The Purposeful Warrior - by Jocelyn Benson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a roadmap for shattering the status quo and standing up for what's right across our lives, our communities, and our country. AN OPEN FIELD BOOK FROM MARIA SHRIVER. During the 2020 presidential election, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson oversaw the highest turnout and most secure election in the state's history. But she was thrust onto the national stage when then-President Donald Trump falsely and publicly accused her of rigging votes. Soon after, armed protesters appeared at Benson's house, threatening her safety and that of her husband and young son. The intimidation did not work. Not only did Benson refuse to back down, she spoke out even louder, ultimately helping to expose the nationally coordinated effort to hinder the election. Now in The Purposeful Warrior, Benson invites us to channel our fears and frustrations into standing up for integrity and truth--not only for ourselves, but for our communities and our nation. Becoming a Purposeful Warrior means knowing that what affects one person affects us all. It means having zero tolerance for bullies and fighting for the truth, even when it hurts. It means navigating life with grit and grace, challenging your own assumptions, and allowing your anger to point you toward your purpose. Introducing the Purposeful Warrior principles, Benson shares powerful stories from her rise in politics--from her time investigating domestic terrorist cells in Alabama, to becoming the youngest woman to lead a top 100 law school in the U.S., to launching a coalition of major sports leagues to advance equality with the owner of the Miami Dolphins, to becoming one of only a handful of women to complete the Boston Marathon while more than eight months pregnant--as well as those of paradigm-shifters throughout history, business leaders, sports icons, and everyday heroes who embody what it means to be a Purposeful Warrior. In times of intense conflict and anxiety, the world wants us to believe we're powerless to make a difference. But we're not powerless; our purpose is simply waiting to be unleashed"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

From Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a road map for shattering the status quo and standing up for ourselves, our communities, and our country.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

AN OPEN FIELD BOOK FROM MARIA SHRIVER

As Michigan's Secretary of State and chief election official, Jocelyn Benson has overseen several of the highest turnout, most secure elections in the state's history. But her life changed one snowy evening in December 2020 when armed protesters descended onto her doorstep, threatening her family. Her only crime: certifying a fair and accurate Presidential election in which the protesters' preferred candidate - Donald Trump - did not win. Benson refused to back down. She stood her ground, spoke out louder, and helped expose and defeat a coordinated national effort to overturn the election.

In The Purposeful Warrior, Benson shows us how to turn fear and frustration into a fight for integrity and truth. She shares powerful stories from her rise in politics--investigating domestic terrorist cells, becoming the youngest woman in U.S. history to lead a top 100 law school, and running the Boston Marathon while more than eight months pregnant--as well as those of paradigm-shifters throughout history, to demonstrate how we can be warriors for ourselves and for each other. It starts when we stand up for others, call out bullies, raise our voices, and work with grace and grit to ensure truth, integrity, fairness and justice prevail - even when it is difficult, risky, and the stakes are high.

In times of intense conflict and anxiety it's easy to believe we are powerless to make a difference. But we're not. We are purposeful warriors. And we all have the power to define a better world.

Review Quotes

"Jocelyn Benson's story offers an inspiring perspective on living a purposeful life. She espouses the importance of integrity, decency, and honesty, all values that we need in great supply in order to persevere in turbulent times." - Hillary Rodham Clinton

"Jocelyn Benson's The Purposeful Warrior is a testament to the power of standing up for truth and for each other. An inspiring read for anyone looking to make a positive impact." - Maria Shriver

"Any one item on Jocelyn's resumé is worth writing a book about, but her combined experiences so eloquently laid out is a master class on badassery." - John Stamos

"This book shows us not only how to fight against something but, more importantly, how to fight for something. In doing so, Jocelyn Benson models a clear, effective and even joyful way of life. She shares the challenges (and threats) leveled at her and walks us through how she resisted collapse and instead found a path that brought her enough strength and purpose to last a lifetime. I want what she has and this book is helping me get there."
- Helen Hunt

"Jocelyn Benson is an exceptional, courageous leader--principled and confident about her own views while open to embracing the views of others and empowering them to be leaders, too. In my years working with her, I have always appreciated her honesty, integrity and simple decency, her convictions about protecting everyone's rights and freedom, her willingness to take risks to secure those rights and her determination to find common ground in our ever more diverse communities. Jocelyn recognizes in others the purposeful warrior spirit, and in this book she encourages us all to fight with skill and resilience for principles and initiatives that matter." - Paul Tagliabue, Former Commissioner of the NFL (1989-2006)

"Our democracy is strong today because of purposeful warriors like Jocelyn Benson who are willing to stand up to bullies, no matter how powerful, in service of what is true, just, and right. This book helps us all consider our place in that work and commit ourselves to making our country a better, safer, equal place for all." - Dr. Martin Luther King, III

"The Purposeful Warrior is a beacon of hope and resilience, urging us all to fight for what is right. Jocelyn Benson's journey of courage and integrity will resonate with readers everywhere." - Adam Kinzinger, former United States representative

"Jocelyn Benson has written the book we all need right now. Weaving her extraordinary experiences and the stories of other courageous citizens into an inspired call to action, The Purposeful Warrior is a riveting book full of heart and hope that will invigorate every reader." -Kevin Kwan, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians

"Jocelyn Benson wrote The Purposeful Warrior at the exact time we needed it. Benson highlights the threat of staying silent when the world needs your voice and the importance of finding purpose in rage. She reminds us we are all warriors if we choose to be, but with partners in the struggle, an individual can become a force." - Leigh McGowan, PoliticsGirl

"Jocelyn Benson turns personal threat into a rallying cry for truth and democracy. A powerful memoir for these pivotal times." - The Sunday Paper

About the Author

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan's Secretary of State. She ascended into the national spotlight during the 2020 election cycle as one of the "Women from Michigan", a group who led the effort to successfully stymy Donald Trump's failed attempts to overturn the valid and accurate results of the 2020 presidential election. She was subsequently featured on the cover of Time and was honored with both the JFK Profile in Courage award and the Presidential Citizens Medal.