Blog Archives
What if Anger Is the Answer?: A Harvard Marine’s Guide to Shaping Aggression
Michael LeBlanc’s What if Anger Is the Answer? is part war memoir, part philosophy class, part letter from a dad trying to raise a tough and decent son. He traces his path from working-class Ohio kid to classics student to Marine officer in Afghanistan, then out into business and family life. Along the way, he argues that anger is not a flaw to be erased but a force that can be trained, like a lion in the soul, and used for courage, loyalty, and leadership. The book moves through four stages of life and work, from the young man against the world, to learning to deal with friends and enemies, to sliding into cynicism, and finally to building something good in a broken world, all framed by tender letters to his son about what it means to become a man.
I found the writing surprisingly warm and funny for a book built around anger. The opening letter to his son hooked me right away, because it feels like a real dad talking late at night at the kitchen table, not a brand trying to build a “mindset.” You get sharp scenes from Afghanistan that feel chaotic and scary without turning into a stunt show, mixed with campus memories, office politics, and family moments. The stories land hard, then he undercuts the tension with a dry joke, so I kept getting this mix of a lump in my throat and a smirk. At times, the shifts in setting come fast, and the book jumps from a firefight to Aristotle to a boardroom, which can feel a bit jagged, but that roughness also matches the theme. This is a life lived out of order, then stitched together later, and the prose keeps that raw edge.
When he talks about anger that stands up for a friend, or keeps a leader calm and focused when everyone else panics, I felt a real jolt of recognition. The sections on how we slide from young idealism into adult cynicism, then either stay bitter or fight our way through it, hit me hard. I liked how he uses Plato, Aristotle, and Shakespeare’s Prince Hal not as decorations but as case studies in what it means to be warlike without becoming a brute, to be clever without turning into a fox who believes in nothing. Some of his talk about becoming a man leans on combat, competition, and traditional roles.
I felt moved by his honesty about his own screwups and by the way he lets his son see the ugly parts of his story, not just the medal-ready moments. The retrospective section near the end, where he gathers short lessons on cynicism, loyalty, and humor, reads like notes in the margins of his life, and I liked that quiet tone after so many loud scenes.
I would recommend What if Anger Is the Answer? to readers who enjoy books that mix boots-on-the-ground stories with old school ideas, especially men wrestling with questions of purpose, ambition, and how to handle their own temper. It will speak to veterans, to aspiring leaders, to fans of the Great Books, and to parents who want more than soft platitudes for their kids. If you are willing to sit with a book that argues with our culture, and if you are curious about how anger might be turned from something shameful into something disciplined and brave, this is a bold and thought-provoking read.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0FXBC5XKM
Dangerous Choices
In Riding the White Bull, you share the experiences that shaped your life, from early fraternity politics to the early days of your military training. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book mattered to me because it traces the experiences that shaped my life, from fraternity politics and a reckless rodeo bet to the early days of Navy training. Those moments were not just adventures. They were tests. They forced me to confront fear, pride, ego, and responsibility. They forced me to recognize how lucky I am to have survived despite my sometimes dangerous choices.
I came to see that courage is not loud or theatrical. It grows quietly through experience, through mistakes, and through pushing past hesitation. I wanted to show how those early trials, whether on a bull in a dusty arena or under pressure in uniform, formed the foundation for the man I became. If readers feel as though they are sitting beside me while the story unfolds, then I have done what I set out to do.
I also wanted a little snapshot in time. A picture of a vanished era in American life, when there were no freeways and a couple of college boys could easily hitchhike across the West, when it was still possible for a diligent student to work his or her way through school by doing part-time jobs. Something that my great-great-grandchildren could read and understand something about their ancestor.
Is there anything you now wish you had included in your book?
There are always stories that stay behind when you close the manuscript. I sometimes wish I had given more space to the quieter moments, the people who influenced me without fanfare, the small decisions that changed the course of things in ways I only understood years later.
I also left out stories from my early growing-up years in rural Texas and my law practice in El Paso, during which I represented some outlandish clients and was compelled by court appointments to represent some truly evil people. I also have stories about teaching law at a major university. I set aside those stories for the sake of focus. Some of those memories still tug at me. Perhaps they belong in another volume.
What advice would you give someone considering sharing their memoir with readers?
Write honestly. Not just about what happened, but about what it meant to you. Facts alone do not carry a story. What stays with readers is the reckoning. And don’t back away from stories that show your own mistakes and vulnerability. That is, do not try make yourself the hero. The moments of doubt, embarrassment, and fear are often the most compelling. If you are willing to look at yourself without flinching, readers will respond to that.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Riding the White Bull?
I hope readers come away with the understanding that courage is steadiness under pressure. It is not bravado. It is not braggadocio. It is the decision to stay present and force yourself to remain calm when everything in you wants to bolt.
Life will hand everyone a version of the white bull. The question is not whether fear appears. It is whether you meet it, learn from it, and walk away stronger and wiser than before. If the book encourages someone to face their own challenge with a little more resolve, that is enough for me.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
A Tribute and Legacy
Rainbow of Promise follows the budding romance between a confident and vivacious young woman and a soft-spoken Southern gentleman in the middle of WWII. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My parents, Sadina and W.E., had wonderful chemistry. I wrote the story as a tribute to them as well as a legacy for my family. It’s more of a memoir than historical fiction; it’s as true and factual as I could write it.
There is so much to be said about love in this book. What do you hope your readers take away from your story?
These two had a lot in common and a lot that wasn’t. They became a great team out of loyalty, dedication, romance, desire, and understood unconditional love. I consider them my greatest role models in all that they portrayed.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
W.E. was such a romantic; Sadina was exuberantly fun as well as practical and frugal. When W.E. surprised her with yellow roses and gifts of all sorts, her life lit up like a child at Christmas. My favorite surprise was when he gave her the beautiful soft silky pink robe. Chapter 14. I still have her robe hanging in my closet.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m writing the story of my Volga German grandparents who emigrated from Kutter, Russia, in 1913. My grandmother faced many tragedies, including WWI and II, each sadness garnering strength. I plan to publish the book in 2026 during March–The Month of Strong Women.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Rainbow of Promise: A World War II Romance
Rainbow of Promise is a heartfelt, old-fashioned love story set in the midst of World War II, following the budding romance between Sadina “Sadie” Wagner, a confident and vivacious young woman, and W.E. “Bill” Walraven, a soft-spoken Southern gentleman stationed in Enid, Oklahoma. The story unfolds slowly but sweetly, capturing all the nervous first encounters, jitterbug dances, longing glances, and yes, plenty of sizzling chemistry. It’s nostalgic in all the best ways—like slipping into a vintage movie where the world is complicated, but love is pure.
What stood out to me first was the writing style. It’s simple but rich with period detail and genuine emotion. The dialogue pops without trying too hard, and there’s this easy rhythm to the prose that makes the whole book feel like you’re listening to someone tell a story.
Now, Sadie. She’s a force. Flirty but grounded, fun but not flaky. She’s bold enough to joke about being picked up on a street corner and sweet enough to bring a man to his knees with just a smile. Her scenes with W.E. practically crackle with energy, especially their first dance. I appreciated that the author gave her complexity—she’s not just waiting around for a man; she’s got her own hobbies and she’s protective of her independence. There’s a particularly lovely scene where Sadie turns down an impromptu dinner date with W.E. because of a club meeting—and you can just feel the tension. Her wanting to say yes. His quiet heartbreak. That push-pull dynamic is so well done.
And then there’s W.E.—Bill. This man is a walking romance novel. Polite, a little shy, smells like Old Spice, and dances like a dream. But he’s not just charming. The author gives us these lovely inner monologues where he questions whether he’s “good enough” for Sadie, whether it’s right to fall in love with war looming overhead. That kind of vulnerability made him real for me. And when he takes her to dinner at the Skirvin Hotel and orders champagne and lobster I swooned a little. But my favorite part was the way he watched her dance. That kind of longing—that ache—you can’t fake that in writing.
This book is for readers who love slow-burn, tender romance with real emotional stakes. It’s for anyone who’s ever believed in fate or had their heart flip over a well-timed glance. It might be a little idealistic at times but that’s kind of the point. Life is hard. War is brutal. But falling in love—falling madly in love—makes all of it worth it. I’d recommend Rainbow of Promise to fans of historical romance, lovers of the 1940s vibe, or anyone just needing a little hope and heart right now.
Pages: 369 | ASIN : B08BRBZMKY
A Mission Without Borders: Why a Father and Son Risked it All for the People of Ukraine
Fatherhood in literature often delves into the emotional and moral challenges that define paternal relationships, and these complexities are intensified during times of war. A Mission Without Borders by Chad Robichaux offers a poignant exploration of this theme, recounting the author’s response to God’s call during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alongside his son, Hunter, a fellow Marine, Chad leads a team of elite veterans on seven humanitarian missions. As they navigate the chaos and devastation of war, Chad’s faith deepens, learning to trust God with both his son’s safety and the purpose of their mission. The book captures the profound impact of the conflict on everyday Ukrainians, the crucial role of the Ukrainian church, and the unbreakable bond that forms between father and son in the face of adversity. Courage, hope, and selflessness are the central pillars of this inspiring narrative.
This book offers a raw and personal glimpse into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, told through the lens of a father and son confronting the horrors of war together. Chad’s steadfast faith, fueled by a divine sense of duty, forms the core of the story. One of the most powerful themes is the evolution of fatherhood, showing how a bond can be both tested and strengthened under extreme circumstances. Chad’s partnership with Hunter, as they face peril side by side, brings an emotional intensity to the story, revealing how the trials of war forge resilience and deepen relationships. Yet, A Mission Without Borders goes beyond the battlefield. It humanizes the conflict by portraying the struggles of ordinary Ukrainians, shedding light on the devastating toll war takes on daily life. One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its depiction of the Ukrainian church, emphasizing its pivotal role in resisting oppression and providing a beacon of hope amidst despair. Chad’s reflections on the moral imperative to step beyond comfort zones and help strangers—driven by compassion and faith—resonate powerfully throughout the narrative.
While the book is rich in heart and authenticity. For those drawn to stories of faith, family, and courage in the face of adversity, A Mission Without Borders is an inspiring and compelling read.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B0CMQ6D568
