Rating: 
Summary: Stop Whining About Al Gore...
Review: ...it's John McCain who should be President. And he would be too, if Dubya hadn't...well, that's a whole other story and besides, what's done is done. But don't expect any political polemics on the pages of this book. What's here is simply a straightforward but gripping recounting of one of the more interesting and heroic men of the last half of the twentieth century. If John Wayne were alive, he'd be a John McCain wannabe. Look up "hombre" in the dictionary and you'll find McCain's picture grinning back at you. Without a trace of self-serving didactics, this compelling autobiography demonstrates the meanings of the terms "real man" and "true American." And Big John's honest, sometimes hilarious descriptions of his own foibles and imperfections only enhance the luster of his super-sized character. John McCain is a real throwback, a roguish raconteur who's as common as dirt and as rare as honesty. This book will make you laugh and it will make you cry, but mostly it will make you proud - proud of John McCain and proud of the America that produced him.
Rating: 
Summary: I enjoyed reading it.
Review: It is a good book if you have time and interest to learn more about background of John McCain. I enjoyed reading his book, however, I was not sure why McCain went in extensive detail pertaining to his Grandfather. When I purchased the book I was more keen on learning about McCain and his ideology rather then his family history. Nonetheless, learning more about his family history assisted me to understand him in terms of why he has certain policies. By reading this book I realized that Mr. McCain is a very enlightened man regardless the fact if I agree or disagree with his certain policies.
Rating:
Summary: As good as they come
Review: All books by elected officials are designed to persuade you to vote for them. McCain's book is no exception, but it is one of the most thoughtful and entertaining such works in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Trying times of an American Hero
Review: John McCain is somewhat of an enigma in the world of politics. He's a maverick who frequently bumps heads with members of his own party. He is a man who has a fiery temper that daunts even the most hard-shelled opponent, and steel resolve that no one can crack, especially on matters McCain is truly passionate about. He is a man who could very well win a Presidential election, but, paradoxically, can't win his own party's nomination. John McCain's record as a Vietnam P.O.W. and war hero is well-known. Yet, the degree to which the man behind the story is known is realized to a much lesser degree. "Faith of My Fathers" gives an McCain's extraordinarily readable account of his background the influences of the two men he loved and respected most in life: his father and grandfather. John McCain had quite the legacy to live up to in terms of his grandfather's and father's Naval service records. Both men achieved the rank of 4-star admiral (his grandfather posthumously, and this is the only instance where a father and son both achieved the highest rank in any of the military services). It's quite likely that, had John McCain not endured 5 years as a P.O.W., he may very well have achieved the very same rank (he retired from the service as a Captain). The ironic twist the stellar service all three men gave to the Navy is that none of them were great students at the Naval Academy. In fact, each generation seemed to get progressively worse when it came to Academy performance. McCain's grandfather was not a spectacular student by any stretch of the imagination and finished in the bottom quarter of his class. His father was even worse, as he was considered such a degenerate by some of the Academy officials that he was forced to spend his senior year bunked in a cramped, uncomfortable ship on the docks at Annapolis. John kept the tradition going by finishing 5th from the bottom of his graduating class and almost accruing enough demerits to be ousted during his senior year. Their respective records in active service demonstrated that the Academy days were just blips on the radar. His grandfather was among the first senior Naval officers to truly embrace Naval Aviation and served with distinction in Admiral Halsey's carrier task force in the latter days of World War II. His father was not able to qualify for the flight program, so he focused his efforts on becoming a top submariner. He was a stellar sumbarine commander and eventually became commander of the Pacific Fleet during Vietnam. The examples set by his grandfather and father imbued John McCain with a fervent love of the Navy and a strong sense of duty and honor that would become his rock during his years of captivity."Faith of My Fathers", which explores the backgrounds of his family and his own Academy days, is mostly about those trying years being held prisoner in Vietnam and how the strength built in him by his family helped him survive (hence the title). John McCain was a Naval fighter pilot and was shot down over Vietnam in 1967. So much of him was broken when he was finally captured, that he was not even able to stand for several weeks. Some wonderful fellow prisoners helped nurse him back to health and his renewed strength allowed him to withstand the repeated beatings doled out by North Vietnamese. Despite one occurrence where they actually broke him, McCain stood true and firm to Military Code of Conduct and did not betray his country or his fellow prisoners. Even when the Vietnamese found out about his legacy and volunteered to send him home early, he refused because there were men who had been imprisoned longer than he, and he would not accept freedom until at least they had received it, too. As a result, he remained a prisoner until 1972 when treaty negotiations led the release of most all P.O.W.'s. McCain's writing style has a smooth narrative flow that doesn't smack of the self-congratulation that many biographies of politicians do. He shows a degree of humility that makes him a person a reader can easily get behind. One major element that shines through in his writing is his depiction of life as a Prisoner-of-War. He shows the reader who the conditions were rather than telling them. His characterizations of his fellow prisoners vividly depicts how many of them dealt with their ordeal and what factors may have affected decisions they made. Some completely broke and some were just weak and sacrificed the Code of Conduct for personal game, while others (McCain among them), drew strength from within and adapted their situation with surprising innovation. They worked from the belief that the greater good was served by their continued suffering. The timing of the release of "Faith of My Fathers" could be construed as a ploy to boost recognition during with presidential campaign when, in truth, it's a historical account whose time had come and will be well-read in the years to follow.
Rating:
Summary: A True American Hero
Review: This memoir of John McCain is truly a splendid work. I snatched this book up during the 2000 primaries and almost instantly became a devout McCain supporter. McCain is candid about his lackluster performance in the Naval Academy, and his sense of reverence for his father and grandfather permate this book - a refreshing example of the value of strong father figures. Although the book is mostly about McCain's experience in Vietnam, one cannot help but be awed by what this great American sacraficed for his country. John McCain is a true American hero who fights for what he believes in, and who refuses to sell out to anyone or anything - a rarity in modern American politics.
Rating:
Summary: A Storybook Life
Review: Mark Salter does a superb job of telling the life-story of Senator John S. McCain in "Faith of My Fathers". "Faith of My Fathers" begins with the McCain family, their legacy in the US Navy, its effect on John, his upbringing, and how all these events led to his humbled heroics during the Vietnam confrontation. McCain remains steadfast that he was just one individual who fought in that confrontation, and survived detainment, but this book proves that he was much more. From the Fire on the Forestall to the Hanoi Hilton, John McCain rehashes memories of hero's past, in an emotional and patriotic marvel of biographical writing. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Vietnam, politics, and/or Senator McCain.
Rating:
Summary: Much more than a memoir
Review: This book is much more than what it advertizes; a family memoir. It is a celebration of the character of the armed services. The composed of three parts. The first two correspond to his grandfather and fathers careers, the last one to his unitl his release from the POW camps. Those first two parts boil over with affection. The sort of affection you would see with a son admiring his father. In a way it is a counterpoint to the third part. The last part deals with his Naval career. It is pretty bland (although quite informative) until the point where he is captured. Then it turns into an moving testimonial of the heroism of the Viet-nam POWs. I do not see how I can give a proper example of the narratives, but I can say this. I've had grown men admit that they were close to tears while reading that part. In it McCain ruthlessly questions himself and re-evaluates his own life. I could not find any political plugs, any attempts of self-glorification. Just a man fighting his past demons. As for the book, it was a page turner. I simply could not put it down until I finished it. My personal opinion is that it contains valuable accounts, especially on the role of the military and so on. The only instance I would not recomend it is if you are hard core anti-Vietnam, it will just be a waste of money for you. Go with an open mind, try to keep the political aspect out (at least in the first read), and keep in mind this is not a literary masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Story
Review: Faith of My Fathers, by Senator John McCain, is a family history. McCain, a navy pilot, recounts the story of his family in three parts: one each about his grandfather, his father and himself. Service in the US Navy is the core fact of the McCain family members' lives, and McCain writes about it with passion. The book is arranged chronologically, beginning with the story of his grandfather (a four star admiral), then moving on to his father (also a four star admiral) and finally discussing Senator McCain, who didn't quite make it to admiral, owing partially, perhaps, to a long detour in a Vietnamese POW camp. You can't help but feel as you read the book that McCain is gradually educating the reader in the same way he himself came to understand the sense of duty that is common to the three generations of McCain's: by day after day of example. The chapters read quickly and hold the reader's interest. The topics may be of more interest to a McCain that to the rest of us, but you won't be tempted to put down the book, as it always leaves you with a hint of things to come, and I often felt that what I was reading would prepare me for material later in the book. A word of warning, however: if you dislike historical or military topics, then this book isn't for you. If, though, you'd like a glimpse inside this influential US Senator and prospective presidential candidate, this book won't disappoint. McCain leaves little hidden in this frank and honest coverage of his life. Few presidential hopefuls, I think, would be so frank about their shortcomings as John McCain is. I was particularly surprised by the vivid descriptions of McCain's personal conflict as a POW: he realized that he received preferential treatment because of his father's rank. But I got the sense that rather than making it easier on him, the better treatment simply made it harder to accept the difficult conditions. It also seems to have amplified his consciousness of the need to adhere to the demands of duty. I recommend this book without reservation, with the previous exceptions. It will definitely make you think about this intriguing person. It might also make you think about parts of your own character.
Rating:
Summary: A hero
Review: I have to say that after 9/11/01, I saw John McCain
on TV speaking of his days being a POW. And I was
in awe of his book. How he survived was of pure
love for the USA. I am so glad he wrote this wonderful
book, you feel as if you are a POW as well. This
book gets more than 5 stars, I would say 10 stars.
The next time I hear someone being so unhappy in there
life, my advice would be to talk to John or read his
wonderful book. It will not let you down. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: This is a politician?
Review: When I first read this book, I could not believe that its author was a presidential candidate. The book has no politicizing - instead it is a very moving and eye opening look at one man's journey into the depths of hell, and back. McCain's writing is impressive and accessible at the same time. It reads pretty quickly despite some dry spots in the middle. For those only interested in political writing, this is not the book for you. For anyone interested in the effects of war, prison, torture, and the enduring power of the human spirit, this book will be a very engaging read.
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