Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir

Beautifully written ❤️

I decided to read this book after returning from a trip to Vietnam during which we visited the "Hanoi Hilton", (aka Hỏa Lò Prison) where John McCain spent a portion of his 5 years as a POW. The memorabilia and historical displays at the museum are clearly propaganda, showing the prisoners decorating a Christmas tree, playing ball, writing letters to family.... not at all the deprivation and mistreatment that we all know occurred in the POW facilities.The first half of the book covers the long history of McCain's grandfather and father in their distinguished naval careers, both of whom achieved the rank of 4-star admirals. McCain's father was promoted to CINCPAC, commanding the entire Pacific Fleet during the final years of the Vietnam War while his son was still in prison. McCain knew from an early age that he would follow in the footsteps of these proud men. The military life was all they knew. He was quite frank about his behavioral issues and low academic achievement during his time at the Naval Academy, but managed to do just enough to make it through and become a naval pilot. He openly admits that during his time at the Academy he embarked on a "four-year course of insubordination and rebellion." McCain writes that "the most important lesson I learned there was that to sustain my self-respect for a lifetime it would be necessary for me to have the honor of serving something greater than my self-interest."The second half of the book covers the 5 years that McCain spent as a POW in Hanoi. He wrote in excruciating detail about the suffering from his serious injuries, the lack of medical treatment, the starvation, solitary confinement, as well as emotional and physical abuse and torture. He spares no detail in an unflinching, almost dispassionate voice. The most interesting part of the POW experience was the manner in which the POW’s communicated by tapping out words in code, and how important that connection was to them. The prison guards knew that the single thing that would break down a man more than physical abuse was depriving them of interaction and communication with other prisoners. McCain speaks with gratitude and warmth of other faithful prisoners who demonstrated courage and fortitude – the bonds they formed during imprisonment are unlike any other.McCain and his co-writer Mark Salter have written 6 books together, and it’s impossible to know which words belong to which writer, however the end result is a seamless story well told. The only criticism of “Faith of My Fathers” is that the time-line, particularly during the prison years, is somewhat disjointed. Rather than maintaining a chronological flow, the book jumps around a bit, resulting in quite a bit of repetition. Nevertheless, it is a moving story of endurance and the indomitable human spirit to survive.

This reader has voted for the Democrat in all of the nine previous elections.In 2008, this is about to change.Not for the party, but for the man. And for the country.Today, John McCain has what he and his fellow students at the Naval Academy called "Good Grease".As McCain talks about in his discussion of his family's military history, the McCains are what Evan Thomas has described in Newsweek as "part of a warrior caste that has been fighting America's battles for more than two centuries".McCain covers his family's military history in America, and takes the reader through his grandfather, John "Slew" McCain's years in the Naval Academy, and those of his own father, and their subsequent careers.John McCain freely admits his weaknesses and flaws as well as his strengths. Reading this book, I took from it a tale of a man growing from being a rebel to being an independent leader, while still holding on to a cetain amount of that rebel. In later years, this would serve him well."Faith Of My Fathers" covers John's inspiration he took from his fellow prisoners in Hanoi. A tale that has made the rounds of many chain e-mails is the story he tells in full detail of fellow prisoner Mike Christian, who had sewn a crude U. S. Flag on the inside of his jacket, and used it for his fellow prisoners to recite the Pledge of Allegience each day.I served in the Navy in the early 1970s, and I remember when they also trained us on the Code of Conduct for Prisoners of War. Reading his book, I became aware that there is really no adequate training that can fully prepare any man for imprisonment by an enemy during a war.But there is a Code of Conduct to point the way.The man who was formed in the crucible of war and imprisonment also knows what's expected of the brave men and women of our Armed Forces in these times. And he PERSONALLY knows exactly what the next Commander-In-Chief will be required to ask of them."Faith Of My Fathers" is the story of how a family heritage, John McCain's own rebelliousness, and his imprisonment in North Vietnam, and the inspiration he took from his fellow prisoners there, all combined to forge the man he is today.If he becomes our next President, this is a great insight into the mind of the man who could be our next Commander-In-Chief.I highly recommend this book,and this life-long Democrat also endorsesJohn McCain for President in 2008.This man has The Right Stuff.Doug PeschkaU. S. Navy Veteran

This book is so well written from McCain’s 5 years as a POW. Regardless what you think about the USA’s involvement in Vietnam, this account speaks to what makes a man & what buries him.

The pain and suffering endured by US military aircrew (and others) held in North Vietnam's infamous Hanoi Hilton and other Prisoner of War camps is the backdrop to this excellent, modestly written book charting 3 generations of the McCain family who all held high rank in the US Navy. I would recommend it on several levels - to those interested in naval/aviation history; to philosophers, and to those inspired by human courage and fortitude. (I would also recommend Jim Stockdale's book 'A Vietnam Experience' for further tales of courage in the face of inhuman barbarism.)

Great

Excellent condition; great fast service; book arrived on time no probs

My sister loved this book.

Excellent condition and worth a read