Self-Help books in order

The complete reading order for Dan Millman's self-help books, from No Ordinary Moments (1992) to The Four Purposes of Life (2016).

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 No Ordinary Moments 1992 Dan Millman Buy
2 The Life You Were Born to Live 1993 Dan Millman Buy
3 The Inner Athlete 1994 Dan Millman Buy
4 Practical Wisdom 1995 Dan Millman Buy
5 Body Mind Mastery 1999 Dan Millman Buy
6 Everyday Enlightenment 1999 Dan Millman Buy
7 Living on Purpose 2000 Dan Millman Buy
8 Way of the Peaceful Warrior 2000 Dan Millman Buy
9 Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior 2004 Dan Millman Buy
10 The Twelve Gateways to Freedom 2006 Dan Millman Buy
11 Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior 2007 Dan Millman Buy
12 Bridge Between Worlds 2009 Dan Millman Buy
13 The Creative Compass 2013 Dan Millman Buy
14 The Four Purposes of Life 2016 Dan Millman Buy

Dan Millman’s self-help books span over two decades of writing about personal development, body-mind training, and spiritual growth. Millman, a former world champion gymnast and coach, brings an athlete’s perspective to topics that other self-help authors often treat in purely abstract terms. His first book in this collection, No Ordinary Moments (1992), set the tone for what followed: practical advice rooted in real physical and mental discipline.

The series includes both narrative and instructional works. Way of the Peaceful Warrior and Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior tell a story based on Millman’s own life, while books like Body Mind Mastery, The Life You Were Born to Live, and The Four Purposes of Life are more direct guides. Readers looking for athletic and performance advice will find it in the earlier titles, while the later books lean more toward questions of meaning and purpose. Across all 14 books, Millman keeps his writing grounded and straightforward, drawing on his background as a gymnast and coach rather than relying on vague inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Dan Millman book to start with?

Way of the Peaceful Warrior is the best starting point. It is his most popular and accessible book, telling a semi-autobiographical story about a young gymnast and his mentor. From there, Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior continues the story, while The Life You Were Born to Live and Body Mind Mastery are strong standalone reads.

Do you need to read Dan Millman's books in order?

Not necessarily. Way of the Peaceful Warrior and its sequel Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior should be read in sequence, but most of the other books stand on their own. Each one covers a different topic, so you can pick based on what interests you most, whether that is athletic training, life purpose, or spiritual practice.

How many books are in Dan Millman's self-help series?

There are 1 books in the Self-Help series, published in 2000.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Privacy Policy