A Gladiator’s Journey

About the Book

It has been said that you should surround yourself with those on the same mission as you. The cover of A Gladiator’s Journey seems to suggest this mission is one of inevitable conflict and carnage. However, the dichotomy of A Gladiator’s Journey is that the true mission is that of survival and hope. Although not necessarily alcoholic themselves, there are an estimated 76 million people in the United States affected by alcoholism and other family dysfunction. Those affected will be on a lifelong journey of destruction (self and otherwise) until they finally realize there is help. This journey is for you if you have ever: Raged at someone and didn’t know why; Sought solace in sex partners yet still felt empty inside; Felt justified in yelling at someone but later felt remorse; Known you were wrong but couldn’t bring yourself to apologize; Displayed any other behavior that made you think “why did I do that” The journey on which you are about to embark is one of pain & confusion, and recovery & healing. This story, told in a series of poems, will induce tears of sadness, provoke anger, instill fear, but will ultimately bring you strength, hope and joy.

About the Author

Brian Coates was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He was 10 years old when divorce struck his family. He then lived with his father for the next 10 years. Having survived childhood, Brian is currently on a journey of recovery. During this journey he has discovered poetry as a way to communicate his pain, his discovery, and his recovery.