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A Good Man (Abridged): Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver Audiobook
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(3.97) - 176 listener ratings
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In this intimate portrait of an extraordinary father-son relationship, Mark K. Shriver discovers the moral principles that guided his legendary father and applies them to his own life When Sargent "Sarge" Shriver—founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Johnson's War on Poverty—died in 2011 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer's, thousands of tributes poured in from friends and strangers worldwide. These tributes, which extolled the daily kindness and humanity of "a good man," moved his son Mark far more than those who lauded Sarge for his big-stage, headline-making accomplishments. After a lifetime searching for the path to his father's success in the public arena, Mark instead turns to a search for the secret of his father's joy, his devotion to others, and his sense of purpose. Mark discovers notes and letters from Sarge; hears personal stories from friends and family that zero in on the three guiding principles of Sarge's life—faith, hope, and love—and recounts moments with Sarge that now take on new value and poignancy. In the process, Mark discovers much about himself, as a father, as a husband, and as a social justice advocate. A Good Man is an inspirational and deeply personal story about a son discovering the true meaning of his father's legacy.
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"This is an analysis of what made Sarg Shriber tick. And the simple and complex answer is Faith, Hope, and Love. Particularly love of God and Jesus Christ. I thought I wouldn't care too much for it since he was a Catholic and I am not. However, reading this and his thought methods I realized that he saw everyone as one of God's children so he should love and give his attention to each person God sends, be it aristocrat, governmental power monger, or any person who came into his sphere of vision. Sarge in his latter days was cursed with alzheimers but he still kept his sweet disposition because he still believed that each person he saw was a gift of God to him. I wish I could get that type of an attitude toward life to sustain me through each day. That would be a perfect example of WWJD."
— Delores (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Since most people are happiest doing what they are good at, it's no wonder that Sargent Shriver was always smiling. He was good in every role he filled--husband, father, friend, public servant, and visionary. And he was as inspiring as they come. Mark's poignant tribute captures the idealism and exuberance that made us all love Sarge, and reminds us to find pleasure in the simple act of living.
— Former President Bill Clinton -
This tender, endearing memoir is a moving portrait of a son's struggle to deal with the gradual disappearance of a beloved father through the progressive stages of Alzheimer's. It is a praiseworthy book.
— Doris Kearns Goodwin -
This is a deeply touching story of a famous family and the private joys and trials that came with it. Mark's love letter to his Dad is one we can all learn from.
— Tom Brokaw -
As founder of the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver had the genius to change lives, mine included. With this powerful book, his son Mark shows a great man can also be a good man. What a joy to read about Sarge, the father. In a real way, he was father to everyone who ever served in the Peace Corps.
— Chris Matthews -
What a lovely book this is. It's funny and sad and inspiring without being insipid. Why was it, this loving son wanted to know, that everyone described his highly accomplished father, Sarge Shriver, as a ‘good man'? In the middle of the active and ambitious Kennedy and Shriver families, Mark Shriver comes to understand his father's faith in God's love anchored him and allowed him to do all that he did so well, including dealing with his own Alzheimer's. In getting to know his father better even after his death, Shriver learns some lessons useful to all of us.
— Cokie Roberts, author of We Are Our Mothers' Daughters -
In A Good Man, Mark Shriver gives a rich personal account of growing up with a father whose boundless optimism and life of public service made a profound difference for millions of people. Read it and come away, like Mark, reenergized and re-inspired to follow Sargent Shriver's extraordinary example.
— Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children's Defense Fund -
Asking around, in order to write about Sarge Shriver, I could find no one with a bad word to say about him. This book tells why. The mystery of goodness is deeper than the mystery of evil.
— Garry Wills
A Good Man Listener Reviews
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" this was a pretty good book and had some awesome pictures. I seems like Sargent Shriver was indeed "A Good Man" "
— Cindy, 12/16/2013 -
" A grieving son writes about the attributes of his very accomplished father. An emotional retrospective. "
— Pooch, 12/9/2013 -
" This was a lovely and loving account of Sargeant Shriver, written by his son. Although I did learn several things about Sargeant Shriver, I was deeply disappointed that this biography did not delve more into his life and accomplishments. This read more like a son who loved his father very much and wanted to let the world know how wonderful his father was. Interesting but not terribly compelling. "
— Sgilbert, 12/6/2013 -
" Such a well-written book! It is both objective and personal account of a son's view of his father. Mark Shriver discusses his father's personality and actions by how the man affected his own family, friends, and others. Sargent Shriver was not seducted by power and prestige, even though he certainly traveled in those circles. The title is the phrase most often associated with him. The author, his son, came to understand just have appropriate that phrase describes his father. The book is interesting without being sentimental. "
— Marcia, 12/3/2013 -
" I learned about the Shriver family. A good family that beyond religion and politics were true social servants - Peace Corps, Special Olympics, Save the Children... "
— Cristy, 12/2/2013 -
" This is just what I needed to read today. "
— Aaron, 11/30/2013 -
" Portrait of a hardworking, "
— Dbdanvers, 11/11/2013 -
" Sorry, I did not enjoy this book. "
— Jim, 11/3/2013 -
" After reading this book about Sargent Shriver's life, this is a man I wish I had known. The energy and faith he and his family exudes is overwhelming. One must wonder what a good man like this was thinking during the Kennedy escapades. Redundant in lots of places but still a good read. "
— Peggy, 8/15/2013 -
" I learned a lot about Sargent Shriver, Catholocism done right, the struggle of being a Kennedy and forgiveness. "
— Ahf, 6/29/2013 -
" A fascinating biography. Mark Shriver, son and author reads with such heartfelt emotion you really get a sense of the "good man", Sargent Shriver was. "
— Jan, 1/3/2013 -
" Enjoyed this book which was a combination of a biography of Sargent Shriver and a story if his relationship with his son. Inspiring family. "
— Dixie, 9/1/2012
About Mark Shriver
Mark K. Shriver is president of Save the Children Action Network in Washington, D.C. Shriver created the Choice Program and is a former Maryland state legislator. His New York Times and Washington Post bestselling memoir, A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver, was published in June 2012 and received a 2013 Christopher Award.