andreanourse's review against another edition

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4.0

One of my consistent goals is to learn to listen to and respect views and opinions that differ from my own.

I’ll admit this isn’t always easy and I often struggle to keep my mind open.

Prior to Restless Wave, I just finished James Clapper’s Facts and Fears. McCain and Clapper served in similar eras, so these two books complimented each other.

I may not have voted for or always agreed with John McCain, but it’s hard to dispute his commitment to his country and doing, what he thought, was right. That was evident in the stories he told and the passion he brought to the words.

I listened to the audiobook of Restless Wave and Beau Bridges narrated, which made it even more enjoyable.

This book dives deep into the political side of war, international relations and America. McCain, for the most part, avoids political spats, but does interject his opinions and views heavily.

Restless Wave provided a perspective into the war-hero, statesman and international figure McCain became. The legacy he leaves behind is one I respect, perhaps even more after listening to his story.

The end of the book was hard for me . My father died of brain cancer, not the same that McCaine had, and it was difficult hearing about his final fight. Much of the book was tinged with his acceptance of his own mortality and often referenced things as his “final fight” or “last visit.”

The perspective of knowing your days are coming to a close provided him the ability to share, without filters his honesty. Some of his final votes and thoughts are ones I will always be thankful for.

vanirajkumar's review against another edition

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4.0

I surprisingly felt inspired by the last chapter of this. Definitely not the most well written political biography but in my attempt to read more works from across the aisle it gave me a lot to think about.

annemariewellswriter's review against another edition

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4.0

It was interesting reading this book when I vehemently despised this man circa 2008 (aside from the moment he corrected the woman who called Obama an "arab." That was an impressive moment.) I loved the history lessons and his frank tone of voice.

mariahhanley's review against another edition

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4.0

I have the utmost respect for Senator McCain, and his death is a loss for America. I really enjoyed much of this book, although I did find it somewhat grating at times, dry at times, and I was extremely irritated that he went all-in on Benghazi. Although we did not share almost any political views, I enjoyed hearing his thought process for some of his more major accomplishments and attempts over the years, especially the Obamacare vote (although, it saddened me to know that his goal was not to save Obamacare), and his strong, strong views on torture (with good reason).

sfletcher26's review against another edition

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4.0

Where to start? Well with a number of disclaimers I suppose.
1. I'm not an American.
2. Were I an American I would probably ally myself with the Democrats.
3. I find the hawkish, jingoistic political rhetoric difficult to take.
4. I never really knew who Senator McCain was other than the bloke who Obama beat when he became President. So it's only in the past year, with his high profile run-ins with Trump and his sudden death that McCain has really come to my attention.

Watching all of the footage of him on the TV and Internet he seemed to be a man of principle in a world (the US Senate) that at times has seemed completely unprincipled and massively partisan.

Many will already know the story of McCain, the son and grandson of Admirals, Naval fighter pilot, tortured Vietnam POW, US Senator and Presidential candidate. And whilst I was aware of some of this there was so much about him of which I was unaware and so much about him to admire.

In this memoir McCain begins by looking back at his Presidential campaign and it's highs and lows. He talks candidly about his mistakes and is honest about them and doesn't try to deflect them on to others.

He then goes onto look at his time in the Senate and what he sought to achieve in that time, outlining his vision of what US foreign policy should be. He is critical throughout of not just Trump but of the social Milieu that has given rise to him including Putin's Russia. There are times when this does stray into US triumphalism which is a shame but in some senses it is what it is.

My one gripe about the book is that he never looked at the issue of gun control and the continued spate of school shootings. It has been such a huge issue in the US in resent years that it feels a bit of a cop out not to have looked at it.

Whilst I don't think I would ever find myself agreeing with everything McCain believes in and supports I do feel I now understand where he was coming from and what he was hoping to achieve.

weasel8109's review against another edition

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4.0

Wonderful last treatment of a Maverick with integrity.

barkylee15's review

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4.0

This was my first political biography I've ever read. I'm not a political person, and usually this type of thing would bore me, but John McCain was a man that I think anyone on the political spectrum could respect. He was a true American politician, and I wish that all politicians would behave in the way in which he did. He was a man who knew his beliefs, would stick to them, but also could apologize for things he got wrong. He was a true champion of human rights, and he fought for them for his whole life.

My favorite chapter was the final chapter before the epilogue. Everyone, democrat or republican, should read it. It describes the way in which our political system should work instead of the intensely polarizing system it is today.

The epilogue was bittersweet as there are few times when someone writes an autobiography knowing that they will be dying soon. I may have shed a tear. Rest in Peace, John McCain.

Overall, it was an easy listen and I do recommend it to anyone.

harkless's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

__karen__'s review against another edition

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4.0

I didn't always agree with McCain's politics, but have always respected his service to the U.S. Interesting read.