In 1999, John McCain wrote one of the most acclaimed and bestselling memoirs of the decade, Faith of My Fathers. That book ended in 1972, with McCa...
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Jun 03, 2008
Ryan
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I read this book after having come to understand that many of Hitler's worst atrocities were predicted by him in Mein Kompf. If the people had read that book, they would not have been surprised (or able to credibly fake it) when the atrocities were occurring. Now, I make no comparison between Hitler and John McCain. That bit of knowledge simply made realize that it should be both very interesting and important to read books written by leaders of your country, and of the candidates who are trying
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Mar 26, 2009
Terry
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I read this in prep for the 2008 national election. I am glad I did, although it was really a promotional piece written largely by others, touting McCain's cultivated image as a political "maverick".
I greatly respected McCain's efforts to help craft bipartisan, workable immigration policy, election reform and his initial stance against torture, though he sadly backed off of that principle.
It is an informative study in the evolution of a principled politician. H More...
I greatly respected McCain's efforts to help craft bipartisan, workable immigration policy, election reform and his initial stance against torture, though he sadly backed off of that principle.
It is an informative study in the evolution of a principled politician. H More...
Jun 01, 2009
Doris
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The only real problem with this is the length.
It is touted as a memoir, and it is, but it is also an excellent source of historical data. For instance, it goes into great detail on some historical figures (Teddy Roosevelt, Billy Mitchell) and some current figures (Bob Dole). I learned quite a bit I wish I had known before (how many people knew the reason Bob Dole refused to shake hands was because of a WWII injury?).
The book does not paint McCain as a martyr or a satyr. More...
It is touted as a memoir, and it is, but it is also an excellent source of historical data. For instance, it goes into great detail on some historical figures (Teddy Roosevelt, Billy Mitchell) and some current figures (Bob Dole). I learned quite a bit I wish I had known before (how many people knew the reason Bob Dole refused to shake hands was because of a WWII injury?).
The book does not paint McCain as a martyr or a satyr. More...
Oct 14, 2008
Laurie
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Welllllll.... this book had its interesting parts, but I can't say I was too enthralled with it. Took me forever to read it seems. The chapters that I liked most were the ones that were actually about McCain, with the exception of the chapter on his involvement with the Keating Five. I thought that chapter would clear a few things up but instead it was long and confusing and about halfway through I just felt like I was reading words. I couldn't WAIT for it to be over with. The other chapters are
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Sep 23, 2008
Tanya
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When John McCain wrote this book in 2002 he had no intention of running for president again in 2008, and thus his monograph has the tone of summing up a long political career before retiring to the private life. He is very honest about his mistakes and motives, admitting when he has been driven by his own selfishness, and when he has let his temper or his pride mold his actions. He particularly castigates himself for his (albeit limited) involvement in the savings and loan scandal as part of th
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Jul 04, 2008
Rusty
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If I were in combat, I'd want John McCain with me. I don't doubt the depth of his idealism for what America stands for, and his willingness to give everything to that including - perhaps at a minimum - his life. If life were a movie, say The Magnificent Seven, then McCain would be Yul Brynner, and he'd be as unwavering and iconic as you could dream.
He is also vain, hyper-ambitious and utterly obsessed with his perception of his personal honor. His sense of integrity is inextricably bou More...
He is also vain, hyper-ambitious and utterly obsessed with his perception of his personal honor. His sense of integrity is inextricably bou More...
Mar 22, 2008
Lanette
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Presidential elections are a little more interesting for military families. Not only are we voting for a president, we are voting for the person who we'd like to be my husband's boss; Commander-in-Chief. While we will always respect the position if not the person, it's a nice thing to actually be able to respect the CIC. (And no, my husband and I don't always vote for the same person!)
Prior to reading this book, the only thing I really knew about John McCain is that he graduated More...
Prior to reading this book, the only thing I really knew about John McCain is that he graduated More...
Mar 04, 2008
Janet
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I am immersed in "Worth Fighting For” John McCain Book 2 and while Book 1 has me a self identified “McCainiac” Book 2 begins with rather sober remembrances of governmental figures and hard times in the House and Senate. Controversial issues that have plagued John McCain’s campaign are answered here in his own words with the thinking and behind the scenes play-by-play recounted. There are some important chapters in here about Bob Dole, Theodore Roosevelt and other historical leaders. The Vie
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Aug 05, 2011
Somewhere between authentic and lacking polish. At times it seems like the "rebel without a cause" routine with the purposeful swearing that at his age seems pretty old. Not really sure he can go after Obama on maturity just because he is older. The people he admires seems to have been added to give way to his petulance, although he or his co-author did choose some interesting people. Likely they will have time to write another volume in a couple of weeks.
May 05, 2009
Sabrina
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I loved how he talked a lot about the people who influenced him - including literary character, politician, and family. Read this and Barack o'Bama's [title: Dreams From my Father] during my preparation for the 2009 presidential election and was impressed by both. I respect both men a whole lot more after reading their stories.
Dec 29, 2008
Loved his commentary on the Hemingway. This is the McCain I thought was going to be running for the presidency, and the man I always respected -- open, bipartisan, self-deprecating, intellectual. How the person who wrote this could have chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate is beyond my imagination....
Oct 10, 2008
Luke
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I enjoyed this book, the second book that I've read by Senator McCain. It differs substantially from "Faith of My Fathers" in that it is focused on his career after he left the military. What I enjoy the most about Sen. McCain's writing is that he doesn't pull the punches when cataloging his mistakes or his faults. He admits his failures, describes what he learned from them, and moves on. I respect that greatly. I think that this book is a very interesting look into the Legislativ
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Mar 22, 2009
Alison
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I enjoyed this book because it was easy reading. Senator McCain writes well and has an authentic personality which comes through in the stories contained in this book.
Nov 23, 2008
Laurie
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Started reading this for the election but dropped off. It didn't hold my attention very well. Seemed like a resume in story format.
Mar 02, 2010
Bill
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The three-star rating is supposed to mean "I Liked It". In this case, it means I liked half of it - the first half. After that it got a bit repetitive and lingered on points that I didn't find compelling. If McCain gets elected President today, I'd recommend you read this book (and probably his other for more of his biographical background). If not, then don't worry about it, because he'll just be the maverick senator from Arizona again.
Feb 05, 2008
Thomas
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McCain's political memoir gets a little slow at times and he diverges frequently from his topic. (For example, many pages on Teddy Roosevelt.) But the book has many redeeming qualities. His accounts of his own seasoning as a politician, his role in the Keating Five incident, and his role in diplomatic missions to Vietnam are insightful and fill give the reader a lot of inside information.
Aug 08, 2007
Greg
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John McCain is one of the most respectable politicians of the modern era...is a sentence that was true until he proved that he was a little to committed to what things he thought were worth the fighting for. That said, this is still an engaging book (if strongly politically motivated) about an intriguing man.
Nov 27, 2008
John
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All-in-all pretty good; suprisingly philosophical and thoughtful. Its cool to see who McCain looked up to when he was starting out. I also thought it was great how he admitted what he did wrong in the Keating 5 situation and all. I found the book to be an insightful and honest look at his past.
Oct 12, 2008
Tyler
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Great first person account of American Politics for the past 25 years.
Senator McCain shows great depth and experience from his years in the Navy to his time as a U.S. Senator.
Senator McCain shows great depth and experience from his years in the Navy to his time as a U.S. Senator.
Jul 24, 2008
Travis
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You don't have to read more than a few sentences to realize that all of McCain's experiences and decisions are seen through a militaristic lens. Scary to say the least.
Jun 29, 2008
Mike
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A politician I really respect. Not the most enthralling author (the opposite of his opponent, who's a little too flowery as a writer) but a good glimpse into what drives him.
Sep 21, 2008
Ann from S.C.
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I found this to be a very interesting book. I learned some things about Mccain that I did not know. He went through alot in his life, and I do admire him a bunch!
Oct 01, 2011
Sheila
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The memoir of John McCain on his time in the house and senate, and his failed run for President in 2000. He talks about his heroes and who inspires him.
Mar 12, 2008
Lauren
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This book is not so much about policy but rather about the men who have influenced McCain. I found it to be pretty interesting.
Sep 28, 2008
Lauren
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Not very interesting. Long-winded, self-aggrandizing, preemptive damage control. His first book was far better.
Apr 01, 2008
I lean to the left myself, but if we end up with another republican I've been hoping for this one since 2000.
Feb 07, 2010
Afua
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Oh, Senator McCain. This memoir of yours made me see so much potential in you, so much wasted potential.
May 23, 2008
Ryan
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Great book if you're interested in John McCain's heros and some of his social positions.
