gray_ghost's review against another edition
Moving, personal, and epic- this autobiography tells us much about the character of John McCain.
motormouth95's review against another edition
5.0
John McCain is one of the politicians whom I respect, even if I don't like their political views. This book proves why.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
I recently got to visit an Air Force base and briefly spend time in an F-16 simulator, and that caused me to bump this book up to the top of my reading list. (I know John McCain was in the Navy, not the Air Force, but I was curious to know more about life as a military pilot.) McCain obviously had a tremendous amount of respect for his father and grandfather. However, I found the beginning part of the book - when he talks about them - to be only mildly interesting. It's not objective enough to be true biography, and I don't have enough connection to them to be invested in learning their stories.
The reason you need to read this book is to read about McCain's experiences as a POW in Vietnam. Wow. What these men had to endure - for YEARS - is just incredible, in the literal sense of the word. I read a lot about the Vietnam war before traveling to Vietnam in 2012. What I read convinced me that this was a fight the US should have never involved itself in. This book hasn't changed my assessment, but it has given me insight into how important it was for the soldiers to feel the support of the American people.
The reason you need to read this book is to read about McCain's experiences as a POW in Vietnam. Wow. What these men had to endure - for YEARS - is just incredible, in the literal sense of the word. I read a lot about the Vietnam war before traveling to Vietnam in 2012. What I read convinced me that this was a fight the US should have never involved itself in. This book hasn't changed my assessment, but it has given me insight into how important it was for the soldiers to feel the support of the American people.
genius_koala's review against another edition
2.0
The book is good overall, there just needed to be transitions or some editing. It felt like sometimes the topic changed so abruptly from one paragraph to the next with no warning or connection to what was the subject of the chapter was.
rileykjones01's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
wildweasel105's review against another edition
5.0
Of all the biographies and memoirs written about American servicemen coming to terms with their humanity, few are as powerful and unforgettable as "Faith of My Fathers" by John S. McCain III.
McCain was almost certainly destined to be a Naval hero. John's father was a successful submarine commander and a grandson of a famous fleet admiral, who both served in WWII.
But, John's destiny was threatened by less than stellar behavior both in high school, and in the Naval Academy. By the time he graduated from the Academy in 1958, John had a reputation as somewhat of a rogue, a trouble maker who didn't always see eye to eye with authority. This notwithstanding, John recalls how his grandfather made the grade as a four-star admiral, and contributed to the crucial turning point of the Naval air war against the Japanese in 1944-1945. John also describes his father Jack, a highly respectable submariner who commandeered many combat missions against Japanese merchant and naval ships during the Pacific theater. Jack went on to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command during the Vietnam War, 1968-1972.
When John turns his memoirs to himself, he knew that he wanted to fly, as his grandfather did, and he also wanted to carry on the McCain tradition as a solid, dependable officer and gentleman.
His aviation career came to a dramatic end, when the fighter-bomber he was flying was shot down over Hanoi in 1967.
His captivity, and torture carried out by the North Vietnamese comprises the main part of his memoirs. For 5 1/2 years, John McCain endured inhumane acts of barbarism, as the war dragged on senselessly by the poor decisions made by Washington politicians.
John's true mettle was tested every day. Some days were far worse than others, but he kept his focus on the strength gained from his faith, duty and honor, all three of which were ingrained in him by his father and grandfather. Even though the North Vietnamese offered to release him a number of times, John refused, and made a stalwart effort to encourage his fellow prisoners simply by being a "thorn in the enemy's behind".
John was released in 1973 following the Paris Peace accords.
One of John's most enduring remarks was,
"Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone."
This was an outstanding book exemplary of the late Senator's remarkable strength of character.
McCain was almost certainly destined to be a Naval hero. John's father was a successful submarine commander and a grandson of a famous fleet admiral, who both served in WWII.
But, John's destiny was threatened by less than stellar behavior both in high school, and in the Naval Academy. By the time he graduated from the Academy in 1958, John had a reputation as somewhat of a rogue, a trouble maker who didn't always see eye to eye with authority. This notwithstanding, John recalls how his grandfather made the grade as a four-star admiral, and contributed to the crucial turning point of the Naval air war against the Japanese in 1944-1945. John also describes his father Jack, a highly respectable submariner who commandeered many combat missions against Japanese merchant and naval ships during the Pacific theater. Jack went on to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command during the Vietnam War, 1968-1972.
When John turns his memoirs to himself, he knew that he wanted to fly, as his grandfather did, and he also wanted to carry on the McCain tradition as a solid, dependable officer and gentleman.
His aviation career came to a dramatic end, when the fighter-bomber he was flying was shot down over Hanoi in 1967.
His captivity, and torture carried out by the North Vietnamese comprises the main part of his memoirs. For 5 1/2 years, John McCain endured inhumane acts of barbarism, as the war dragged on senselessly by the poor decisions made by Washington politicians.
John's true mettle was tested every day. Some days were far worse than others, but he kept his focus on the strength gained from his faith, duty and honor, all three of which were ingrained in him by his father and grandfather. Even though the North Vietnamese offered to release him a number of times, John refused, and made a stalwart effort to encourage his fellow prisoners simply by being a "thorn in the enemy's behind".
John was released in 1973 following the Paris Peace accords.
One of John's most enduring remarks was,
"Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone."
This was an outstanding book exemplary of the late Senator's remarkable strength of character.
steves_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This book would be a 3-star read, but having McCain read it added a star to the experience for me. The first part in which he tells the story of his grandfather and his dad during WWII was my favorite part of the book. The second third focuses on McCain's early years and his time at West Point. He was a pretty lousy student, but he came into his own when he had a chance at actual command. The final third of the book covers his time as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton. By the end of the book, the "campaign biography" elements in the book got a bit heavy handed. I was struck throughout by McCain's description of his reaction to adversity; it was always anger and belligerence. It got him through a lot, but it made me think that perhaps this would not be the best temperament for a president. I wonder if his career would have been different had this essential element of his character been different.
loufillari's review against another edition
4.0
Good little family memoir. It's titled Faith of My Fathers and dammit, he spoke about faith of his fathers. And being a POW. He made it sound treacherous, which was probably the goal.
I've been debating between three and four stars all day but this story was nerve-wracking and intense. Honestly, I'm frightened of what Mac Kane will do to me if he finds out I only rated this three stars.
I've been debating between three and four stars all day but this story was nerve-wracking and intense. Honestly, I'm frightened of what Mac Kane will do to me if he finds out I only rated this three stars.
pdx_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! Horrible Presidential Candidate! :)
Go Obama!
Go Obama!
coolhand773's review
4.0
A stirring memoir about (and by) John McCain's military ancestry. He traces the military career of his grandfather to his father to his own career in the Navy. I enjoyed this autobiography very much. It is very evenly and plainly written and I appreciated that. He doesn't dwell on his own accomplishments too long and gives credit where credit is due. This is the story of 3 true American heroes.
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