Not for the Faint of Heart: My Journey to Manhood in the Santa Clara Vanguard is a book about growth, change, enlightenment, and the struggle for excellence in the discipline of high level drum and bugle corps. Spike’s harsh and emotional journey is a testament to the level of dedication necessary to live a dream and accomplish greatness. This unique account of growth is an examination of drum corps in a compelling, never before attempted, tapestry of a three year drum corps career that took Spike from a disastrous rookie year, to a leader among his peers in the course of three years.

The elite SCV drum line is world renowned for innovation, excellence, musical integrity, and physical heroics. This book will take you through the agonizing process of making one of the most difficult musical art forms in the world appear effortless on the field despite the enormous responsibilities of each day and the emotional rollercoaster each member experiences. The most common complaint the author has been told about his book is the fact that once a reader starts, they just can’t put it down.