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A Message to Garcia

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57 · rating details · 341 ratings · 40 reviews

Before becoming the basis for two motion pictures, A Message to Garcia was written as an inspirational essay by Elbert Hubbard. This popular work is about a soldier who takes the initiative to accomplish a daunting and difficult task without questions or objections and graciously accomplishes the task. Often used in business and life as a motivational example to readers of...more

Paperback, 48 pages

Published November 1st 2006 by Filiquarian Publishing, LLC. (first published 1899)

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U.S. Marine Corps Reading List 2011

6th out of 46 books — 13 voters

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Aug 25, 2007 Simon rated it 1 of 5 stars

Some marks may be granted to Mr. Hubbard for his endeavor to demonstrate his idea of the proper way to accomplish a task. However, his notion of very integral parts of completing any undertaking is quite misconceived. To describe A Message To Garcia, in the most gracious way, is to say that the point intended was poorly made.

The author’s fervent admiration of an honest work ethic is to be commended, no doubt. His devotion to the matter seems complete, if not somewhat overly zealous. However, h...more Some marks may be granted to Mr. Hubbard for his endeavor to demonstrate his idea of the proper way to accomplish a task. However, his notion of very integral parts of completing any undertaking is quite misconceived. To describe A Message To Garcia, in the most gracious way, is to say that the point intended was poorly made.

The author’s fervent admiration of an honest work ethic is to be commended, no doubt. His devotion to the matter seems complete, if not somewhat overly zealous. However, he has chosen a meager subject to illustrate this lesson about doing “intelligent work.” Throughout this writing, the author incessantly berates “foolish inattention” and “imbecility.” This leaves one to wonder if he has considered the “hero” of his own story, Lieutenant Andrew Summers Rowan. For what could possibly be more negligent than to accept a missive without first knowing the particulars of the undertaking? What act speaks more clearly to the quality of ignorance than to tempestuously jump headlong into one’s mission. Hubbard has chosen a simpleton to be the antithesis of “half-hearted work.” While he applauds Rowan for not “asking any idiotic questions,” he should be contemplating the consequences of the very same action.

What is even more appalling than Hubbard’s open contempt for the independent-minded worker is his misconstrued idea of the book’s importance to it’s recipients. Undeniably, there are opinions voiced in this work that do appeal to some. However, it is doubtable that every Russian railroad employee felt deeply dignified to be in possession of the booklet when ownership had clearly been imposed upon them. One must question the author’s image of the ideal, appreciative reader. “The Japanese, finding the booklets in possession of the Russian prisoners, concluded that it must be a good thing,” Of course! Why not give it to “every man in the employ of the Japanese Government?” Perhaps they too may one day be privileged enough to be caught in the prison of mental subservience with a copy of the book on their persons.

In conclusion, it is evident that not only did Elbert Hubbard misjudge the importance of the information gathering process as it pertains to task completion, but he also grossly overestimated the relevance of his own advice. As for the matter of Rowan’s success in his quest, it is no secret. It’s outlined clearly in the Publisher’s Note of the book. Sure, he got to Cuba all by his self. Once there, “he was furnished with native guides.” Rest assured that they had thought to ask where Garcia was! I dare say that had it not been for those same guides it would be a much different tale to be told. There would have been no message to Garcia…………
Just an epitaph for Rowan.
(less)

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Aug 29, 2007 Gina R rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Every Marine

Shelves: commandants-reading-list

SO first of all I have to say this book is CRAP! Its not even a book. I personally believe it is propaganda, and that it is NOT a coincidence that the author's name is very similar to one L. Ron Hubbard. Hmmmmm....is this really the stuff that we should have our junior Marines reading? I read it as a Lance Corporal (just a lowly E-3), and I hated it. Just one more excuse for someone to chew me out. "Didn't you read A Message to Garcia...LANCE corporal?!" Whatever.
However now that I am an NCO (f...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Stacie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, nonfiction

First, let me summarize what this little 32 page booklet is about before I start ranting.

"A Message to Garcia" refers to this man, Lieutenant Rowan, who was tasked by President McKinley during the Spanish-American War to deliver a message to the Cuban general, Garcia. So, what is it exactly that makes this story worth telling? Rowan just took the letter, without question, departed the states, and searched out Garcia---all on his own. And then he returned.

Hubbard (who wrote this in 1913) was so i...more First, let me summarize what this little 32 page booklet is about before I start ranting.

"A Message to Garcia" refers to this man, Lieutenant Rowan, who was tasked by President McKinley during the Spanish-American War to deliver a message to the Cuban general, Garcia. So, what is it exactly that makes this story worth telling? Rowan just took the letter, without question, departed the states, and searched out Garcia---all on his own. And then he returned.

Hubbard (who wrote this in 1913) was so inspired by this simple story that he decided to write this booklet on the importance of doing your job, without question, and to take the initiative.

And this message is all well and good. I believe in that. So why exactly do I feel the need to rant, you may be asking?

Hubbard's narrative veers off into this whole spiel of appreciating your employer and what he does, and how it is that he got there through his hard work. And you know what: so what? There are some people I can admire and some people I just can't. I don't care how hard you worked. I look at people and their personality and how they treat others. Just because you have a great job and you worked hard to get there doesn't automatically make you a great person. Let me just quote a bit here:

"We have recently been hearing much maudlin sympathy expressed for the 'downtrodden denizens of the sweatshop' and the 'homeless wanderer searching for honest employment,' and with all often go many hard words for the men in power. Nothing is said about the employer who grows old before his time in a vain attempt to get frowsy ne'er-do-wells to do intelligent work; and his long, patient striving after 'help' that does nothing but loaf when his back is turned. In every store and factory there is a constant weeding-out process going on. The employer is constantly sending away 'help' that have shown their incapacity to further the interests of the business, and others are being taken on. No matter how good times are, this sorting continues: only, if times are hard and work is scarce, the sorting is done finer---but out and forever out the in incompetent and unworthy go. It is the survival of the fittest. Self-interest prompts every employer to keep the best---those who can carry a message to Garcia" (26-27).

Like, oh my god! I'll admit, some of this does make sense, and I do agree with it. What I don't agree with is how insulting this paragraph alone is. Sounds like way too much preaching to me, which I can't stand. You don't call the people working under you "frowsy" and unintelligent. Like, um, maybe that's why they don't like you in the first place because of how you treat them. Most people have the common sense to dress and act appropriately for a job. Does everyone like their job? Hell no! Some people gripe and complain more than others. And everyone talks about their boss behind his/her back---whether that be good or ill. People do their jobs differently. You have the goody-two-shoes who do everything at the beck and call of their employer (this will most likely be me once I get a job, haha), and then you have the workers who are lazy and rely on the hard workers to do all the work. Like I said, I do agree with a good chunk of what Hubbard said in that paragraph I just quoted. And like I said, I don't appreciate his preaching tone and how he makes it all about the employer. It's all very "poor little old me. My workers suck and no one appreciates everything I do." And I say again: who cares?!?! This world is survival of the fittest. Don't sit and bitch about the poor "help" you have. Cuz guess what: everyone is thinking the same thing. Don't sit and think just because you are in a position of power that you have the power to insult those underneath you. I didn't like how the story of Lieutenant Rowan was perverted into some preaching sermon/lecture on what makes good and bad employees.

Rant over. This booklet was really just conflicting for me. Part of me agrees with it---I get the overall message of the hard-worker taking the initiative, going beyond what is required. Everyone should attempt to do that, even if you hate your job. I just had a lot of negative feelings for the alternative message that was plopped right in there and how it was all worded.(less)

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Nov 15, 2012 Brittany Sanford rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: recommended-2-me, favorites, unusual-title, not-my-fav-cover

Very good story. Very Short. Worth a try.

As I read the introduction (which is only a few pages itself) I wondered, why am I reading this and what is the point? Well, it gets to the point pretty quickly. It's a 10 minute read.

Very plain an simple, despite a few old timey phrases and a few words i had to look up, but even so I understood it well. It's about Honor, principal, values, and hard work. "Do your job" it exclaims.

It's not about Garcia but about Rowan the man who did his job (taking the...more

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Aug 29, 2009 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this book briskly and then again. It is a very concise get to work book. The idiology it espouses is to do, not to say. By that I mean that you should be getting things done and making things happen, in stead of asking questions on what you should specifically be doing. The message that comes from this for leaders is to have your people read this book, if they whine, then tell them "message to Garcia" and that battle cry will help them focus back to getting the mission accomplished whatev...more

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Mar 30, 2010 Steve rated it 2 of 5 stars

Even though this book has a kind of cult status in the Marine Corps, I've never actually gotten around to reading it. When I saw it in the tower ready room the other day, I figured "what the hell, another book to add to my FitRep." It took me all of fifteen minutes to read and I got to admit, I was really expecting a lot more. Anyone who has ever suffered a "kids today can't do anything right, value of a dollar, twelve miles to school in the snow, blah blah blah..." lecture from anyone over the...more

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Dec 03, 2008 Mark rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: every lazy american

it's so short that it would be criminal if every person didn't read it through

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Oct 31, 2010 Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Years ago my father mentioned to me that people used to recite "A Message to Garcia", kind of like they'd recite the Gettysburg address (as shown in the musical "A Music Man"). I'd never heard of it. As part of my efforts to show Dad that the internet was useful for something, I googled it up, and read him the first line. And he said "Yup, that's it!" but then the conversation moved on. It wasn't until this week that I read the whole thing, even though it's quite short.

It's gist is "Just Do It":...more

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May 09, 2010 Chris McClinch rated it 3 of 5 stars

Never would have picked this one up, but it was on the Commandant of the Marine Corps's reading list. It's a short homily on the value of a subordinate who, when tasked with doing a job, knows how to take the initiative to get that job done with a minimum of fuss, delay, or unnecessary questions. One completely understands why the book is recommended to privates, and the message is worthwhile for anyone who isn't the boss in any organization, but scintillating reading it isn't.

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Jan 10, 2013 Carrie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bpl, non-fiction, short-books

Short and to the point. An excellent message to people of today as well as in the late 1800's. Do the job you are hired to do to the best of your ability without making excuses, delaying, or putting it off on someone else. Goes along with the saying "doing what's right even when no one is watching".

I was checking in books at my job at the library and saw this tiny, thin book and on a whim checked it out. Well worth it.

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Feb 24, 2013 Gary rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was a companion piece to "Leading Marines" and all hands in my unit read it and discussed it.

This very short tale really boils down to two things: initiative and perseverance. Take initiative and then, when you inevitably run into resistance or a dead end, find a way to go around, over, or through the obstacle. Don't just give up at the first sign of trouble.

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Jul 23, 2010 Brian Sims rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just read A Message to Garcia - though, I couldn't find the one I have in goodreads (so I just used this one to comment on).. Catch is, I have a pamphlet printed in 1917, which was in a pile of books passed down from my Great Grandpa (deceased), and given to me by my Aunt Joan. Cool, huh. I liked it, even more so, that my Great Grandpa, who I never met, read it.

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Apr 28, 2013 Ashlee rated it 4 of 5 stars

It is an essay of great meaning, it causes you to question whether the work you accoplish is as pure as that of Rowan and that if as an employer you dedicate your ability to bring out the best in your employee and if they will dedicate all of their ability to you in their work.

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Apr 16, 2012 Travis Ferrell rated it 3 of 5 stars

A treatise on the importance of initiative. Good inane of itself, with some distasteful ideas about unionism being a symptom of a lack of initiative.

Right about having drive, but a product of another time as well.

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Mar 31, 2013 Charlie Londono rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-history, read-leadership, read-military

The shortest book I have ever read; the introduction is actually longer than the book, however, a great book which should be required reading for any leader as well as anyone in a position to be led.

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Feb 08, 2012 Gwen - Chew & Digest Books - rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, classic, nonfiction, on-kindle

This went viral in it's day, with over 40 million copies out there by 1913. I can see why, just as it is easy to see why people look at it as propaganda now. That doesn't make the main message untrue.

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Nov 28, 2008 Tim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Somewhat inspirational, but really seems an awful lot like some form of corporate propaganda. Work hard, do good ect.. I work in a cubicle so I think that I am naturally susceptible to this.

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Dec 04, 2012 Peter Lockhart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved it.

Just do the thing. No "Ifs" "Ands" or "Buts" just get it done and make it so. Inspirational. I keep this next to my bed and pull it out and read it often.

Just do it. Get it done.

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Jun 15, 2012 Lara Fondulis rated it 1 of 5 stars

Just...ugh. OK, I get why it's on the commandant's reading list. The premise being that a person given an order should carry out the order no questions asked supports military order I suppose. Sometimes asking questions doesn't mean you're lazy or disorderly though. We're not robots, geez.

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Mar 03, 2013 Aaron Powell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: war-military-history

I've been meaning to read this for a long time, and it only took me about five minutes to get through it. I was surprised to learn that it's just a small pamphlet containing a short essay about the importance of getting the job done without having someone hold your hand. It addresses the importance of self-determination (and an all too common lack of it). When I read this I thought that it was mostly common sense, but of course, common sense is an uncommon virtue (see what I did there, Marines?)...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Courtney Stockstill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Don't know why they call this a book. It only takes a few minutes to read. Written in 1899, and it still conveys an important message in today's world.

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Jul 24, 2010 Charles rated it 5 of 5 stars

My plebe year Military Science teacher, CPT Uptgraft recommended this book to us. It helped me understand why soldiering is the best profession in the world.

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Jan 29, 2011 Stina rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Wow... should I be worried that my boss asked me to read this? He said it was "really good", I found it to be bullshit corporate propaganda.

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Oct 07, 2012 Matthew Stallworth rated it 2 of 5 stars

It brings up a situation in which you can ask yourself how you would react. I like the message it has but I wan't to crazy about it.

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Apr 20, 2012 Clint Morey rated it 4 of 5 stars

The ideas Hubbard expresses have fallen into the "politically incorrect" realm in our society today. They are worth looking at and thinking about. Perhaps there are some elements of truth in them.

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Aug 12, 2009 David rated it 2 of 5 stars

Very short, very well written. But, I couldn't shake the feeling that the moral of the story goes against everything that I believe in.

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Feb 22, 2013 Christopher rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mandatory reading for my new employees - never uses the word intiative but clearly describes what it is...

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Jan 28, 2011 Alicia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, professional-development, read-2011

I appreciate and second the sentiment. Beyond that...meh. Thankfully it is incredibly short.

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Nov 02, 2011 Pedro rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: single-sitting, kindle

This 'book' must have more to it than meets the eye. I will be rereading it soon.

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Aug 04, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great Ideals, although applying them is a bit of a challenge.

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About Elbert Hubbard

Elbert Green Hubbard was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. He was an influential exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement and is, perhaps, most famous for his essay A Message to Garcia.

Also known as Fra Elbert Green, for the magazine he edited, Fra.

from http://freepages.history.rootsweb.anc...

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“Opportunities for education should be within the reach of every individual, not for the lucky few.” — 3 people liked it

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