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The Way of Ronin: Defying the Odds on Battlefields, in Business and in Life – A Powerful Military Memoir of Overcoming PTSD and Addiction
A gripping memoir detailing Tu Lam ' s life, from his childhood as a Vietnamese refugee, his military career as a decorated Green Beret, his time as an underground MMA fighter, to becoming the basis for Call of Duty 's Ronin character.
Tu Lam is known not just for his remarkable accomplishments in the military, as a decorated Green Beret in more than two dozen international war zones, but for his exceptional work outside of it. His fellow soldiers know him for his successful company that he runs with his wife providing aid to military and law enforcement, as well as his tireless charity work for veterans with physical and mental disabilities. Others know him from his popular History Channel television series Forged in Knife or Death , or for his appearance in and contribution to the world’s bestselling video game, Call of Modern Warfare .
His accomplishments are all the more impressive considering that Tu Lam was born in a Saigon basement during a North Vietnamese air raid. He barely survived a month drifting at sea in an overcrowded fishing boat. He nearly drowned in an Indonesian refugee camp. He suffered an American childhood of racism, abuse and hatred. Despite all that, he still returned to conflicted zones around the world to “free the oppressed”—starting with himself.
That decision led him to more than two decades of grueling instruction in every facet of the special forces, then deployment to war and conflict zones—all while channeling his inner anger in secret underground no-holds-barred fighting matches. When he finally retired from the military after more than two decades, his demons caught up with him, leading to years of addiction. But even that didn’t defeat him.
Tu Lam’s life is, at times, all too real, and at many others times, almost unbelievable. For fans of Jocko Willink and David Goggins, The Way of the Tiger is an ultimately triumphant tale of what one man can accomplish against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Tu Lam is known not just for his remarkable accomplishments in the military, as a decorated Green Beret in more than two dozen international war zones, but for his exceptional work outside of it. His fellow soldiers know him for his successful company that he runs with his wife providing aid to military and law enforcement, as well as his tireless charity work for veterans with physical and mental disabilities. Others know him from his popular History Channel television series Forged in Knife or Death , or for his appearance in and contribution to the world’s bestselling video game, Call of Modern Warfare .
His accomplishments are all the more impressive considering that Tu Lam was born in a Saigon basement during a North Vietnamese air raid. He barely survived a month drifting at sea in an overcrowded fishing boat. He nearly drowned in an Indonesian refugee camp. He suffered an American childhood of racism, abuse and hatred. Despite all that, he still returned to conflicted zones around the world to “free the oppressed”—starting with himself.
That decision led him to more than two decades of grueling instruction in every facet of the special forces, then deployment to war and conflict zones—all while channeling his inner anger in secret underground no-holds-barred fighting matches. When he finally retired from the military after more than two decades, his demons caught up with him, leading to years of addiction. But even that didn’t defeat him.
Tu Lam’s life is, at times, all too real, and at many others times, almost unbelievable. For fans of Jocko Willink and David Goggins, The Way of the Tiger is an ultimately triumphant tale of what one man can accomplish against seemingly insurmountable odds.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
368 pages, Hardcover
Published May 21, 2024
94 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 28, 2025
One of the best books I’ve ever listened to.
November 25, 2025
I have to say, I ended up liking this book way more than I thought I would.
Tu Lam was just a baby when his family fled Viet Nam after the fall of Saigon, his family having watched their grandfather executed in the street outside their house. Floating as refugees in a boat towed far out to sea by the Indonesian military because they didn't want 'boat people' coming into their country, the entire family came to the brink of death, barely conscious when a Russian trawler finally picked them up.
Through massive racism and discrimination, Tu persevered until he joind the US Army, then progressed into the Special Forces where he saw a LOT of action, then to the CIA's 'Unit', the super-quiet paramilitary arm known as the Special Activities Division.
But the book is a surprisingly spiritual journey, the story of a warrior's evolution and the struggles he faced after leaving the military.
A fascinating read, and highly recommended.
Tu Lam was just a baby when his family fled Viet Nam after the fall of Saigon, his family having watched their grandfather executed in the street outside their house. Floating as refugees in a boat towed far out to sea by the Indonesian military because they didn't want 'boat people' coming into their country, the entire family came to the brink of death, barely conscious when a Russian trawler finally picked them up.
Through massive racism and discrimination, Tu persevered until he joind the US Army, then progressed into the Special Forces where he saw a LOT of action, then to the CIA's 'Unit', the super-quiet paramilitary arm known as the Special Activities Division.
But the book is a surprisingly spiritual journey, the story of a warrior's evolution and the struggles he faced after leaving the military.
A fascinating read, and highly recommended.
November 21, 2025
Wow! I’ve honestly never heard of Tu Lam before reading this book, and I almost felt like that might have made the book even better. I loved learning about his life and how he grew up. It was so powerful and interesting this memoir. I thought that the story was told in a captivating way, and I honestly didn’t want to put it down. If you are looking for a nonfiction read that has war and an inspirational story, then definitely check this one out!
I received this book for free from the publisher, which does not affect my review.
I received this book for free from the publisher, which does not affect my review.
July 17, 2024
4+ stars. This is a story of resilience and indominable human spirit. From hopeless circumstances and incessant abuse rises a young warrior who reaches the pinnacle of the American Special Operations Forces. Security concerns redact many of the operational details, yet one still gains an appreciation of the toll this optempo extracts over two decades of service. America couldn’t ask anymore of anyone so dedicated to his profession and the cause of liberating the oppressed. After retirement, Lam has continued to influence and help people through self-defense training.
Inherent to the story is the code of the warrior, the way of the warrior: Bushido. Tu Lam describes how he followed this path and what he learned along the way. He envisions himself as the embodiment of the ronin and writes poignantly of his visit to the cave where Musashi wrote “The Book of Five Rings.” Professional soldiers can readily see the connections between the martial and the military arts. Tu Lam has much of value to say to us. His record of helping others, especially those who face innumerable demons, is clear.
Yet, you can master all of the particulars but still miss the universal.
I found many similarities between the life circumstances and experiences Tu Lam has with those of two other authors: David Goggins (“Can’t Hurt Me”) and Fifty Cent (“The 50th Law”). As I wrote in my GR review of Goggins’ book, “There are some very interesting parallels in starting from dangerous beginnings, grasping reality, self-reliance, and adapting to survive and succeed. A most important but unstated point is temporal dependence upon self and emphasis on now.” I also wrote “they are both stories devoid of any [truly] spiritual thoughts, of temporal purpose for eternal ends, or of the [true] God Who created them.” This is not exactly apropos to Lam as he mixes some Buddhism and Confucianism into his worldview. The main point of angst among all three is a huge God-sized hole in their spirits which none of them fills with the Holy Spirit, Who brings true peace. Scoffers and universalists will snicker but the truth is there. What does it profit a man to gain the entire world through the particulars but universally lose his eternal soul?
Inherent to the story is the code of the warrior, the way of the warrior: Bushido. Tu Lam describes how he followed this path and what he learned along the way. He envisions himself as the embodiment of the ronin and writes poignantly of his visit to the cave where Musashi wrote “The Book of Five Rings.” Professional soldiers can readily see the connections between the martial and the military arts. Tu Lam has much of value to say to us. His record of helping others, especially those who face innumerable demons, is clear.
Yet, you can master all of the particulars but still miss the universal.
I found many similarities between the life circumstances and experiences Tu Lam has with those of two other authors: David Goggins (“Can’t Hurt Me”) and Fifty Cent (“The 50th Law”). As I wrote in my GR review of Goggins’ book, “There are some very interesting parallels in starting from dangerous beginnings, grasping reality, self-reliance, and adapting to survive and succeed. A most important but unstated point is temporal dependence upon self and emphasis on now.” I also wrote “they are both stories devoid of any [truly] spiritual thoughts, of temporal purpose for eternal ends, or of the [true] God Who created them.” This is not exactly apropos to Lam as he mixes some Buddhism and Confucianism into his worldview. The main point of angst among all three is a huge God-sized hole in their spirits which none of them fills with the Holy Spirit, Who brings true peace. Scoffers and universalists will snicker but the truth is there. What does it profit a man to gain the entire world through the particulars but universally lose his eternal soul?
February 17, 2025
Tu Lam’s "The Way of the Ronin" is a solid, one-time weekend read—gritty, insightful, but with enough rough edges to keep it from being truly great. It lands somewhere between a military memoir and a self-help book, though it never quite masters either genre.
His perseverance through Special Forces training is undeniably impressive, and when life starts to feel tough, it’s a humbling reminder that whatever you’re going through is nowhere near the tests special forces go through. The book also gives an interesting look at different SOF career paths, which is a highlight. But then there’s the way the book frames personal interactions. His childhood recollections and conversations with his wife read less like real human dialogue and more like staged reenactments (did he do this? Or was that an editors decision?)
The most compelling segments – his classified military operations – are frustratingly (but expectedly) sparse, while the business portion meanders through well-worn territory without offering any real tactical insight. It's not bad per se, just a paint-by-numbers success story that feels more like a highlight reel than a blueprint. The dialogue throughout, from childhood recollections to intimate conversations with his wife, reads with all the authenticity of a reality TV script – robotically dumbed down and missing the messy human elements that make conversations real. I’m not sure if this was his call, or his editors.
I kinda feel many of Tu’s challenges stemmed from a weird sense of machismo he has/had, and yet he seems to gloss over this. A good example is his questionable decision to take up MMA bouts while advancing his military career – a choice that predictably ended in injury and setback. His treatment of complex achievements, particularly in combat sports, lacks depth and detail, presenting victories without illuminating the process behind them.
As a hard marker, I give this a 6.5/10.
It's worth a read if you're military-curious, but don't expect the tactical precision of other Special Forces memoirs. I do really enjoy Tu’s personality and insights, and have since subscribed and consumed his YouTube content. His content there seems to provide me more value, so I’d recommend you check out.
His perseverance through Special Forces training is undeniably impressive, and when life starts to feel tough, it’s a humbling reminder that whatever you’re going through is nowhere near the tests special forces go through. The book also gives an interesting look at different SOF career paths, which is a highlight. But then there’s the way the book frames personal interactions. His childhood recollections and conversations with his wife read less like real human dialogue and more like staged reenactments (did he do this? Or was that an editors decision?)
The most compelling segments – his classified military operations – are frustratingly (but expectedly) sparse, while the business portion meanders through well-worn territory without offering any real tactical insight. It's not bad per se, just a paint-by-numbers success story that feels more like a highlight reel than a blueprint. The dialogue throughout, from childhood recollections to intimate conversations with his wife, reads with all the authenticity of a reality TV script – robotically dumbed down and missing the messy human elements that make conversations real. I’m not sure if this was his call, or his editors.
I kinda feel many of Tu’s challenges stemmed from a weird sense of machismo he has/had, and yet he seems to gloss over this. A good example is his questionable decision to take up MMA bouts while advancing his military career – a choice that predictably ended in injury and setback. His treatment of complex achievements, particularly in combat sports, lacks depth and detail, presenting victories without illuminating the process behind them.
As a hard marker, I give this a 6.5/10.
It's worth a read if you're military-curious, but don't expect the tactical precision of other Special Forces memoirs. I do really enjoy Tu’s personality and insights, and have since subscribed and consumed his YouTube content. His content there seems to provide me more value, so I’d recommend you check out.
June 20, 2025
77%
The way of rooning. Ironically, Roning are supposed to commit sepuku by most Laws, Because that's just how it was I. It's like, oh, you're wandering. Samurai, you have no master. You were dishonorable. Give it right now, So I think it's funny that he frequences that way. I'm like, dude, where's your sabuku Good? Don't do that. That's terrible. That's terrible for your insides. It's like a dripping out your guts or something. Anyways, Really enjoyed hearing about his historical Times with. Uh, the military is training is finding its way of life. It's BTSDI, ironically, because He's, like, oh yeah, sick of Alex, and he's talking about this crazy trip where he's Going spiritual through the Realms. And I'm like, dude, Yeah, that sounds like Some very bizarre psychedelics. Actually, Why are you like having full on visual Psychedelic hallucination for the most bizarre thing? Usually, you got like colors and Sound stuff, not A full-on freaking trip Through the underworld. That's like, bizarre, You know, But it goes to show. Yeah, people with PTSD frequently Do hallucinogenics because it does help them, And I am totally foreign. It helps, You know, And they, I mean, they don't really face addiction from it. So, that's fantastic. I really like to hearing about the war background And his life. It was a great historical retelling, especially for someone from the Rangers. I had a friend that was really trying to get into the Rangers as well, So this And there's some nice insight into what it was like in the military, the military life that I missed, Although I was told to go in the Air Force.
Because the Air Force will take better care of you.
The way of rooning. Ironically, Roning are supposed to commit sepuku by most Laws, Because that's just how it was I. It's like, oh, you're wandering. Samurai, you have no master. You were dishonorable. Give it right now, So I think it's funny that he frequences that way. I'm like, dude, where's your sabuku Good? Don't do that. That's terrible. That's terrible for your insides. It's like a dripping out your guts or something. Anyways, Really enjoyed hearing about his historical Times with. Uh, the military is training is finding its way of life. It's BTSDI, ironically, because He's, like, oh yeah, sick of Alex, and he's talking about this crazy trip where he's Going spiritual through the Realms. And I'm like, dude, Yeah, that sounds like Some very bizarre psychedelics. Actually, Why are you like having full on visual Psychedelic hallucination for the most bizarre thing? Usually, you got like colors and Sound stuff, not A full-on freaking trip Through the underworld. That's like, bizarre, You know, But it goes to show. Yeah, people with PTSD frequently Do hallucinogenics because it does help them, And I am totally foreign. It helps, You know, And they, I mean, they don't really face addiction from it. So, that's fantastic. I really like to hearing about the war background And his life. It was a great historical retelling, especially for someone from the Rangers. I had a friend that was really trying to get into the Rangers as well, So this And there's some nice insight into what it was like in the military, the military life that I missed, Although I was told to go in the Air Force.
Because the Air Force will take better care of you.
January 13, 2024
The Way of Ronin by Tu Lam is a unique and inspiring immigration story. Born in Vietnam in 1974, the height of the final violent campaigns of the Vietnam War, Mr. Lam and his family escaped Vietnam and eventually made their way to the US as refugees. With great eloquence, Mr. Lam describes the challenges of growing up as a refugee and the beautiful relationship that he has with his mother. Mr. Lam spent his formative years in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, living with his mother and stepfather who served in the army. Following in the footsteps of his inspiring father-in-law, Mr. Lam joined the US Armed Forces. Mr. Lam trains incredibly hard serving in the US Army Special Forces and receiving many honors as he traveled all over the world serving on several missions.
Mr. Tu's compelling story is bravely told in The Way of Ronin with honesty and audacity. I found many elements of the book to be incredibly inspiring. This book also led me to reflect upon the horrible consequences of war and violence from the Vietnam War to the many operations that Mr. Tu participated in during his time in the Special Forces. My reason for giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because I struggled with how violence was described. I am thankful and in awe of those who serve our country with dedication as Mr. Tu has. However, I really struggled with some of the details of violence. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mr. Tu's compelling story is bravely told in The Way of Ronin with honesty and audacity. I found many elements of the book to be incredibly inspiring. This book also led me to reflect upon the horrible consequences of war and violence from the Vietnam War to the many operations that Mr. Tu participated in during his time in the Special Forces. My reason for giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because I struggled with how violence was described. I am thankful and in awe of those who serve our country with dedication as Mr. Tu has. However, I really struggled with some of the details of violence. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2025
2 de 5.
Quería que me gustara más de lo que me gustó. The Way of the Ronin tiene momentos duros, y respeto mucho la historia de Tu Lam, pero la manera en que está escrito no me convenció. Las ideas están ahí, pero se siente más como una colección de frases motivacionales que un libro. Mucho se queda en lo superficial o muy ambiguo, y me la pasé esperando algo más profundo—algo que pudiera aplicar o que me hiciera reflexionar. Si buscas lecciones reales de alguien con experiencia de vida fuerte, puede que encuentres algo de valor. Pero para mí, esto hubiera sido mejor como un video, un podcast, o incluso una serie de posts… no un libro completo.
Respeto la historia. Pero la ejecución no funcionó para mí.
Quería que me gustara más de lo que me gustó. The Way of the Ronin tiene momentos duros, y respeto mucho la historia de Tu Lam, pero la manera en que está escrito no me convenció. Las ideas están ahí, pero se siente más como una colección de frases motivacionales que un libro. Mucho se queda en lo superficial o muy ambiguo, y me la pasé esperando algo más profundo—algo que pudiera aplicar o que me hiciera reflexionar. Si buscas lecciones reales de alguien con experiencia de vida fuerte, puede que encuentres algo de valor. Pero para mí, esto hubiera sido mejor como un video, un podcast, o incluso una serie de posts… no un libro completo.
Respeto la historia. Pero la ejecución no funcionó para mí.
November 21, 2025
Thank You to The Hive and HTP Books for this free book in exchange for my honest review of The Way of Ronin: Defying the Odds on Battlefields, in Business and in Life by Tu Lam.
Amazing!
This is a memoir about the author's life from his childhood where he was a Vietnamese refugee, his military career and more. The book had me hooked from the beginning and I could not stop turning the pages. It was written well and this was a good guide for livling a purpose-driven life. This was a powerful read and I am glad to have learned about Tu Lam. I loved this one a lot and would recommend it to any reader, especially to those who like nonfiction. Always remember that you can accomplish anything, even when the odds are seemingly insurmountable.
Amazing!
This is a memoir about the author's life from his childhood where he was a Vietnamese refugee, his military career and more. The book had me hooked from the beginning and I could not stop turning the pages. It was written well and this was a good guide for livling a purpose-driven life. This was a powerful read and I am glad to have learned about Tu Lam. I loved this one a lot and would recommend it to any reader, especially to those who like nonfiction. Always remember that you can accomplish anything, even when the odds are seemingly insurmountable.
June 11, 2024
Tu Lam's “The Way of Ronin” is a masterful exploration of the samurai spirit in modern times. With rich storytelling and deep insights, Lam seamlessly blends historical wisdom with contemporary application. His personal anecdotes and practical advice provide a compelling guide for anyone seeking to live a disciplined, purpose-driven life. This book is not just for martial arts enthusiasts but for anyone looking to embody the timeless principles of honor, resilience, and self-mastery. A must-read for those on a path of personal growth and excellence.
February 2, 2025
What is My Why?
The life journey of Tu Lam is my story, and your story. Through hard work and amazing steadfastness, for which as humans, we can all do if we want to, Tu describes how he got to his Why. He teaches how I can understand my Why in an easy way, using his study, his life and his results as proof. My inner monster and my outside appearance are one. The different voices and thoughts I have are me. And once those different notions and personalities make peace, only then can I be peaceful. Reading This book was a very energizing and insightful journey. Thanks, Tu.
The life journey of Tu Lam is my story, and your story. Through hard work and amazing steadfastness, for which as humans, we can all do if we want to, Tu describes how he got to his Why. He teaches how I can understand my Why in an easy way, using his study, his life and his results as proof. My inner monster and my outside appearance are one. The different voices and thoughts I have are me. And once those different notions and personalities make peace, only then can I be peaceful. Reading This book was a very energizing and insightful journey. Thanks, Tu.
May 30, 2024
"The Way of Ronin" by Tu Lam is a captivating story of resilience, personal mastery, and spiritual ascension. I firmly believe that many readers, especially those on a path of self-discovery, will gain valuable insights into new healing modalities and be inspired by this compelling tale of duty and honor. I couldn't put this book down from the moment I opened it and am forever grateful for the author's insights.
February 11, 2025
I went down a Sean Ryan rabbit hole which is where I first heard of Tu and I could not wait for the book to come out, I pre-ordered it and everything. Tu's story is amazing, he really embodies the meaning of being/becoming an American. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in leadership/military type books.
February 11, 2026
I don’t remember when I started to read this book, but I’m glad I did. His story is inspiring, went through so much from a child to a teen to a Green Beret. No matter what he faced he always pushed himself to be better and to fight his demons and gaining control of his mind, his, body and his spirit and soul.
June 15, 2024
Loved the book. Wish Tu read it himself. Having heard him in several of his training videos and in a couple interviews there is no way the narrator could have captured the message like the author would have.
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May 1, 2024Body, Mind & Spirit, Zen, Military Biographies & Autobiographies
June 20, 2024
Great read
It was an honor to receive life advice from an experienced warrior. I would recommend this book to anyone 100%.
It was an honor to receive life advice from an experienced warrior. I would recommend this book to anyone 100%.
June 20, 2024
I stumbled onto this memoir looking to learn more about Vietnamese culture. This book taught me so much more. Tu Lam is not only impressive but highly inspirational.
August 1, 2024
An eye-opening story of how PTSD affects soldiers and how hard it is to overcome and face the demons that come for us in the night for many veterans. Well worth the time investment to read.
September 8, 2024
Such a great book!!!
April 23, 2025
Not for a faint of heart indeed. Learned so much about his life, Vietnam war, identity, faith, career and relationships!
July 23, 2025
The Epilog was truly powerful.
August 1, 2025
I have read a number of these style memoirs, this one is unique.
August 14, 2025
Audiobook
September 22, 2025
Excellent memoir from a former Special Ops warrior (Green Beret).
He came from nothing and made a name for himself.
He came from nothing and made a name for himself.
October 25, 2025
love it.
January 15, 2026
Great story! I'm glad I took the time to get to know a bit about Tu Lam and his experience!
January 22, 2026
100% recommend. I don’t know how many times I said to my husband that we don’t respect these men enough for their sacrifices they made.
August 10, 2024
There are times when you a book calls out to you. This book is one of those books. In a time when I need an extra push, Ronin gave me the guidance I needed.
February 11, 2024
very well written memoir. i'm not sure i was necessarily the target audience of this one, but still it was well written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews