Faith of My Fathers
by: John McCain, Mark Salter
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Amazon.com Review:
Books by politicians are not often worth reading, but JohnMcCain's Faith of My Fathers is an astonishing exception to therule. The Republican senator from Arizona has a remarkable story totell--better than just about any of his peers--and he tells it well,with crisp prose and an unexpected sense for narrative pacing. Thefirst half of the book concerns his naval forbears: his grandfathercommanded an aircraft carrier in the Second World War, while hisfather presided over all naval forces in the Pacific during theVietnam War. They were the first father-son admirals in Americanhistory. Young John McCain knew he had enormous shoes to fill andrebelled against many of the expectations set for him. At the NavalAcademy, he was nearly expelled, graduating fifth from the bottom ofhis class. He never became an admiral, but achieved fame another way:as a naval aviator in 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam andspent several years in POW camps, where he was beaten, tortured, andnearly allowed to die. McCain describes the awful details of hisimprisonment and tells how he stayed mentally strong during seeminglyendless months of solitary confinement and how he communicated in codewith fellow captives. Faith of My Fathers concludes withMcCain's release and contains no information about his subsequentpolitical career. It is, nonetheless, a complete and compelling memoirof individual heroism--one that will interest both political andmilitary 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.
Books by politicians are not often worth reading, but JohnMcCain's Faith of My Fathers is an astonishing exception to therule. The Republican senator from Arizona has a remarkable story totell--better than just about any of his peers--and he tells it well,with crisp prose and an unexpected sense for narrative pacing. Thefirst half of the book concerns his naval forbears: his grandfathercommanded an aircraft carrier in the Second World War, while hisfather presided over all naval forces in the Pacific during theVietnam War. They were the first father-son admirals in Americanhistory. Young John McCain knew he had enormous shoes to fill andrebelled against many of the expectations set for him. At the NavalAcademy, he was nearly expelled, graduating fifth from the bottom ofhis class. He never became an admiral, but achieved fame another way:as a naval aviator in 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam andspent several years in POW camps, where he was beaten, tortured, andnearly allowed to die. McCain describes the awful details of hisimprisonment and tells how he stayed mentally strong during seeminglyendless months of solitary confinement and how he communicated in codewith fellow captives. Faith of My Fathers concludes withMcCain's release and contains no information about his subsequentpolitical career. It is, nonetheless, a complete and compelling memoirof individual heroism--one that will interest both political andmilitary 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.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Very Informative!
Partly in an effort to better understand the presidential candidates in the 2008 election, I ordered this book on tape. Although it was a little tough getting through the technical military equipment descriptions (not having a military background myself}, it was great to hear it read by John McCain. When finished, I felt I had a much better insight into the man, his family and his service to this nation. There is no doubt in my mind he is a true American hero deserving of our respect and gratitude. ... Read More
Rating: 
- JOHN MCCAIN'S FAITH OF MY FATHERS
Even as a woman, I enjoyed reading Mr. McCain's book about his military career and his imprisonment in Vietnam POW camps.He is an extraordinary man.He is not the only war hero, but anyone who could endure what he went through has my respect and admiration.I like SPUNKY!!
Rating: - "...though the happy pursuits and casual beauty of youth prove ephemeral, something better can endure, and endure until our last
moment on earth. And that is the honor we earn and the love we give if at a moment in our youth we sacrifice with others for something greater than our self-interest."
Whatever ones politics, it'd be difficult to argue with the contention that John McCain is, militarily, a man of honor. He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both well-respected Admirals whose career highlights he recounts in the first fourth of the book, by choosing service in the U.S Navy. McCain's ... Read More
Rating: 
- Poor start, but hooks you later
This book is a great review of McCain's life up to the point where he gets over the huge conflict of being a POW.The beginning of the book was very slow and uninteresting, but as you move further on he really gets his voice.Actually, only a few of the stories about his grandfather and father were really worth reading.When the story got down to McCain's life then it really got interesting.He definitely was a hellion throughout his childhood: A true leader of the rebellious crowd.Don't get me ... Read More
Rating: - High recommendation
This book is an inspiring read that is both honest and open as well as compelling.I highly recommend it as a reminder of the sacrifice made by so many who serve our nation in the military, as well as a door by which to better understand what make Sen. John McCain who he is.It is one of those books that you don't want to put down.
- Very Informative!Partly in an effort to better understand the presidential candidates in the 2008 election, I ordered this book on tape. Although it was a little tough getting through the technical military equipment descriptions (not having a military background myself}, it was great to hear it read by John McCain. When finished, I felt I had a much better insight into the man, his family and his service to this nation. There is no doubt in my mind he is a true American hero deserving of our respect and gratitude. ... Read More
- JOHN MCCAIN'S FAITH OF MY FATHERSEven as a woman, I enjoyed reading Mr. McCain's book about his military career and his imprisonment in Vietnam POW camps.He is an extraordinary man.He is not the only war hero, but anyone who could endure what he went through has my respect and admiration.I like SPUNKY!!
- "...though the happy pursuits and casual beauty of youth prove ephemeral, something better can endure, and endure until our lastmoment on earth. And that is the honor we earn and the love we give if at a moment in our youth we sacrifice with others for something greater than our self-interest."
Whatever ones politics, it'd be difficult to argue with the contention that John McCain is, militarily, a man of honor. He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both well-respected Admirals whose career highlights he recounts in the first fourth of the book, by choosing service in the U.S Navy. McCain's ... Read More
- Poor start, but hooks you laterThis book is a great review of McCain's life up to the point where he gets over the huge conflict of being a POW.The beginning of the book was very slow and uninteresting, but as you move further on he really gets his voice.Actually, only a few of the stories about his grandfather and father were really worth reading.When the story got down to McCain's life then it really got interesting.He definitely was a hellion throughout his childhood: A true leader of the rebellious crowd.Don't get me ... Read More
- High recommendationThis book is an inspiring read that is both honest and open as well as compelling.I highly recommend it as a reminder of the sacrifice made by so many who serve our nation in the military, as well as a door by which to better understand what make Sen. John McCain who he is.It is one of those books that you don't want to put down.
