I never thought I'd write this book. I even mention this in the preface:

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"In truth, I’m a novelist and rarely publish nonfiction, let alone self-improvement books. I’ve penned a slew of novels, including my collaboration with Tom Clancy on the New York Times #1 bestseller Against All Enemies. I write political action thrillers, along with science fiction and fantasy. I also write film and TV scripts and video game narratives. I remind friends to “Get to da Choppa!” which in our parlance means “do hard things.”

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So yes, I've never positioned myself as a self-care guy, and yet I've spent nearly 30 years as a college professor mentoring men at all stages of life. I thought I only fixed commas, but over the years, I've understood that it's much more than that.

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In recent years, I've witnessed a growing crisis of disconnection and confusion as many men struggle to navigate conflicting messages about masculinity, success, relationships, and self-worth. And so with the great encouragement of my wife, I began to write about my experiences with an aim toward helping others. Here's my pitch:

 

Part memoir and part self-care guide, Highest Peak takes readers on a journey through personal stories, practical exercises, hard-earned lessons, and research-backed insights designed to help them rediscover their purpose and develop the habits, mindset, and resilience needed to thrive. The goal is not to become a perfect man but an elevated one—ascending with purpose, guided by values, and committed to continual growth.

 

Because the mountains are not in the way.

 

They ARE the way.