Faith of My Fathers

Version: Abridged
Author: John McCain
Narrator: John McCain , Mark Salter
Genres: Biographies
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: February 2008
Length: 4 hours, 50 minutes
Ratings:
Formats :
  • MP3
  • M4B
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Overview

John McCain's grandfather was rail-thin, a gaunt, hawk-faced man known as Slew by his fellow officers and affectionately as Popeye by the sailors who served under him. McCain Sr. played the horses, drank bourbon and water, and rolled his own cigarettes with one hand. More significantly, he was one of the navy's greatest commanders, and led the aircraft carrier of the Third Fleet in key battles during World War II.

John McCain's father fallowed a similar path, one equally distinguished by heroic service in the navy as a submarine commander during World War II. McCain Jr. was a slightly built man, but, like his father, he earned the respect and affection of his men. He, too, rose to the rank of four-star admiral, making the McCains the first family in American history to achieve that distinction. McCain Jr.'s final assignment was commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific during the Vietnam War.

It was in the Vietnam War that John McCain III faced the most difficult challenge of his life. A naval officer, he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 and seriously injured. When Vietnamese millitary officers realized he was the son of the top commande, they offered McCain early release in an effort to embarass the United States. Acting from a sense of honor taught to him by his father and the U.S. Naval Academy, McCain refused the offer. He was tortured, held in solitary confinement, and imprisoned for five and a half years.

This memoir is the story of what McCain learned from his grandfather and father, and how their example enabled him to endure these hard years. It is a story of three imperfect men who faced adversity and emerged with their honor intact. Ultimately, Faith of My Father is a story of fathers and sons, what they give each other and what endures.

Selected Reviews

Faith of my Fathers

by Jean
  • Book Rating: 5/5

Faith of My Fathers

by Traci
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 7

Reviews (7)

Faith of my Fathers

Written by Jean from Santa Cruz, CA on September 30th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I knew that McCain's Father and Grandfather were Navy men but I had not known that his family were Army before that all the way back to G. Washington's staff. This was a very interesting story and McCain read it in a matter of fact voice. Did not feel he was bragging at any time. He is an interesting man who has been tested to the max and came out as a honorable man. A must read for everyone.

Faith of My Fathers

Written by Traci from Portland, OR on May 7th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This started off rocky for me. I didn't really understand the first combat scene. After that I really got into it. John McCain is an amazing, honorable man, but he doesn't build himself up, he just tells it like it was and is very humble.

Faith of My Fathers

Written by Mike Rhodes on October 29th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Wow... an amazing, powerful story, especially when read by the man himself!! We need a congress full of John McCains!!

Faith of My Fathers

Written by Katrina on February 5th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 4/5

This book on the whole was very good the only part I had trouble with was in regards to his grandfather and the battles , during that time I was confused and skipped over a good part of it. The rest of the book was great ,How can men do these terrible things to each other. Senator McCain was very honest and I hope there is a part two in the works for this book.

John McCain on Serving a Higher Cause

Written by Joseph Schleimer on October 18th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

However you felt about the Vietnam War, you will wind up admiring John McCain after reading (listening to) his book. With humility, self-criticism and without a trace of self-pity he speaks of his own shortcomings as a student at Annapolis, his eagerness to participate in a war, and even the weakness which led him to ultimately sign a fake "confession" while a POW. At the end, however, you know this is a man of the highest virtue, and his willingness to illuminate his own failures merely makes him that much more of an icon for the rest of us to emulate. Too many politicians speak about "values" as a hollow political slogan. This man knows the meaning of the word.

Amazing Story

Written by George Lewis from Helena, AL on January 7th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Fantastic book! Unbelievable story! I am in awe of this man! Should be president.

A Remarkable Man

Written by Pyffe on October 8th, 2004

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Good book. Lots of information about McCain's background including details of his time as a POW. Senator McCain's love of the USA, his dedication to it, and his family history of defending it are all described. We are given a unique glimpse into the psyche of the man, not just a flat recitation of what happened to him and other POWs in the various prison camps. The media tends to depict POWs and returning war soldiers as having certain mental "issues". It is clear from his writing that Sen. McCain's mind remains clear and his purpose focused. This is the story of a truly remarkable man.

Selected Reviews

Faith of my Fathers

by Jean
  • Book Rating: 5/5

Faith of My Fathers

by Traci
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 7

Author Details

Author Details

McCain, John

"Throughout his public career, John McCain has been a leader in the most critical issues facing our country. He has waged a determined and often solitary campaign against pork barrel spending, fighting for ten years to pass a line item veto. He has been a persistent proponent of lower taxes, deregulation and free trade. He has become one of Congress' most respected voices for a strong national defense, and for sound foreign policy.

John McCain has been an outspoken advocate for the reform of government institutions, and he has fought to change campaign finance, something at which he succeeded in 2002.

John McCain was first elected to represent the state of Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. As a long time admirer of Ronald Reagan, McCain was an early foot soldier in the ""Reagan Revolution."" He served two terms in the House before being elected to the Senate in 1985. He was re-elected to a third Senate term in November 1998. In that election, he received nearly 70% of the vote, a total which included 65% of the women's vote, 55% of the Hispanic vote, and even 40% of the Democrats.

Senator McCain is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and has in that capacity become a recognized leader on telecommunications and aviation issues, stressing the need to promote competition and government deregulation in the industries that are so important to the growth of the economy.

Senator McCain has received numerous awards in addition to the Paul H. Douglas Ethics in Government award, which he received with Senator Russ Feingold for his efforts at campaign finance reform. In 1997, he was named one of the ""25 Most Influential People in America"" by Time magazine.

The son and grandson of prominent Navy admirals, John McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1958, McCain began a twenty-two year career as a naval aviator. In 1967, he was shot down over Vietnam and held as a prisoner-of-war in Hanoi for five and a half years (1967-1973), much of it in solitary confinement. He retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1981. McCain's naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.

John McCain tells what he learned about life and honor from his father and grandfather, both four-star admirals in the U.S. Navy, in his best-selling family memoir, ""Faith of My Fathers."" The book, detailing McCain's early life and military career, spent 24 weeks on the New York Times ""Best Sellers"" list.

Senator McCain has seven children and four grandchildren. He and his wife, Cindy, reside in Phoenix."

Salter, Mark

Jonathan Bousfield is an experienced freelance writer and author of Rough Guides to Croatia, the Baltic States, Bulgaria, Austria and a regular contributor to the Rough Guide to Europe.