Once a Warrior

How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home

By: Jake Wood

Narrated by: Jake Wood

"The book that America needs right now." (Tom Brokaw, journalist and author of The Greatest Generation)

"Jake Wood offers one of the most soaring definitions of service I've ever seen." (Maria Shriver, award-winning journalist and author of I've Been Thinking)

From Marine sniper Jake Wood, a riveting memoir of leading over 100,000 veterans to a life of renewed service, volunteering to battle, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, pandemics, and civil wars, and inspiring onlookers as their unique military training saved lives and rebuilt our country.

When Jake Wood arrived in the States after two grueling tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he watched his unit lose more men to suicide than to enemy hands overseas. Reeling, Jake looked for a way to direct their restlessness towards a new mission - and put their formidable skills to good use. When an earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, Jake had his answer. He convinced several fellow veterans to join him on a ragtag mission to provide desperately needed aid. Despite the high stakes, they were able to untangle complex problems quickly and keep calm under pressure.

In this raw, adrenaline-filled narrative, Jake recounts, how, over the past 10 years, he's built the disaster response organization Team Rubicon, and seen the work provide a lifeline back to purpose for the heroes among us. Not only do these intrepid volunteers race against the clock to aid communities after Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Harvey, COVID-19, and hundreds of other disasters they also fight for something just as important - each other.

Once a Warrior provides a soaring look at what our veterans are capable of - and what might become of America's next greatest generation.

©2020 Jake Wood (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Once A Warrior is the book that America needs right now. Jake Wood’s life-changing experience is a reminder of the greatness of the American spirit and how, now more than ever, we need to activate that spirit for the common good."

—Tom Brokaw, journalist and author of The Greatest Generation

"One veteran’s call to action can change the world. A must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the struggles and opportunities that our warriors experience upon returning from combat.”

—Marcus Luttrell, author of Lone Survivor

"Once you taste the joy and fulfillment that comes from service, you’ll want to continue to serve, and Jake Wood proves it. Once A Warrior will inspire you to want to be a better human being."

—Simon Sinek, optimist and author of Start with Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game

Wonderfully inspirational

Very impressive tale of a man just trying to be a good human and patriot, in his own words. Inspiring and a message of service to community. Great people doing great things.

Wonderful

Highly recommend this book. It is so wonderful. I cried and laughed, I had not heard of Team Rubicon and will make it on my list of gifts.

A great story!!

Absolutely loved hearing Jake telling us his story in his own words and even better hearing it in his own voice. Great book!! I am a greyshirt and love what Jake and TR stands for.

Thank you

Thanks for sharing your story brother, and thank you for all you do .
Semper Fi

Insightful, inspirational and honest.

I will be sharing and spreading the word! Jake tells his story in his most articulate and colorful fashion.

Heartfelt and impactful

This was a great book. It was not only the story of how team Rubicon got started, but also about some of the challenges with military to civilian transition. Jake did a great job with narration and telling his story. Team Rubicon is a great organization that is helping so many. Thanks for writing this book

If only we all read this book

This is so much more than a book about combat and guns. The story he tells about people is the core to the true meaningful life and values. I will use the lessons he shares for free that are worth so much.

Riveting

This is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Intensity and empathy through out. I absolutely loved it. Highly recommend.

Inspirational and real!

I loved some stories in this book, and I hated some. At the end, my chest swelled, my eyes watered, and my heart was full and overflowing with inspiration!

Absolutely Brilliant!

It was hard to take a break from this book. It’s a captivating look at the inside perspective of the US soldier during battle. Additionally it really clued me in on the generosity and importance of Team Rubicon. I highly recommend this to anyone!