Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy: Insights on the Morality of Military Service is published in the United States and the United Kingdom by Casemate Publishers. It is available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats from all major booksellers. The paperback is best; I do not recommend the audiobook.
It is available in-store at most Barnes and Noble locations– check here for availability.
REVIEWS
U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Review
Sadler’s Honest Book Reviews (Video)
“From the halls of our U.S. military academies to the crucible of command, Stoicism has long shaped the character of America’s finest military leaders. In Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, Commander Spears advances this tradition with clarity and resolve—building on Admiral Stockdale’s legacy to deliver a field manual for warrior-scholars. For those who strive to lead with courage, endure with purpose, and serve with integrity, this is a must read.”
Vice Admiral (Ret) Joe Leidig, former Deputy Commander U.S. Africa Command and USNA Commandant of Midshipmen
“William C. Spears presents a compelling case for Stoicism as the moral framework warriors need. I saw this firsthand during my service in the Marine Corps, at the CIA, and later as a senior official at the Pentagon. The core principles of Stoicism—discipline, resilience, knowing what matters—apply just as much on the battlefield as they do in the Situation Room at the White House. This is not just theory—it’s a philosophy tested under pressure, and meant for those whose decisions have consequences measured in lives.”
Michael “Mick” Mulroy, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East and senior fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center
“This volume represents a unique and masterful blend of military perspective and scholarly gravitas in addressing the variety and range of Stoic thought, both historical and contemporary. In addition to the fidelity to the philosophical traditions and literature, the book addresses and argues for a way to conceptualize and apply these ideas within a military perspective that goes beyond the usual popular culture tropes and surface treatments. Highly recommended for both scholars and military practitioners, and those who see themselves as both.”
Dr. Pauline M. Shanks Kaurin, Stockdale Chair in Professional Military Ethics, College of Leadership and Ethics, U.S. Naval War College
“William C. Spears performs the triple service of demonstrating that ancient classics are classics precisely because they can be read to good advantage centuries or even millennia after they were written, that Stoicism offers much to persons in search of such value in professional life, and that members of the profession of arms in particular owe it to themselves and to those they lead to think deeply about their vocation.”
Dr. John Mark Mattox, U.S. National War College Chair in Leadership, Character, and Ethics
“Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy offers today’s military a framework for thinking about the warrior ethos, how it works, and why it matters that it works on a philosophical level. U.S. Navy Commander William C. Spears challenges misconceptions about modern warriors, bridging ancient Stoic thought with contemporary ideas about moral responsibility and just war theory to provide a balanced perspective on the morality of modern warfare.”
Donald J. Robertson, best-selling author of “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor”
“As a Marine Corps officer who took the Naval War College’s moral philosophy course designed by Admiral Stockdale, taught on his legacy at the Naval Academy, and practiced Stoicism through multiple combat deployments, I found Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy to be a powerful and timely work. William Spears bridges ancient wisdom with the realities of military life, offering a clear, compelling case for Stoicism as the warrior’s philosophy. This book belongs on every leader’s shelf.”
Lt. Col. Thomas Schueman, USMC, best-selling author of “Always Faithful”
“This book should be a standard text at our war colleges, service academies, for ROTC and for anyone wanting to get beyond a surface level understanding of Stoicism as applied to the profession of arms. This is truly an important and engaging work of scholarship that must be taken into account.”
Dr. Shaun Baker, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, United States Naval Academy
William C. Spears 