This marvelous book chronicles a number of letters from the author to a SEAL teammate. The one thought that really jumped out at me was "This guy is really well read." This makes sense since the little blurb thing says that he is a Rhodes Scholar, so I can well imagine.

Using inspirational bits of wisdom gleaned from several centuries of our history, Greitens talks about everything from Marcus Aurelius to Michel de Montaigne, from Lao Tze to Nietzsche. His main topic is Resilience, a quality that is important for living well. Using his own wisdom and those of others, Greitens talks about the importance of having many different things; a purpose, a mentor, friendships, and many other things.

It was very well done, though I would have finished it faster if I didn't have so many other books. ( )

Resilience is the virtue that enables people to move through hardship and become better. No one escapes pain, fear, and suffering. Yet from pain can come wisdom, from fear can come courage, from suffering can come strength- if we have the virtue of resilience. Resilience is distinct from mere survival and more than mere endurance. Resilience is often endurance with direction. We learn best about resilience not when we focus on dramatic moments, but when we take in the arc of our whole lives. Resilience is cultivated not so we can perform welling a single instance but so that we can live a full and flourishing life. That is the message of Eric Greitens' book. The book is more than simple advice. Resilience is a book steeped in the language of the Greek philosophers . It is a series of letters written by Greiten a former Navy SEAL to another former Navy SEAL who has had trouble adjusting to civilian life. There are 23 letters which cover how resilience relates to every aspect of life. The contents of these letters are not just applicable those in the service. The messages in these letters can apply to anyone trying to rebuild or improve their life. With most books I recommend the reader get the book from the library before buying it. This book is the exception to that rule. This a book you will want to read over again and contemplate its message. I was emotionally moved by this writer's prose. This is a book you will want to give as a high school graduation gift. Your sons and daughters will benefit from reading this book and learning about the virtues of resilience. ( )