Ethan Hawke channels advice from a 15th century knight

Actor and writer Ethan Hawke is most often associated with contemporary stories like Before Midnight and Boyhood. But the four-time Academy Award nominee delved into the distant past for inspiration in his third book, Rules for a Knight.

Hawke, 45, sat down with Shad to talk about how Rules for a Knight came about; from fans starting conversations with him about his role in Boyhood, to his own reflections about parenthood.

Here's a summary of the story from publisher Knopf Doubleday:

"A knight, fearing he may not return from battle, writes a letter to his children in an attempt to leave a record of all he knows. In a series of ruminations on solitude, humility, forgiveness, honesty, courage, grace, pride, and patience, he draws on the ancient teachings of Eastern and Western philosophy, and on the great spiritual and political writings of our time.

His intent: to give his children a compass for a journey they will have to make alone, a short guide to what gives life meaning and beauty."