Rand Cardwell has spent a lifetime viewing the world through the lens of a trained military observer while embracing the soul of a poet. His diverse experiences—ranging from discipline and precision to creativity and introspection—shape his writing, allowing him to explore deep philosophical concepts and raw human emotions with equal intensity.
Residing in East Tennessee, Cardwell has dedicated decades to the study of Stoicism, martial arts, genealogy, and poetry. His work reflects a profound commitment to self-discipline, intellectual growth, and the pursuit of wisdom. His poetry has appeared in SLAB, El Portal, Evening Street Review, DASH Literary Journal, and Visitant, while his nonfiction works have been published by Tuttle Publishing and Amazon.
Books
Cardwell’s first book, The Western Bubishi, was self-published in 2003 and quickly gained recognition among martial artists worldwide. Due to its enduring popularity, a second printing is now available. Encouraged by peers, he refined and expanded his research over fifteen years, leading to the publication of The 36 Deadly Bubishi Points in 2018. This deeper exploration of martial arts knowledge is available in both paperback and electronic (ePub) editions.
A lifelong student of Stoicism, Cardwell has spent over twenty-five years compiling his insights and reflections into an extensive multi-volume series. His first book in this endeavor, Becoming Stoic: Lessons on Perception, introduces readers to the foundational Stoic principle of perception and is available at bookstores, and online stores like Amazon and Ingram. The continuation of the series, Becoming Stoic: Lessons on Action and Becoming Stoic: Lessons on Will are also available. The latest in the series, Becoming Stoic: The Essential Lessons is scheduled to be released in December 2025. Click here
His latests efforts has produced the Cardwell Civil War Series. Brothers in Blue: The Cardwell Men Who Fought for the Union and Brothers in Gray: The Cardwell Men Who Fought for the Confederacy are significant pieces to the overall documentation of the history of the Cardwell Family in America. They can be found in fine bookstores and online sources in hardback, paperback and ePub editions.
Poetry
With a passion for creative writing spanning over three decades, Cardwell has recently begun sharing his poetry with a broader audience. His work delves into themes of resilience, nature, and human experience, earning recognition in multiple literary journals.
He has also pioneered a unique poetic structure he calls “Binary Poetry”—a reductionist style featuring two words per line, capturing deep meaning through simplicity. This method is showcased in his breakout poetry collection, Unhurried and Other Poems, now available on Amazon. Click here
Current Projects
Beyond his ongoing Stoicism series, Cardwell is deeply involved in several major writing projects, including:
- Cardwell is nearing the end of the research phase for a book outlining a detailed history of the Chinese martial art known as Baguazhang. This effort will take considerable time to complete.
- A genealogical study tracing the Cardwell family lineage, in which he is recognized as a leading researcher.
- The early development of a fiction novel, exploring new creative frontiers.
Articles & Thought Leadership
In addition to his books and poetry, Cardwell regularly contributes to Becoming Stoic, an online platform where he shares insights drawn from over two decades of Stoic study. His articles serve as a resource for those seeking to apply ancient wisdom to modern life. Click here
For more on his work, visit Becoming Stoic or look for his books at your favorite bookstore.
Research
Cardwell has also contributed research to support the Marine Corps Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation (MSSHF) in its ongoing mission to honor the legacy of Marine Scout Snipers. The Foundation is currently working to establish a permanent memorial within Semper Fidelis Memorial Park at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia. Drawing from multiple archival and historical sources, Cardwell has helped identify thirty-four Marine Corps Scout Snipers who were killed in action during World War II and the Vietnam War. These fallen Marines, along with many others who served in the role, will be honored at the forthcoming memorial.