Publishers Weekly
03/11/2024
Military veteran and reality TV show host Lam shares combat tales, childhood memories, and notes on recovery in his rollicking debut memoir. Lam was born in the basement of a Saigon hospital while it was being bombed by North Vietnamese forces in 1974. After the war ended, his family escaped Vietnam in a small wooden boat, landing first at an Indonesian refugee camp before immigrating to North Carolina in 1981. There, a young Lam endured racist bullying and sharpened his resolve to join the U.S. Army. A member of the special forces, he served in Iraq, the Philippines, and other hot spots over the course of two decades. After he left the armed forces, his nascent addiction to Percocet intensified, fueled by a desire to “numb... the pain of loss, guilt, war, hate, and everything else that was broiling in my brain.” While dealing with that addiction, Lam founded a training firm called Ronin Tactics that drew on his combat experience and the mixed martial arts he studied for most of his life; was recruited by the History Channel to host the obstacle course competition show Knife or Death; and became the basis for a character named Ronin in the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Throughout, Lam undercuts the testosterone-soaked self-aggrandizement the material might suggest, offering a candid assessment of his own repressed rage. Lam’s fascinating life and natural gift for storytelling make this a page-turner even for readers new to his exploits. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune. (May)
From the Publisher
"Tu Lam is among the most inspirational warriors of our time. In a world full of misdirection, Tu will always show us true north." —Shawn Ryan, former Navy SEAL and president of Vigilance Elite"A no-holds-barred journey through the life of an extraordinary warrior. The Way of Rōnin isn't just a memoir; it's a battle cry for those navigating their own path to greatness." —Bill Goldberg, American professional wrestler and actor"To have peace, one must exhibit the ability to fight alone through the darkness, becoming the light which others can see as their own beacon of hope and prosperity. If you truly dare to travel the path less traveled, then allow this book to be your first step in your journey." —Phil Heath, Mr. Olympia (seven-time winner), international speaker and entrepreneur “The Way of Rōnin shows that Tu Lam is more than the stories, his medals, or his business success. He's the kind of man who makes you want to be better. I genuinely thank Tu for sharing himself with the world in this book; we can all benefit from knowing Tu and being better for it." —Ethan Whitfield, former Green Beret and CEO "It seems like there isn't anything this guy can't do! I couldn't put this book down!" —Michael Agency, former Marine, former Glendale PD and co-owner of Agency Arms "An extraordinarily powerful memoir that is both a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a riveting narrative of survival, valor, and personal evolution. Lam's tale is not just his own but serves as a mirror reflecting the universal quest for significance that resonates with every soul embarked on their own path to greatness." —Trung Nguyen, former US Army Ranger, former Chicago SWAT and founder of We Go Home "A powerful story of perseverance, and the embodiment of the American dream." —Ryan William, former Navy SEAL and president of Industry Threadworks “The Way of Rōnin offers invaluable insights into the mindset and skills necessary for navigating life's challenges with resilience and honor. Tu's book is a compelling guide for anyone seeking to embrace the path of the warrior in today's world." —Curtis V. Iovito, US Army Special Forces (RET) "In a genre where readers love characters like James Bond and Jason Bourne, Tu Lam has been there and done that. He’s lived that life, and he’s the real deal. You might know him as the basis for the famed character in Call of Duty. Now, get to know him through his captivating memoir, THE WAY OF RONNIN, chronicling a life that is nothing short of extraordinary. From a Special Forces veteran and the Founder of Ronin Tactics, Lam's journey from a turbulent childhood to becoming a decorated Green Beret is a testament to his resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit. This isn’t just a personal account, but rather a source of inspiration and a riveting narrative of sacrifice and triumph over adversity that will leave a lasting impact on readers from all walks of life.”–Ryan Steck, The Real Book Spy and author of Out For Blood "Good reading for aspiring warriors."—Kirkus "Lam’s fascinating life and natural gift for storytelling make this a page-turner even for readers new to his exploits."—Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
2024-03-28
A Vietnamese refugee’s sentimental education as a soldier and martial artist.
Experiencing racism and discrimination growing up, Tu learned important lessons from his mother (“smile and be brave”), and he has found plenty of occasion to put her cheerful stoicism into practice throughout his life. A student of martial arts, the author signed up to be a soldier. He excelled, but being a regular grunt wasn’t enough. First, he decided to try Ranger training: “Combat is easy,” someone told him. “Ranger School is hard.” Surviving that brutal schooling and numerous instances of racism on the part of his instructors and even some fellow students, Tu then trained as a reconnaissance scout and sniper before becoming a Green Beret and taking up its motto to “free the oppressed.” (His other mantra: “Shut Up and Learn.”) It’s a Horatio Alger story without a wealthy patron and with an endless supply of death-dealing hardware. As the narrative progresses, Tu gets fuzzier with the details, inasmuch as his work is now classified (“even the name of my unit was secret”) and would seem to involve targeted killing and other forms of dangerous international ventures. Tu survived it all, only to endure a traumatic brain injury in the field and fall into depression and addiction. “It was like my soul had been taken from me. I couldn’t find my purpose....And my only answer was more pills,” he writes. Tu’s devotion to cultivating his ronin persona helped his recovery, and he went on to star on the History Channel’s Forged in Fire: Knife or Death and serve as inspiration for the Ronin character in Call of Duty. Overall, the story has interesting twists and courage to spare, but the narration is merely dutiful—though it certainly can’t be faulted for its unfailing earnestness.
Good reading for aspiring warriors.
