About Me:No stranger to accomplishment, my past is one filled with accolades, awards and a unique range of experiences. I'm an Eagle Scout, a Grammy Award winner, I've performed in Carnegie Hall, studied and taught martial arts for several years, and have travelled much of the US, and several foreign countries. I'm currently a college student and aspiring author.
Music:Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, Taking Back Sunday, Incubus, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Our Lady Peace, Jack Johnson, John Mayer (sometimes), Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Hoobastank, Yellowcard, Reliant K
Movies:OLD STUFF: The Manchurian Candidate, Any James Bond Movie (Except for that dreadful Lazenby film...), The Seven Samurai, Star Wars 4-6, Superman: The Movie, The Great Escape, Etc.
CURRENT: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, Batman Begins, X-Men, X2, House of Flying Daggers, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Ong-Bak, Etc.
TV:Smallville, 24, Alias, CSI, etc.
I watch too much TV.
Books:As A Man Thinketh - James Allen; The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey; The Art of War - Sun Tzu; The Hagakure - Yamamoto Tsunetomo; The Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto Musashi; The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Series) - Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht; Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
Likes:
Dislikes:
Hobbies:Exercise,Writing,Martial Arts - Karate, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Aikido, Capoeira, Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Parkour (Free Running),Urban Exploration, Spelunking,Paintball, Airsoft,Mountain Biking
Vices:I love to sleep, alot.
Virtues:
Heroes:Jesus Christ, Confucius, Buhdda, Mahatma Ghandi, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Orin Porter Rockwell, Sam Cowley, Stephen Covey
This is Brian Westover's professional site. It serves as his online presence and includes biographical information, an online portfolio of his work, and a list of professional writing services offered. As a bonus, you'll also find a collection of links and resources that will benefit both the amateur and professional writer.
WriterSpot is an organized collection of resources for the serious writer. You'll find links to writer's sites, e-courses, free e-books, research tools, magazine and book listings, and much more. If you're a writer, you'll find something helpful at WriterSpot.
Currently, the focus of my training is on the mental half, in accord with my first full book project (http://projectsuperhero.onesite.com/blog/view_post.one?pid=23833) which focuses on 'Warrior Wisdom'. For those who are interested, here is a listing of the books involved, complete with links to online versions of the books or collections of selected quotes from them.
The Budoshoshinshu, by Daidoji Yuzan
This 17th-century text written for the education and guidance of Japanese warriors delineates the ethics, morality, and daily duties of a class of people dedicated to honor and courage.
A classic, and probably the most complete work ever written about Bushido, the Samurai code of honor. Here's and excellent review about the book:(http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/bushido/breview.html) Truely, this is one of the best books I've ever read.
The Art of Peace (Selected Quotes), by Morehei Ueshiba
Morehei Ueshiba, often referred to as Osensei, is the creator of Aikido. His writtings are brilliant in their treatment on the topics of peace as the natural end of the warrior path. Unfortunately, I don't have a complete online version to share, but there are several quote collections that I highly recommend looking over.
The Art of War (Sonshi.com translation), by Sun Tzu
The Art of War may be one of the most influential works ever written. Suppossedly written by Sun Tzu (more accurately renderred Sun Wu), there is some discussion among scholars about the possibility that it was written by several men. Either way, the book, as it stands, has influenced war, politics, and business globally for centuries. The Sonshi.com translation is an excellent one. It's easy to understand, and the online resources there are invaluable for a deeper understanding of the concepts presented.
Ymamoto Tsunetomo was a man out of time. A samurai in an age where the warrior class was stagnating, he struggled to maintain the traditions of his forefathers. This book is fascinating both as an example of Bushido codes and ethics as well as an example of the need to change and adapt to meet an ever changing world.
Musashi may be the greatest swordsman to ever live. If accounts are to be believed, he personally defeated hundereds of challengers, and at one point in his career he chose to abandon the traditional steel bladed sword, and from then on soundly defeated every coming challenger using only a wooden training sword. The Book of Five Rings is his masterwork, a complete treatment of his own unique school and philosophy.
Send Message
Add Friend
Block User
The Art of War (Sonshi.com translation), by Sun Tzu
The Budoshoshinshu, by Daidoji Yuzan