Cover of Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die showing the silhouette of a soldier looking at the sun in an orange sky

What People are Saying

“David E. Grogan has written a wonderful book that explains what it means to serve, what it means to be a veteran, and what all of us can learn from their lives of service, both when these men and women wore the uniform and after they came back home to live among us.”
—Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

“David E. Grogan brings the storytelling craft he honed through writing his fiction thrillers to these real-life accounts that will stretch your imagination and stir your soul.”
—John G. Blumberg, National Speaker and Author of Return On Integrity

Learning to Live
from Those Willing to Die

by David E. Grogan

Using the engaging lives of twenty-six veterans whose service spans from World War II and the Vietnam War to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die explores what makes veterans successful in peacetime and in war.

For many, their time in the military was the defining event in their lives.

Military experience made some better and more confident leaders.
For others, it left scars they had to overcome.

Either way, their lives are rich with experiences you can learn from, with their stories offering a unique opportunity to help you lead a more fulfilling life.

Your purchase directly helps veterans—all Amazon author royalties from Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die are donated to America’s VetDogs, which provides guide and service dogs to veterans and first responders.

So far, Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die has raised over $6,500 for America’s VetDogs!

Learn More

The Steve Stilwell Thriller Series

Cover of The Hidden Key by David E. Grogan

Signed copies make great, inexpensive, unique gifts!

You can order signed copies of The Hidden Key, Sapphire Pavilion and The Siegel Dispositions directly from me and shipping anywhere in the U.S. is free! Just visit my online bookstore to place your order. You will be able to specify who you would like each book signed for.

Voices To Veterans

Check out Voices To Veterans for inspiring true-life stories about American veterans. From World War II to the present, Voices to Veterans honors the U.S. military, one veteran at a time. Based on my interviews with the veterans, a new story is added every month. The latest story is below, but you can check out all of the stories under the Voices to Veterans tab. All of the stories are free and each one takes only a few minutes to read.

U.S. Navy seaman apprentice in summer white uniform

October 15, 2026

ET3 James A. Luteran, U.S. Navy – Enjoying the Ride on the USS Grouper (SSK-214)

Oftentimes, military service is a steppingstone to bigger and better things. It matures young men and women, augmenting their youthful enthusiasm and energy with hard-earned self-confidence, personal discipline, and leadership skills. The military develops these traits in servicemembers through rigorous training and real-world tests. Electronics Technician 3rd Class James A. Luteran, U.S. Navy, overcame all the challenges that duty on a diesel submarine in the late 1950s sent his way. He emerged proud of his Navy service and ready for a life of inspiring others as an educator.

Book Clubs

Women in book club holding books by David E. Grogan

If your book club is interested in reading Learning to Live from Those Willing to Die, The Hidden Key, Sapphire Pavilion, and/or The Siegel Dispositions, contact me at davidegrogan@gmail.com to purchase signed copies for all of your club’s members. Special book club pricing is available and we can also discuss having me FaceTime into your book club meeting when you discuss the book.