And Other Appreciations - Great Fights

The book is written just the same as McCain spoke. I could hear him speaking as I read. An admittedly imperfect man, he speaks with the freedom of a terminally ill human being, reminding us that while our differences may define us, our similarities bind us.

A fitting final statement by a true American hero. His humor and humility, evident throughout the book, are an example for us all. There is harsh criticism and fulsome praise of both friends and foes, and he spares himself least of all. Depressing to think this is his and Salter's last collaboration. Practically a text on how to be a true patriot.

McCain shares the wisdom of aging and the perspective of fairness in hindsight. Reading this makes one hope that there are younger patriots who will take up the Senator’s sense of duty and true patriotism. I often disagreed with his politics over the years but I will long respect his dedication to country and to guiding the world to a better place. Our current President has not the wisdom, compassion or decency that Senator McCain has in his little finger. Thank you Senator for your service, your passion and your decency.

UPDATE: On Saturday, August 25, America lost another great lion in the Senate. RIP.

In preparing for my review of John McCain’s most recent memoir, I went searching for quotes pertaining to patriotism and nationalism. As I did so, I found one that struck home for me, due to my many years living in countries other than the United States:

The proper means of increasing the love we bear our native country is to reside some time in a foreign one – William Shenstone.
Demakis, Joseph. The Ultimate Book of Quotations (p. 390). Kindle Edition.

Living in a country, as your choice, will not only increase your love and appreciation for your own country, it will foster a better understanding and, often, increase your empathy for those people fighting daily to survive in their country. At least this proved true for me.

Of course, John McCain, while serving in the navy, did spend some years living in another country, but it was not due to his choice, unless you consider that his choice was to serve his country in combat against people who would capture and torture him. That is about as clean a segue as I can muster for this review of “The Restless Wave.”

BLUSH FACTOR: The writing is free of almost all profanities. So clean that you can feel free to read this to most any audience. Indeed, if you have any interest American History during the second half of the 20th Century, or in American politics, I implore you to read this book or listen to the Audible edition, narrated by John McCain and Beau Bridges.

What most comes through in this narrative is, John McCain has matured into a statesman, rather than living always true to the ‘Maverick’ label that is so often ascribed to him. Perhaps it is that transition that doomed his campaign in 2008, but I’ll leave that for others with brighter insight than I have.

As to the writing, I am, frankly, going to tell it as I see it. As with most senior elected officials who are recollecting their successes, errors, friendships and adversaries, and doing so while maintaining dignity and composure, McCain comes across a bit too careful or respectful, than today’s political pundits, inside-the-beltway politicians and whatnot. I state this with admiration and respect, but, I also admit I would have taken pleasure in reading something written with a little more spice and flair.

In other words, McCain has been sincere, but without rancor. These days, many express dismay (while others take great glee) when hearing or reading of comments of the people currently working in the White House.

I may be wrong, but, I’m thinking he expressed himself in this way to maximize his legacy. I suspect then-candidate Donald Trump hurt Senator John McCain much when he said, “I appreciate heroes who don’t get captured.” Rather than punch back, the elder statesman simply now states his preference that President Donald Trump not attend his funeral.

To be sure, there is plenty of discussion on other politicians, including Trump. None of the arrows in his quiver, though, had any poison applied to their tips. For a better understanding of what I am trying to convey, please glance at the below excerpt.

EXCERPT

NOTE – You’ve probably read or heard an excerpt in which McCain indicates his regret in choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin instead of Sen. Joe Lieberman. I recall Palin telling the news media she felt like she had been gut-punched. Perhaps she will take some solace from this excerpt, in which McCain tells us what he loved about her and why he chose her:

‘…I liked her right away. She spoke with genuine passion about government reform and fighting corruption. She acknowledged our differences, but noted that we shared an independent streak that put the country above party. She is uncannily self-possessed, and has an authentic warmth as a campaigner. I sensed how appealing a performer she would be, and her self-confidence allayed concerns we had that she might not be able to withstand the scrutiny and rigors of a presidential campaign. I walked away from our meeting confident that she could. Whatever stumbles she would have in the blindingly intense experience she was about to enter would be on us, on our judgment, not hers.

Cindy sat with Sarah after we finished our conversation, and showed her around the place while I talked with Salter and Schmidt. I’d spoken to A. B. earlier, who counseled that she would be a “high risk, high reward” pick. He saw her appeal and potential, and the vulnerabilities that could be exposed by the battering of a national campaign that can test the fortitude of more experienced politicians. Salter worried that Sarah’s scant exposure to national politics, and her self-admitted knowledge deficiency in national security issues, would undermine the experience advantage we had over Obama. He argued for Tim Pawlenty. Schmidt made the case for her, which essentially boiled down to “she could shake up the race and the other candidates can’t.” She was a fresh face, an outspoken reformer, a wife and mother who had fought the special interests and won. She could appeal to conservative Democrats and women voters not yet sold on Obama or me. She was tough and could handle pressure. She was smart, hardworking, and willing to learn. We had three opportunities, he argued, to stop the race from trending inevitably to the challenger in an environment where over 70 percent of voters believed the country was going in the wrong direction: my vice president selection, my convention speech, and the debates. If we failed to use any one of those opportunities to convince voters we would bring change to Washington, we would lose. Sarah was the biggest change message on the list of possible choices. I thought Schmidt made the better argument probably because it echoed my own thoughts about Sarah and the challenges ahead. I walked back to the deck of our house where Cindy and Sarah were sitting, and offered her the nomination. We talked a while longer, then she left with Salter and Schmidt to fly to Dayton, Ohio, where we would announce her the day after the Democratic convention had closed with Obama’s soaring acceptance speech…’

McCain, John. The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations (Kindle Locations 786-804). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.

BOTTOM LINE

If I were rating this book based on my respect and admiration for John McCain, I would rate it five stars. I am, however, rating the writing and my feelings as I read it. How did it affect me?

Four stars out of five.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book - thankful McCain omitted his usual profanity and stuck to his amazing foreign policy experience and travels. I read it through on my Kindle and learned a lot about our government and others during the past few decades as McCain carefully discussed his years in the Senate and why he believes America is exceptional. His opinions are interesting; he is candid and sincere. He did the world a service in writing this perhaps final book. I recommend it to serious readers without hesitation. He admits his faults and weaknesses, does not hesitate to discuss human rights abuses in many countries, and tells stories about people he knows and has known over the years who have contributed to democracy across the world. His advice to this generation is accurate. I consider my time reading this lengthy book to have been worthwhile.