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Faith of My Fathers | 
 enlarge | Authors: John Mccain, Mark Salter
Publisher: Random House
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $8.69
You Save: $6.31 (42%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  209 reviews
Sales Rank: 112
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3
ISBN: 1400067928
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.90922
EAN: 9781400067923
ASIN: 1400067928
Publication Date: March 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Books by politicians are not often worth reading, but John McCain's Faith of My Fathers is an astonishing exception to the rule. The Republican senator from Arizona has a remarkable story to tell--better than just about any of his peers--and he tells it well, with crisp prose and an unexpected sense for narrative pacing. The first half of the book concerns his naval forbears: his grandfather commanded an aircraft carrier in the Second World War, while his father presided over all naval forces in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. They were the first father-son admirals in American history. Young John McCain knew he had enormous shoes to fill and rebelled against many of the expectations set for him. At the Naval Academy, he was nearly expelled, graduating fifth from the bottom of his class. He never became an admiral, but achieved fame another way: as a naval aviator in 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam and spent several years in POW camps, where he was beaten, tortured, and nearly allowed to die. McCain describes the awful details of his imprisonment and tells how he stayed mentally strong during seemingly endless months of solitary confinement and how he communicated in code with fellow captives. Faith of My Fathers concludes with McCain's release and contains no information about his subsequent political career. It is, nonetheless, a complete and compelling memoir of individual heroism--one that will interest both political and military history buffs. --John J. Miller
Product Description
John McCain is one of the most admired leaders in the United States government, but his deeply felt memoir of family and war is not a political one and ends before his election to Congress. With candor and ennobling power, McCain tells a story that, in the words of Newsweek, "makes the other presidential candidates look like pygmies."
John McCain learned about life and honor from his grandfather and father, both four-star admirals in the U.S. Navy. This is a memoir about their lives, their heroism, and the ways that sons are shaped and enriched by their fathers.
John McCain's grandfather was a gaunt, hawk-faced man known as Slew by his fellow officers and, affectionately, as Popeye by the sailors who served under him. McCain Sr. played the horses, drank bourbon and water, and rolled his own cigarettes with one hand. More significant, he was one of the navy's greatest commanders, and led the strongest aircraft carrier force of the Third Fleet in key battles during World War II.
John McCain's father followed a similar path, equally distinguished by heroic service in the navy, as a submarine commander during World War II. McCain Jr. was a slightly built man, but like his father, he earned the respect and affection of his men. He, too, rose to the rank of four-star admiral, making the McCains the first family in American history to achieve that distinction. McCain Jr.'s final assignment was as commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific during the Vietnam War.
It was in the Vietnam War that John McCain III faced the most difficult challenge of his life. A naval aviator, he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 and seriously injured. When Vietnamese military officers realized he was the son of a top commander, they offered McCain early release in an effort to embarrass the United States. Acting from a sense of honor taught him by his father and the U.S. Naval Academy, McCain refused the offer. He was tortured, held in solitary confinement, and imprisoned for five and a half years.
Faith of My Fathers is about what McCain learned from his grandfather and father, and how their example enabled him to survive those hard years. It is a story of three imperfect men who faced adversity and emerged with their honor intact. Ultimately, Faith of My Fathers shows us, with great feeling and appreciation, what fathers give to their sons, and what endures.
Download Description
This deeply felt memoir by one of this country's most admired leaders tells the story of three generations of an American military family. The grandson and son of two of the U.S. Navy's most revered commanders, Senator John McCain shows how this legacy of military service and courage helped prepare him for the biggest challenge of his life when, as a naval aviator, he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 and seriously injured. When his captors realized McCain's identity, they offered him early release. In what has now become a legendary act of heroism, McCain refused the offer and was subsequently tortured, held in solitary confinement, and imprisoned for more than five years.Faith of My Fathers is about what McCain learned from his father and grandfather, and how their example enabled him to survive. Told with humility, grace, and humor, it is a story of three imperfect men who faced adversity and emerged with their honor intact. It is a story to inspire and instruct, one that shows what fathers give to their sons, and what, ultimately, endures.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 204 more reviews...
 Know the man behind the Republican nominee. September 8, 2008
What a story! What a life! John McCain has had quite a life in the military. His whole family has. This book has nothing to do with "party lines" or politics so regardless if you are a donkey or an elephant you will get something positive out of his story. Check it out!
 Honest portrayal of McCains character September 7, 2008
Excellent read. Just read this book then Obama's Prayers from my father and see the vast difference in personalities and upbringing. As Barrack praises his dead beat dad, McCain goes into the history of his Gradfather and father's lives that while not perfect where rich in devotion and honor to their country. McCain's early history is also explained in a similar manner that shows his faults, but also his example of living the morals that were passed on from his fathers before him. I personally would much rather have his characteristics in a president.
A must-read for anyone this campaign season! September 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
An important story, told with grace, humility, and much appeal. This book reveals the strengths and the depth of this remarkable American--from a great family of leaders.
From his father and his grandfather (and his mother), John Sidney McCain III learned about the things that matter, the lasting virtues: faith, honor, loyalty, truth-telling, devotion to a worthy cause greater than oneself.
Through it all, McCain shows how he grew from an attractive but rather self-centered and superficial young man to someone of stature and real wisdom, much of it learned the (very) hard way.
Some of the stories here are deeply moving: the prisoners' Christmas, for example, or the guard who marks a cross in the dust at McCain's feet.
This is a book that should prompt personal and even national self-examination of our core values: who we are, what we stand for, and where we want to go.
Highly recommended: indeed, a NECESSARY read.
Read this to get to know the character of our next President!! September 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Don't let this election be about style over substance. The country has a once in a lifetime chance to elect a true patriot & American hero to our highest office.
The courage and valor of this man comes through loud and clear as you gain an understanding of his lineage, and the sacrifice to country made by three generations of McCain's.
A must-read for anyone following this year's election!!
Service to your country. September 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was impressed with John McCain's life, and his service to his country. His life is a shinning example of courage and honor. My life by contrast is more self serving. It was something for me to think about while reading this book.
McCain's father and grandfather were in the military and were role models for him. John's mother, who is still alive is also a role model for him as well. I believe John gets his social skills from his mom, who can be quite charming. McCain makes friends easily.
I enjoyed his sense of humor and his willingness to admit his mistakes.
The time he spent as a POW was suspenseful. It was gut wrenching to read about torture and the inhumane conditions in prison. The small acts of kindness between the other POW's were touching.
It was interesting to learn about Vietnam from Senator McCain. For instance the fedreal government and the military had different viewpoints on how to fight this war. McCain explains briefly how President Johnson, and how President Nixon handled the war.McCain's father helped led the war effort in Asian, so McCain has some in side information.
The book was well written. I was disappointed that it ended so abruptly.
He came home from Vietnam when he was thirty eight, but didn't write about his adjustment to civilian life or his time in the senate. I wonder if this book was written after he decided to run for president? The first edition was published in 1999.
Perhaps John McCain will write another book, and hopefully I can find ways to be more of service to others.
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