Book Nook: The Warrior's Book of Virtues

Right now my younger daughter is really into things like spies and military - she'd love to be in the special forces someday if that becomes a possibility. So I was intrigued at the chance to review The Warrior's Book of Virtues: A Field Manual for Living Your Best Life written by three people with strong military experience.

The book uses the principles of the US Marine Corps and applies them to everyday life in ways that can help everyone - with military experience or not - strive for their best lives. The book focuses on development of character, including discipline, fortitude, and moral excellence.

although it's clearly written for adults, I shared sections with my daughter as well, and she was very intrigued and inspired. She's been really working to make some solid improvements in herself lately, and even if she doesn't have the life experience to understand everything in the book, the values are appropriate for people of any age.

It's a straightforward book that really seeks to facilitate improvement and self-discipline in readers - and shows how anyone can take the best of the character-building from the USMC and apply it to their own lives.

Nick Benas, USMC, is a former United States Marine Sergeant and Iraqi Combat Veteran. He's the author of Mental Health Emergencies and Tactical Mobility. He travels around the United States training individuals on how to recognize a developing mental illness and how to prevent someone from slipping into a crisis. Nick attended Southern Connecticut State University for his undergraduate degree in Sociology, and for his M.S. in Public Policy. He has been featured by more than 50 major media outlets for his business success and entrepreneurship, including Entrepreneur Magazine, Men's Health, ABC, FOX, ESPN, and CNBC.

Matthew Bloom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves where he spent eight years and did two combat tours to Iraq. During this time he worked at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility as a counselor and assistant therapist for incarcerated offenders. Matt then worked as law enforcement at the Department of Veterans Affairs. After getting his Masters in Social Work, he then worked five years as a licensed social worker. Matt is currently a police officer in Pittsburgh, PA. Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, he attended Penn State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Richard "Buzz" Bryan is currently the Outreach Coordinator for the West Palm Beach VA medical center. He previously served as the OEF/OIF Transition Patient Advocate (TPA) for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN4) based in Pittsburgh, PA for ten years, working specifically with Iraq & Afghanistan veterans. Buzz was a member of the Navy/Marine Corps team and retired from the United States Navy in July 2011 after 22 years of honorable service as a Fleet Marine Force Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman.