Modern Warriors Book Summary - Modern Warriors Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Modern Warriors summary

Pete Hegseth

Real Stories from Real Heroes

4.3 (24 ratings)
19 mins

Brief summary

Modern Warriors by Pete Hegseth is a tribute to combat veterans who've served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It explores their perspectives, experiences and challenges after returning home.

Table of Contents

    Modern Warriors
    Summary of 8 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 8

    Pete Hegseth wants to share the untold tales of US army veterans.

    Meet Pete Hegseth, a former US Army soldier. He had three deployments, to Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He earned two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his service.

    When Hegseth hung up his army boots in 2006, he began working for Vets For Freedom – the largest conservative veterans’ organization in the United States. 

    In 2014 he landed a job at Fox News as a contributor, hosting his own morning show called Fox & Friends, and later created a televised special called Modern Warriors. His aim was to tell the stories of veterans who had left their families and friends to fight for their country.

    The key message here is: Pete Hegseth wants to share the untold tales of US army veterans.

    Before he came up with the idea for Modern Warriors, Hegseth was convinced that Americans just didn’t care about the lives of soldiers. He thought that regular people weren’t really interested in hearing about war and suffering. 

    But when he started covering war topics on his show Fox & Friends, he realized he’d been wrong about the public. Their reactions to discussions about soldiers and combat were always positive. It showed him that Americans did want to hear the stories of men and women in service – especially those who had been involved in combat since 9/11.

    The thing is, soldiers’ stories don’t end when they finish service. Often, soldiers come home with hopes, dreams, and the scars of war. And they struggle in transitioning back to civilian life.

    For example, many return home wounded – not just physically, but psychologically, too. Many wrestle with post-traumatic stress. Some contemplate, or even commit, suicide. 

    This is why Hegseth encourages soldiers to share their stories. He thinks it’s imperative for veterans to engage in honest conversations about their experiences, to expose the realities of bloody combat and the grief of losing your closest friends.

    In doing so, soldiers can figure out what all the fighting meant to them – and to their country. It can also offer them ways to move forward.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Modern Warriors?

    Key ideas in Modern Warriors

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Modern Warriors about?

    Modern Warriors (2020) is a collection of gut-wrenching yet heartfelt stories about US war veterans’ years in service. These tales expose the harsh realities of combat, as well as the cherished moments of love and companionship that saw these soldiers through the hardest times.

    Modern Warriors Review

    Modern Warriors (2019) by Pete Hegseth offers an insightful and engaging exploration of the experiences and sacrifices of American veterans. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • The book provides vivid, firsthand accounts of veterans' personal journeys, offering a deep understanding of their courage and resilience.
    • Through interviews and research, Hegseth sheds light on the challenges faced by veterans reintegrating into civilian life, fostering empathy and understanding.
    • The book explores the diversity of military experiences, encompassing various branches, ranks, and deployments, making it a comprehensive and well-rounded portrayal of modern American warriors.

    Best quote from Modern Warriors

    Despite the toll being taken on us, we never lost our humanity.

    —Pete Hegseth
    example alt text

    Who should read Modern Warriors?

    • People in, or soon to be in, the armed forces
    • Anyone seeking a glimpse into the lives of modern-day soldiers
    • People interested in modern wars fought by US soldiers

    About the Author

    Pete Hegseth is the cohost of American morning television show FOX & Friends Weekend, and the author of the New York Times bestseller American Crusade (2020) as well as In the Arena (2017). A former infantry officer in the Army National Guard, Hegseth is a veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. He holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his service overseas.

    Categories with Modern Warriors

    Book summaries like Modern Warriors

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    30 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Modern Warriors FAQs 

    What is the main message of Modern Warriors?

    Modern Warriors explores the mindset and experiences of servicemen and women, offering insight into their lives and challenges.

    How long does it take to read Modern Warriors?

    The reading time for Modern Warriors varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Modern Warriors a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Modern Warriors is a captivating read that sheds light on the realities of military service and the resilience of those who serve.

    Who is the author of Modern Warriors?

    Modern Warriors is written by Pete Hegseth.

    What to read after Modern Warriors?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Modern Warriors, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
    • The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
    • You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
    • Level Up by Rob Dial
    • Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
    • The Iliad by Homer
    • The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han
    • Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink
    • The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron
    • You Will Own Nothing by Carol Roth