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Audiobook (abridged)2 hours
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life
Written by Mark Salter
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
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About this audiobook
"Courage," Winston Churchill explained, is "the first of human qualities . . . because it guarantees all the others." As a naval officer, P.O.W., and one of America's most admired political leaders, John McCain has seen countless acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. Now, in this inspiring meditation on courage, he shares his most cherished stories of ordinary individuals who have risked everything to defend the people and principles they hold most dear.
"We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear but the capacity for action despite our fears," McCain reminds us, as a way of introducing the stories of figures both famous and obscure that he finds most compelling-from the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to Sgt. Roy Benavidez, who ignored his own well-being to rescue eight of his men from an ambush in the Vietnam jungle; from 1960s civil rights leader John Lewis, who wrote, "When I care about something, I'm prepared to take the long, hard road," to Hannah Senesh, who, in protecting her comrades in the Hungarian resistance against Hitler's SS, chose a martyr's death over a despot's mercy.
These are some of the examples McCain turns to for inspiration and offers to others to help them summon the resolve to be both good and great. He explains the value of courage in both everyday actions and extraordinary feats. We learn why moral principles and physical courage are often not distinct quantities but two sides of the same coin. Most of all, readers discover how sometimes simply setting the right example can be the ultimate act of courage.
Written by one of our most respected public figures, Why Courage Matters is that rare book with a message both timely and timeless. This is a work for anyone seeking to understand how the mystery and gift of courage can empower us and change our lives.
From the Hardcover edition.
"We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear but the capacity for action despite our fears," McCain reminds us, as a way of introducing the stories of figures both famous and obscure that he finds most compelling-from the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to Sgt. Roy Benavidez, who ignored his own well-being to rescue eight of his men from an ambush in the Vietnam jungle; from 1960s civil rights leader John Lewis, who wrote, "When I care about something, I'm prepared to take the long, hard road," to Hannah Senesh, who, in protecting her comrades in the Hungarian resistance against Hitler's SS, chose a martyr's death over a despot's mercy.
These are some of the examples McCain turns to for inspiration and offers to others to help them summon the resolve to be both good and great. He explains the value of courage in both everyday actions and extraordinary feats. We learn why moral principles and physical courage are often not distinct quantities but two sides of the same coin. Most of all, readers discover how sometimes simply setting the right example can be the ultimate act of courage.
Written by one of our most respected public figures, Why Courage Matters is that rare book with a message both timely and timeless. This is a work for anyone seeking to understand how the mystery and gift of courage can empower us and change our lives.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Author
Mark Salter
Mark Salter has collaborated with John McCain on all seven of their books, including The Restless Wave, Faith of My Fathers, Worth the Fighting For, Why Courage Matters, Character Is Destiny, Hard Call, and Thirteen Soldiers. He served on Senator McCain’s staff for eighteen years.
More audiobooks from Mark Salter
The Luckiest Man: Life with John McCain Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thirteen Soldiers: A Personal History of Americans at War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for Why Courage Matters
Rating: 3.533333333333333 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
30 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's nice to listen to McCain's voice and there are some really inspiring stories in the book. However, I skipped the chapters about Aung San Suu Kyi in light of her lack of courage or conviction concerning the massacre of the Rohingya people in Myanmar last year. John McCain also disapproved and tried to push her to be better, still to no avail. But aside from that, it's a worthwhile book.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Militaristic with a view toward bolstering soldiers with soldier-stories. Includes political subtext: war is an agreeable front-line action option to solve major political problems. He is kind and understanding to non-soldier styles of bravery, but applies battle terms for all styles of courage. Smoothly written, not halting.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Though I was critical of some of McCain's political views in my more detailed discussions of this book, in the end I think it actually raised my opinion of him as a presidential candidate. More of a light philosophical tract than political commentary, Why Courage Matters is a series of twelve narrative stories and associated commentary of various historical events and the courageous people involved, which McCain uses to systematically explore the nature of courage as a virtue.Generally McCain addresses three main topical points, what courage is as a definition, what importance is has both individually and socially, and the sources from which courage is obtained. With each topical and sub-topical area, a story of relevance is carefully presented, highlighting the particular points McCain is making.Though my preconceptions were that this would be a mostly martial book in nature, detailing various and sundry war stories, the fact is that McCain placed more prominently and with more importance narratives concerning a Gandhian style pacifist activism. Holding up the values of social responsibility for change through passive resistance and civil disobedience. Some might argue that this is pandering to people outside of McCain's core political demographics, and there may be some small truth to that, but I think any such attribution can only be a small part of what is a well thought out and written position on the virtue of courage.The toughest question to answer is would I recommend reading this book, and if so, to whom? This work is really best fit for those interested in McCain's politics at more than a policy positional level. Those that want a deeper understanding of the principals that underlie his positions. People from his senatorial state, Arizona, or those supporting his presidential candidacy would be advised to pick up a copy. Aside from that I would not actively recommend it as general reading, but for those who have for some reason been drawn to it topically or by general interest in its authorship, I would encourage them to pick it up as it manages to be entertaining, educational and enlightening. Even if you disagree with some of the material, you will need to thoughtfully analyze your own ideas to respond to those put forth by McCain.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I listened to this audiobook some time ago (long before the 2008 election debacle) and am sorry to report that I found it dull and rambling. I finished it mostly because I have a thing about needing to finish books, rather than because I liked it. I think I would have enjoyed an autobiography more, as the only parts I really enjoyed from this book are McCain's own experiences.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A collection of short stories of men and women who were courageous in their actions and in some cases paid the ultimate price for their courage. The stories are short easy to read and contemporary.