The Way Forward

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

“The Way Forward will help every reader master their own challenges—this is a must-read book!” —Admiral Bill McRaven, U.S. Navy (Retired) and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Make Your Bed

American Sniper meets Make Your Bed in these life lessons from decorated United States service members and New York Times bestselling authors Robert O’Neill and Dakota Meyer—an in-depth, fearless, and ultimately redemptive account of what it takes to survive and thrive on battlefields from Afghanistan and Iraq to our daily lives, and how the perils of war help us hold onto our humanity.

Rob O’Neill and Dakota Meyer are two of the most decorated and recognized US service members: O’Neill killed the world’s most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, and Meyer was the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. But beyond their actions and courage in combat, O’Neill and Meyer also have much in common in civilian life: they are both sought-after public speakers, advocates for veterans, and share a non-PC sense of humor. Combining the best of military memoirs and straight-talking self-help, The Way Forward alternates between O’Neill’s and Meyer’s perspectives, looking back with humor at even the darkest war stories, and sharing lessons they learned along the way.

The Way Forward presents O’Neill and Meyer’s philosophy in combat and life. This isn’t a book about the glory of war and combat, but one about facing your enemies, some who are flesh and blood and some that are not: Your thoughts. Your doubts. Your boredom and your regrets. From Rob’s dogged repetition at the free throw line of his childhood basketball court to Dakota’s pursuit of EMT and firefighter credentials to aid accident victims, these two American heroes turn their experiences into valuable lessons for every reader.

Gritty and down-to-earth, O’Neill and Meyer tell their stories with candor and vulnerability to help readers handle stress, tackle their biggest obstacles, and exceed their expectations of themselves, while keeping life’s battles in perspective with a sense of humor.

Drawing from hundreds of missions and the hardest lessons of their lives, O’Neill and Meyer share their unfiltered framework for winning your own battles:

Front Toward Enemy Philosophy: Learn the simple, powerful mindset—inspired by the instructions on a Claymore mine—that America’s top operators use to confront any obstacle, from combatants to self-doubt. Lessons from Special Operations: Go inside the missions that shaped O’Neill and Meyer, from the hunt for Osama bin Laden to the firefight that earned the Medal of Honor, and discover the principles forged in the crucible of combat. Overcoming Adversity: A raw, no-BS guide to turning trauma into strength, handling extreme stress, and finding purpose after the fight is over. Dual-Perspective Storytelling: Experience the unfiltered humor and hard-won wisdom of two legendary warriors as a Navy SEAL and a Marine share their alternating, candid accounts of life on and off the battlefield.