Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House

	Title: Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life Purchase Item Manufacturer: Random House List Price: $17.00 Our Price: $7.64
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Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House The Definition of Courage
In a day and age when words are often misused or overused, their meaning can get lost in translation. Too often we ascribe definitions or actions to words and leach away their power and potency. Such a word is courage, and Senator John McCain sets out to right that wrong, to bring back a definition and actions that can truly be described as courageous and not just masquerade in its disguise. Whom better to write a book on courage than a man who survived a severe and torturous imprisonment during the Vietnam War? But ever the humble man that he is, McCain downplays his own past and instead relates how he drew strength from the examples of courage shown by those imprisoned with him, not from his own courage that faltered him too many times. This book is part essay, part admonition, and part brief biography of a variety of characters, all real people who have shown remarkable courage in the face of impossible odds and overwhelming dangers. From tales of unbelievable bravery on battlefields in WWII and the Korean war, to resistance efforts during WWII and against the oppresive Burmese government, to a steadfast nonviolent civil rights agitator, McCain uses remarkable stories to show how remarkable courage can be and how it should rightly be defined. "Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life" is a quick read, with profound examinations of what it takes to desire courage within our lives and how to live in pursuit of it everyday. The brief biographical sketches are well-written and concise, offering insight into the ways situation can shape bravery in ordinary people, and relishing some perhaps little or unknown people to hold up as exemplars of this ideal. It leaves one examining their own life to see if they hold that spark to desire courage and the ideals that promote it, to honor those who have shown courage so that we can continue to be free, and to overcome the fears that threaten to hold us back.
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House A Noble Effort Falls Short
When I first learned that U.S. Senator John McCain, former Vietnam prisoner-of-war with a great patriotic reputation, wrote a book about courage, I thought it would be an instant favorite of mine. I am not exactly sure what I expected before I read it, but I am certain that I was disappointed after reading it. I believe McCain took a very difficult subject and gave it his best efforts, but his well-intentioned efforts fell short of their mark. Overall, I thought the book was a non-cohesive collection of choppy and, at times, difficult to read narrative around some excellent stories and examples of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences who demonstrated courage in their lives. Scattered throughout the book were some very insightful and inspiring passages, such as, "...the standard for courage...acts that risk life or limb or other very serious personal injuries for the sake of others or to uphold a virtue...." and "Fear is the opportunity for courage, not proof of cowardice." I also respect, and was impressed by McCain's honesty and humility in readily admitting to, and, in more than a few instances, describing what he considered to be some of his failures in courage opportunities. I certainly applaud McCain's willingness to share his personal perspectives on a topic that is so universally recognized, but so difficult to describe, predict, and demonstrate. I know I learned some things about courage and about myself from reading this book, but I wanted and expected more from a man of McCain's background and stature.
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House Good message but wordy and redundant
This book is ok, but it's too long and wordy for what it's saying. The message is great, but it could be presented on a 3x5 card instead. I much preferred his book, "Character Is Destiny." That book profiles courageous people throughout history in small distinct biographies. It's aimed at a young audience. During the summer, I had my sons read one each day and then we would talk about that person at the dinner table. We all enjoyed it and it kept them polished on their reading and their history through the summer. Recommend that you skip this book and get "Character Is Destiny" instead.
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House Too bad that the book wasn't longer!
In WHY COURAGE MATTERS by John McCain with Mark Salter, the author points out that "we are taught to understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fears" . . . he then presents a series of real-life stories that vividly depict just why this is true. They ranged from the tale of 1960s civil rights leader John Lewis, who said, "When I care about something, I'm prepared to take the long, hard road" (and he did) to Hannah Senesh, who in protecting her comrades in the Hungarian resistance against Hitler's SS, chose a martyr's death over a despot's mercy . . . I liked the wide diversity of other individuals who were profiled, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Sgt. Roy Benavidez and Navajo leaders Manuelito and Barboncito. McCain uses these tales to intertwine his theories as to their significance . . . as he so eloquently points out, "'If you do the things you think you cannot do, you'll feel your resistance, your hope, your dignity, and your courage grow stronger every time you prove it. You will someday face harder choices that very well might require more courage. You're getting ready for them. You're getting ready to have courage. And when those moments come, unbidden but certain, and you choose well, your courage will be recognized by those who matter most to you. When your children see you choose, without hesitating, without remark, to value virtue more than security, to love more than you fear, they will learn what courage looks like and what love it serves, and they will dread its absence." Adding to my enjoyment of WHY COURAGE MATTERS was that McCain also did the narration . . . I only wish that the book had been longer; it was that interesting . . . perhaps McCain will write a follow-up volume; i.e., if he's not too busy running for and then becoming our next president. (A reviewer can hope, can't he?)
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House Interesting idea, not executed fully
I looked forward to reading John McCain's "Why Courage Matters," expecting a poignant semi-philisophical essay from a public figure I admired. McCain essentially discusses courage in its many forms, the necessity of courage in daily life and how children should be taught to have courage. His problem is that he fails to clear up what he really thinks about courage--muddying his distinctions and changing his mind. For example, he says we need fear to have courage, but then he speaks of acting fearlessly. At the beginning, he says we do not need courage to act in a post-Sept. 11 world, then, at the end, he says the opposite. Another place McCain falters is in his portraits of courageous people, which occassionally go on too long. Overall, though, "Why Courage Matters" is very readable and will stimulate thought, even if it doesn't try to pursuade us of anything.
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by Random House Product Description
“Courage,” Winston Churchill explained, is “the ﬁrst of human qualities . . . because it guarantees all the others.” As a naval officer, P.O.W., and one of America’s most admired political leaders, John McCain has seen countless acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. Now, in this inspiring meditation on courage, he shares his most cherished stories of ordinary individuals who have risked everything to defend the people and principles they hold most dear. “We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear but the capacity for action despite our fears,” McCain reminds us, as a way of introducing the stories of ﬁgures both famous and obscure that he ﬁnds most compelling—from the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to Sgt. Roy Benavidez, who ignored his own well-being to rescue eight of his men from an ambush in the Vietnam jungle; from 1960s civil rights leader John Lewis, who wrote, “When I care about something, I’m prepared to take the long, hard road,” to Hannah Senesh, who, in protecting her comrades in the Hungarian resistance against Hitler’s SS, chose a martyr’s death over a despot’s mercy. These are some of the examples McCain turns to for inspiration and offers to others to help them summon the resolve to be both good and great. He explains the value of courage in both everyday actions and extraordinary feats. We learn why moral principles and physical courage are often not distinct quantities but two sides of the same coin. Most of all, readers discover how sometimes simply setting the right example can be the ultimate act of courage. Written by one of our most respected public ﬁgures, Why Courage Matters is that rare book with a message both timely and timeless. This is a work for anyone seeking to understand how the mystery and gift of courage can empower us and change our lives.