Rating: 
Summary: True Heroism
Review: 'Faith of My Fathers' is the story of three men - the grandfather and father of John McCain, who created a legacy of a life in service for McCain (the third man) to follow. It is their legacies that led the young John McCain to the Naval Academy and to a career in the Navy. Yet the legacy of these two men is wrapped up in morals, values and patriotism - exactly what makes John McCain the great leader that he is.
This book is divided into three sections. It begins with the stories of McCain's grandfather, an admiral in the Navy who fought in WWII. His grandfather is depicted as a true seaman, complete with the language. He then goes on to talk about his father, another Navy admiral, who went on to serve as commander of the Pacific and entire naval force. Greatly influenced by his grandfather and father, McCain received a commission in the Navy and sought to distinguish himself through serving the United States in war. Unfortunately, that war happened to be Vietnam.
The third section of the book deals with McCain's experiences at the Naval Academy and his time as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. McCain recognizes that because of his 'celebrity' status (due to his father's top position), he wasn't mistreated as severely as other prisoners. His accounts of the heroism of these men are extraordinary; the pain they had to endure and the pain that broke them. POWs were forced to make fake confessions, to listen to their former comrades condemn them in public, and to pretend that they were being treated humanely for the world audience.
Throughout his political career, McCain has been known as a POW of Vietnam, yet this is not how he distinguishes himself. He took what he learned from his time as a prisoner and set about living his life, grateful for his experiences. At times the book fluctuates in time periods, which can get rather confusing. Besides the stories of his grandfather and father, and his time as a POW, McCain and co-author Mark Salter, weave in the world events - what went wrong in Vietnam, what could have gone right. McCain lets his opinion be known, but recognizes that terrible responsibility that comes in waging war. He has proven himself to be a hero worthy of admiration and the responsibility of leadership.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, Absorbing, Captivating Book
Review: I am not a person to read military history books, but happened, somehow, to stumble on the editorial review of this book, was extremely curious, and wanted to read more. I am glad I did. Faith of Our Fathers chronicles John McCain's Grandfather and Father, two incredibly impressive Naval Admirals in our country's history. I found the history of his father and grandfather, lively, amusing and very, very interesting. The chronicles were exceptionally written and lively - not at all boring and dry. John's candor and honesty on his expectations of following in the tradition of his forbearers at the Naval Academy, as well as filling unwritten expectations, and the high expectations that he placed on himself was a captivating read. Living so close to the Academy myself, it is even more interesting to read of life in the "Yard" and the strict discipline of the military. After reading this book, I know understand so much more. I was too young when Vietnam was really going on and vaguely recall the POWs being released. Nonetheless, I now have a new found admiration for these men and McCain goes to great lengths to name quite a few of these men and bestow recognition and thanks to all of them. I never quite understood the "military code" and again, came away with admiration and understanding for the men in the military and that entire way of life. In our day and age of high tech, it was refreshing to read of "heroes" and "patriotism". Our country could use more of these kinds of men and women. I was laughing and crying throughout this book and it was so heart wrenching to read of the POWs, but their faith and belief was inspiring, and the term heroes kept coming to mind, yes heroes - very much so. A quote that appealed to me from McCain, "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." Another one - "But in Vietnam I had come to understand how brief a moment a life is. For I had learned that you can fill the moment with purpose and experiences that will make your life greater than the sum of its days. I had learned to acknowledge my failings and to recognize opportunities for redemption." McCain is incredibly hard on himself for signing a confession and no one can fault or judge him for doing that. Put in his position, the torture and beatings for over 6 years - what would any of us have done? The sheer will and determination combined with the unbelievable hope, faith, and love of their country, as well as each other, kept these men alive. This remarkable story left me with admiration for the McCain men. Each generation has left an indelible mark on the continued freedom of this country. Each of these men showed what honor is and that honor was passed to each generation. I highly recommend this book to anyone - you will definitely walk away with a profound sense of admiration and new perspective on our military - I know I did.
Rating:
Summary: He Serves His Country
Review: A great book to read for all Americans, especially for non-military families. After reading this book, I began to understand the hardships and sacrifices that people in the military and their families must go through. I also knew very little about what happened in the South Pacific during WWII, what the various strategies were, the major battles, etc. before I picked up the book. The book was hard to put down, was very entertaining to read, at times lighthearted, at other times quite serious, especially during the time McCain was in a POW camp in Vietnam. I liked how the stories were told, I almost felt I were close by, on the scene, and witnessing these events. At times, the military lingo was, let me tell you, totally Greek to me, but I felt I was immersed in naval culture which made the book even more fun to read. McCain is one of the very few Republicans I like; in fact, I greatly admire him! And I really believe that no one can say that he did not serve his country. He truly did and he continues to do so today.
Rating: 
Summary: What it's really like to be a POW!
Review: Although this book starts off a little slow, you need to know John's background to understand him and why he is where he is, at this time. What powerful family figures to look up to! As a Navy veteran myself, I really enjoyed this family memoir and due to his details of when he was a prisoner of war, I think this story will appeal to many readers, but even more so, to veterans or members of our services. He is to be admired for his endurance and faith!
Rating:
Summary: Great Man -- Good Book
Review: Autobiography that starts two generations ago. Those readers accustomed to the usual self-serving political memoir will be plesantly surprised. McCain's book begins with mini bios of both his father and his grandfather, hence the title. While the early third of the book dealing with his family tree may be a bit slow going once he gets into his own bio in the middle third, the book really starts to heat up.
John's willingness to reveal his own personal peccadillos and weaknesses is truly refreshing for a former and hopefully future Presidential candidate. For example, in the chapter entitled Low Grease, John recounts a quite hilarious anecdote about a visit to meet his girfriend's proper Main Line Philadelphia family for the first time. Unfortunately his train connections allowed him to accept the offers of several fellow travelers to join them for some beers. He relates how, after several hours of drinking at the 30th Street Station in Philly, he finally catches the last train to the girl's town. You can easily conjur the vision of him making his grand entrance wearing his Naval Academy Dress White Uniform.
The book really becomes a page-turner in the final third when John details in often excrutiating detail his time spent in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp now infamously known as the Hanoi Hilton. His descriptions are surprisingly not tinged with bitterness or rancor. Apparently enough time has elapsed to allow his mental (but not physical) wounds to heal. This period details how the POWs used various mental techniques to survive, how they created alternative means of communication, how they organized and how they relied on one another.
The book ends with his and his fellow POWs release from the POW camp. This abrupt ending clearly leaves the readers hungry for more information, more narrative of his post-POW life. Luckily there are other later John McCain volumes which are available to nourish the hungry reader. But that's another review.
This volume should be required reading for all students of the Vietnam War and for every American regardless of their age, race, gender or poltical party.
Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING WORK BY A REMARKABLE MAN
Review: FAITH OF MY FATHERS in John McCain's book about service, courage, duty, and family honor. The first 100 pages deals with McCain's grandfather and father. Both were admirals in the Navy. His grandfather fought in both World Wars and his father fought in WW2 through the Vietnam War where he was CINCPAC. McCain followed the family tradition of the Naval Academy and service as an aviator until he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967. While McCain was a POW at the notorious Hanoi Hilton, his father was in charge as CINCPAC, which caused him lenient treatment by his captors at the expense of his fellow prisoners.
Most remarkable about McCain's story is his self-deprecation, apology, and forgiveness. He often remarked that other prisoners were tortured more and treated far worse than himself because of his father's admiralty. (This from a man who endured two broken arms and a broken leg upon ejection from his downed aircraft and then received wholly inadequate medical care.) He has no reason to apologize, in this reader's estimation.
McCain refused early release and endured more torture for refusing to save his father embarrassment and preserve family honor. Touchingly, it is during McCain's imprisonment that he loved his country the most. Deprived of all he held dear he was thankful to be an American and all the privilege that entailed.
For a man who endured 6 years of torment, it is amazing to me how easily he forgives those who collaborated with the enemy, or misguidedly supported the antiwar movement at his expense. His forgiveness is not confined to those who were the worst offenders either. McCain extended his forgiveness to those who abused him earlier in life at the Naval Academy because they resented the station of his father and grandfather. McCain never named names, and surely spared many alive today the shame they richly earned.
John McCain comes off as a genuinely compassionate and thoughtful man. His words humble the reader in his love of country and sense of duty and honor.
The book ends with McCain's release by his captors, leaving the reader wanting to know much more about his career of continuing service to the United States and his attempt to become President. Truly an inspiring work.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, if a bit abbreviated
Review: Faith of My Fathers is John McCain's memoir of his service in the Vietnam war, with an extended prologue in which he introduces you to his father and grandfather, their deeds, and what these acts mean to him. It's interesting, but the memoir half of the book isn't that long and so it's somewhat less satisfying than it could be. McCain's grandfather and father were both admirals (the first father and son to both reach four star rank in the Navy's history). McCain the elder commanded aircraft carriers during WW2, under Admiral Halsey. Halsey is quoted as saying that McCain was "not much more than my right arm." McCain served during the last year of the war in command of Halsey's carriers or a large portion of them, and did so ably. The second McCain was a submarine commander during the same conflict, and was Commander in Chief of the Pacific during the Viet Nam War. He held this latter position when his son, the author of the book, was shot down over North Viet Nam and captured by the Vietnamese. Both father and grandfather appear to have been loyal, skilfull sailors who fought hard and lived harder, something that McCain apparently has done also. The faith of the title is less religious than it sounds, though the author makes it clear that he's Christian. Instead, the faith turns out to be an abiding attachment to the core values that officers in the armed services once held: being honorable, faithful to the flag and the uniform, loyal to their country, and of course conventionally rowdy (drinking and gambling too much, chiefly) but never anything that would raise anyone's eyebrows, really. There is a strong religious element to it, but it's not overwhelming. I enjoyed this book. McCain is an interesting and at times infuriating Republican, but he's also very up front abou what he considers his core beliefs and how he tries to hold on to them. The best parts of the book are the passages where he tells of the Vietnamese attempts to torture him and other prisoners into confessing to war crimes. He makes it clear that the war criminals weren't the captives. I would recommend this book, especially for those who wish to learn more about John McCain.
Rating:
Summary: A fair and moving account
Review: I am a Vietnam combat veteran, and I was pleasantly surprised by this book because almost everything in it was new to me. I knew very little about the careers of Senator McCain's grandfather and father, and even less about his harsh years as a POW in North Vietnam. My miserable year in combat pales in comparison to the horrible treatment these men received. I particularly enjoyed McCain's openness and honesty about his own shortcomings, his self-deprecating style, his dry sense of humor, his generous praise for others, and most of all his humility. I was also struck by the total lack of hostility expressed towards his captors. This is a very readable book and I found the author's personal insights into the Vietnam War both moving and powerful. Reading this made me proud to be an American, and it reminded me that we do have something special and unique to offer in the world, and how fortunate we are to have leaders like John McCain in our midst.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Patriot
Review: I couldn't put this book down. A great, smooth read about the three John McCains. An awesome family history that teaches about fathers and sons and wars. The relationships between these men were stronger than I imagined. I recommend this book to everyone to see how a true patriot serves their country.
Rating:
Summary: very moving story
Review: I often wonder how the being a POW would shake your resolve and faith for the country, and wonder if I could do it. After reading this book I am no closer to the dicision that I could survive it, but it makes you proud to know that there are americans like John Mccain out there. This book doesn't just cover the time in prision though, but rather his life up until he was released as well as the lives of his father and grandfather. A must read for anyone interested in history.
|
