In “Courage Is Calling” (2021), Ryan Holiday masterfully dissects the first cardinal virtue of stoicism: courage. He argues that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it. Drawing on a vast tapestry of historical examples, from the moral fortitude of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the intellectual bravery of scientist Marie Curie, Holiday demonstrates that courage is the foundational virtue that makes all others possible. The book serves as a powerful antidote to modern paralysis, urging readers to confront lies, take action for their beliefs, and embrace the discomfort that comes with doing the right thing. Ryan Holiday positions courage not as a rare, heroic act, but as a daily practice and a choice available to everyone, providing a practical and inspiring guide for navigating fear and uncertainty in our own lives.

Ryan Holiday further explores how courage manifests in various forms: physical, moral, and emotional. He emphasizes that the greatest battles are often against internal voices of doubt and conformity. By studying the stories of those who chose the difficult path, readers learn to identify their own fears and develop the resilience to overcome them. “Courage Is Calling” is ultimately a call to arms for the modern individual, a reminder that a life of passivity is a life half-lived. Ryan Holiday’s compelling narrative empowers readers to answer that call, building a case that our world, now more than ever, requires the deliberate and conscious practice of courage in both large and small moments¹.