The Warrior Code: 11 Principles to Unleash the Badass Inside of You

Hanible, a retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and military expert on the TV show American Grit, examines her upbringing on Chicago’s South Side and gives readers advice on rising to be their best in her spirited debut. Expelled from high school at 16 for stealing and pulling a fire alarm, Hanible changed after being introduced to the rigors of a military reform school. The school, she writes, kept her out of trouble and led her to the Marines; she deployed to Iraq in 2003. Reflecting on her years of military service, Hanible encourages readers to build healthy habits and achieve ambitions (“no one is born a warrior”) through 11 commands, such as “get some grit” and “give a helping hand,” culminating with the need for self-care. Hanible dispenses sage advice throughout, including the suggestion to mentor, which provides guidance to youth and can help even a mentor as a means of self-reflection. Also included are charts for tracking goals and journaling exercises for deliberation. Readers who have seen Hanible on TV or who are willing to commit to a regimented program of self-betterment will find this forceful book useful. (Feb.)

This review has been updated to include the name of the book's co-author.