads to a unique freedom.

Aimed at students at any level or tradition of martial arts but also accessible to the armchair warrior, On the Warrior’s Path brings fresh insights to why martial arts remains an enduring and widespread art and discipline. Two new chapters in this second edition focus on spirituality in the martial arts and the author’s personal journey in the field.

©2008, 2010 Daniele Bolelli (P)2020 North Atlantic Books

Critic reviews

“Bolelli’s humorous and at the same time profound prose makes On the Warrior’s Path one of those very rare books about martial arts that is masterfully written...this is one of the most original books about martial arts published in the last decade.” (Journal of Asian Martial Arts)

“Daniele Bolelli has written both a poetic and pragmatic vision of what the martial arts can be.” (Richard Strozzi-Heckler, PhD, author of In Search of the Warrior Spirit)

For the Self

What's cool is the narrative on how martial arts practice is rooted in serving the whole self.

Would love daniele’s voice

Didn’t like the narrator, moved too quickly without allowing ideas to marinate. Felt robotic and emotionless.

Decent read and some points of value.

Some areas are based off of common thought and used for judgement as a reason why one way isn’t good. Some areas are great to interpret.

great 👍

awesome. not the deepest thinker, but he did a good job vocalizing some intuitions I've had.

A great inspiration!

One of the most inspiring books I ever read. Thank you Bolelli for make me feel less lonely for having such enormous energy in my hearth.

Favorite book

This book hit the nail on the head. I have struggled my whole life experiencing life in a very intense way.

Required reading for martial artists

I don’t say this lightly, this book is perfect. Absolutely a must read for anyone interested in martial arts .

Finds the balance

I only would have preferred to hear Daniele narrate the book himself because I’m a fan of his podcast History on Fire, but that aside this book is well worth the time. In true Daniele and daoist style, this book could have fallen prey to being an over indulgent and wordy exploration of the philosophical and mystical martial arts, or to presenting martial arts as a simplistic cure all. This book avoids both pitfalls but also takes the best from each of those approaches to make a thought provoking exploration that is grounded in reality and humour.

Great listen!

Very good insite to a view of the Martial Arts world. I enjoyed it greatly!

Wow. Blown away.

He put words to my own experience of alchemy through martial arts. Powerful. Thank you.