A knight, fearing he may not return from battle, writes a letter to his children in an attempt to leave a record of all he knows. In a series of ruminations on solitude, humility, forgiveness, honesty, courage, grace, pride, and patience, he draws on the ancient teachings of Eastern and Western philosophy, and on the great spiritual and political writings of our time. His intent: to give his children a compass for a journey they will have to make alone, a short guide to what gives life meaning and beauty.
Selected for Common Reading at the following colleges and universities:
Central Methodist University Southern Virginia University
"A guide for living an upright and noble life." —The New Yorker
"Hawke (Ash Wednesday) pens a heartwarming, medieval tale on ethics . . . an easy and endearing read, perfect for young and old children alike." —Publishers Weekly
"Philosophy lovers will enjoy the Eastern and Western philosophical musings, but everyone will enjoy the touching storyline." —Metro
"Hawke's book of wisdom declaring life to be a gift should be pondered." —Booklist
"Entertaining and insightful." —The Buffalo News
"A deliciously digestible read. . . . Read this book. You’ll be reminded of just how powerful simple gestures can be when they’re fueled by passion and purpose." —The Free Lance-Star
A four-time Academy Award nominee, twice for writing and twice for acting, ETHAN HAWKE has starred in the films Dead Poets Society, Reality Bites, Gattaca, and Training Day, as well as Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy and Boyhood. He is the author of Rules for a Knight, The Hottest State, and Ash Wednesday. He lives in Brooklyn with his four children and his wife.
A knight, fearing he may not return from battle, writes a letter to his children in an attempt to leave a record of all he knows. In a series of ruminations on solitude, humility, forgiveness, honesty, courage, grace, pride, and patience, he draws on the ancient teachings of Eastern and Western philosophy, and on the great spiritual and political writings of our time. His intent: to give his children a compass for a journey they will have to make alone, a short guide to what gives life meaning and beauty.
Selected for Common Reading at the following colleges and universities:
Central Methodist University Southern Virginia University
Reviews
"A guide for living an upright and noble life." —The New Yorker
"Hawke (Ash Wednesday) pens a heartwarming, medieval tale on ethics . . . an easy and endearing read, perfect for young and old children alike." —Publishers Weekly
"Philosophy lovers will enjoy the Eastern and Western philosophical musings, but everyone will enjoy the touching storyline." —Metro
"Hawke's book of wisdom declaring life to be a gift should be pondered." —Booklist
"Entertaining and insightful." —The Buffalo News
"A deliciously digestible read. . . . Read this book. You’ll be reminded of just how powerful simple gestures can be when they’re fueled by passion and purpose." —The Free Lance-Star
A four-time Academy Award nominee, twice for writing and twice for acting, ETHAN HAWKE has starred in the films Dead Poets Society, Reality Bites, Gattaca, and Training Day, as well as Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy and Boyhood. He is the author of Rules for a Knight, The Hottest State, and Ash Wednesday. He lives in Brooklyn with his four children and his wife.
