LibGuides: John McCain: Introduction

Senator John McCain spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy before becoming a Republican congressman, then a senator, from Arizona. He did not have, however, a typical military career. McCain was shot down over Hanoi in the Vietnam War and endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war (POW), spending most of the time in solitary and enduring incessant torture. When he returned, he put the dismal period behind him and forged on--an awe-inspiring tale of survival that is almost unfathomable. As an elected official, he preferred to be known for what he accomplished, rather than living on his reputation as the tough POW. "Nowadays, when somebody introduces me like, 'Here is our great war hero,' I don't like it,"...

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Farewell Statement from Senator John McCain

“My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans,

Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.”

Read the full statement

Books by McCain

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Character is Destiny : True Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember by John McCain NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Senator John McCain tells the stories of celebrated historical figures and lesser-known heroes whose values exemplify the best of the human spirit. He illustrates these qualities with moving stories of triumph against the odds, hope in adversity, and sacrifices for a cause greater than self-interest. Among the heroes of exemplary character we meet are   * Pat Tillman, whose patriotism obliged him to leave the riches and celebrity of the NFL for a soldier's life in defense of his country * Winston Churchill, who, in a renowned eighteen-word remark, counseled schoolboys to "never give up" * the Catholic priest in Auschwitz who offered to take a condemned man's place * a nun, formerly a comfortable Beverly Hills housewife, who works with prisoners in Mexico's worst jails * George Washington, whose wisdom and hard-earned self-control helped him survive the chaos of war   Character Is Destiny is McCain's moving and eloquent tribute to men and women who have lived truthfully, and whose stories will stir the hearts of young and old alike and help prepare us for the hard work of choosing our own destinies.   Praise for Character Is Destiny   "An eclectic collection of heroes . . . [John McCain] will be remembered in a volume like this some day."--The Washington Post Book World "Uplifting . . . inspiring . . . The lessons of these people's lives are as relevant to adults as to children."--Minneapolis Star Tribune "McCain can surprise you, and Character Is Destiny surprises in the diversity of its cast."--Houston Chronicle "McCain has made a declaration of values that liberals can embrace as readily as conservatives."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Hard Call : Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them by John McCain At some point in our lives, we all face tough decisions and have to make that hard call. In this remarkable book, Senator McCain and Mark Salter use experiences of both extraordinary people and people in extraordinary circumstances to dramatically describe the anatomy of a great decision. Highlights include: - Henry Ford's decision to sacrifice his company's competitive edge by reducing the work day and guaranteeing a minimum wage. - Branch Rickey's decision to offer Jackie Robinson a contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the face of public opposition. - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf 's decision to return to wartorn Liberia after receiving an economics degree from Harvard. - General Fred Weyand's decision to redeploy fifteen of his battalions despite resistance from senior American military commanders in Vietnam. - And much more.
John McCain: American Maverick by Elaine S. Povich; Ken Burns This lavishly illustrated volume--featuring a foreword by award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns--provides a compelling look at the life and career of Senator John McCain from his early years to today, exploring his legacy, his impact, and his place in American history.    As of January 3, 2018, John Sidney McCain III, one of the most influential statesmen of our time, will have served as a US senator for 31 years--11,324 days. This unofficial retrospective honors and pays homage to Senator McCain's astonishing journey--a story of courage, resilience, and leadership; irrepressibility, determination, and grit. Written by acclaimed journalist Elaine Povich, it covers his childhood as the son and grandson of admirals, his service as a naval aviator in Vietnam and subsequent harrowing five-year imprisonment in a POW camp, his congressional and senatorial careers, his family, his presidential campaigns, and perhaps his most important role yet, as an elder statesman willing to stand up for the nation. With more than 100 photographs, highlights from notable speeches, and inspiring quotes, this book is a moving tribute to a true American hero and icon.
The Restless Wave by John McCain In this candid new political memoir from Senator John McCain, an American hero reflects on his life--and what matters most. "I don't know how much longer I'll be here. Maybe I'll have another five years. Maybe, with the advances in oncology, they'll find new treatments for my cancer that will extend my life. Maybe I'll be gone before you read this. My predicament is, well, rather unpredictable. But I'm prepared for either contingency, or at least I'm getting prepared. I have some things I'd like to take care of first, some work that needs finishing, and some people I need to see. And I want to talk to my fellow Americans a little more if I may." So writes John McCain in this inspiring, moving, frank, and deeply personal memoir. Written while confronting a mortal illness, McCain looks back with appreciation on his years in the Senate, his historic 2008 campaign for the presidency against Barack Obama, and his crusades on behalf of democracy and human rights in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Always the fighter, McCain attacks the "spurious nationalism" and political polarization afflicting American policy. He makes an impassioned case for democratic internationalism and bi-partisanship. He tells stories of his most satisfying moments of public service, including his work with another giant of the Senate, Edward M. Kennedy. Senator McCain recalls his disagreements with several presidents, and minces no words in his objections to some of President Trump's statements and policies. At the same time, he offers a positive vision of America that looks beyond the Trump presidency. The Restless Wave is John McCain at his best.
Thirteen Soldiers by John McCain John McCain's evocative history of Americans at war, told through the personal accounts of thirteen remarkable soldiers who fought in major military conflicts, from the Revolutionary War of 1776 to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a veteran himself, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and a long-time student of history, John McCain brings a distinctive perspective to this subject. Thirteen Soldiers tells the stories of real soldiers through the years who personify an essential characteristic of combat, from valor, savagery, and terror to obedience, enterprise, and love. You'll meet Joseph Plumb Martin, who at the tender age of fifteen fought in the Revolutionary War; Charles Black, a freeborn African American sailor in the War of 1812; and Sam Chamberlain, of the Mexican American War, whose life inspired novelist Cormac McCarthy. Then there's Oliver Wendell Holmes, an aristocratic idealist disillusioned by the Civil War, and Littleton "Tony" Waller, court-martialed for refusing to massacre Filipino civilians. Each account illustrates a particular aspect of war, such as Mary Rhoads, an Army reservist forever changed by an Iraqi scud missile attack during the Persian Gulf War, and Monica Lin Brown, a frontline medic in rural Afghanistan who saved several lives in an ambushed convoy. From their acts of self-sacrifice to their astonishing bravery, the thirteen soldiers profiled here embody the best America has to offer.
Why Courage Matters by John McCain In this inspiring meditation on courage, Senator John McCain 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. Praise for Why Courage Matters "[John] McCain the man remains one of the most inspiring public figures of his generation."--The Washington Post Book World "Thrilling . . . John McCain's profiles in courage offer inspiration. . . . A marvelous collection of stories featuring honest-to-God heroes."--Fort Worth Star-Telegram "Extraordinary . . . McCain proves how courage can change lives and improve the world."--New York Daily News "[McCain] is open and candid, a refuge from spin and arrogance."--The Washington Post "Wise words from a man who personifies courage."--The Sunday Oklahoman

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HBO John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls (01:44:10) Produced and directed by six-time Emmy® winner Peter Kunhardt, along with Emmy® winners George Kunhardt and Teddy Kunhardt, John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls is a biographical profile of one of the most influential forces in modern American politics, Arizona Senator John McCain. The son and grandson of two Navy admirals, McCain is a former Navy pilot who was shot down in Vietnam and spent over five years in a POW camp, returning to forge a career as one of our country’s most passionate and formidable members of Congress. Now 81, the six-term Republican senator and two-time presidential candidate sat down for interviews for this film just a few weeks after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017, and provided unprecedented access to his daily life in Washington, D.C. and Sedona, Ariz. The film also features interviews with family, friends, colleagues and leading political figures.
Legends of Air Power: John McCain (23:16) He was the son and grandson of 4-star generals, but John McCain’s fame doesn’t come from his impressive heritage. Instead, it’s the courage he showed while a POW in Vietnam that made McCain a household name. From flying A-4s to running for the President of the Untied States, John McCain bears the mark of a true Legend.