Play Audiobook Sample
Worth the Fighting For: The Education of an American Maverick, and the Heroes Who Inspired Him Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.00) - 206 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Senator John McCain tells the story of his great American journey, from the U.S. Navy to his electrifying campaign for the presidency in 2000, interwoven with heartfelt portraits of the mavericks who have inspired him through the years.
After five and a half years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, naval aviator John McCain returned home a changed man. Regaining his health and flight-eligibility status, he resumed his military career, commanding carrier pilots and serving as the navy’s liaison to what is sometimes ironically called the world’s most exclusive club, the United States Senate. Accompanying Senators John Tower and Henry “Scoop” Jackson on international trips, McCain began his political education in the company of two masters, leaders whose standards he would strive to maintain upon his election to the U.S. Congress. There, he learned valuable lessons in cooperation from a good-humored congressman from the other party, Morris Udall. In 1986, McCain was elected to the U.S. Senate, inheriting the seat of another role model, Barry Goldwater.
During his time in public office, McCain has seen acts of principle and acts of craven self-interest. He describes both extremes in these pages, with his characteristic straight talk and humor. He writes honestly of the lowest point in his career, the Keating Five savings and loan debacle, as well as his triumphant moments—his return to Vietnam and his efforts to normalize relations between the U.S. and Vietnamese governments; his fight for campaign finance reform; and his galvanizing bid for the presidency in 2000.
Writes McCain: “A rebel without a cause is just a punk. Whatever you’re called—rebel, unorthodox, nonconformist, radical—it’s all self-indulgence without a good cause to give your life meaning.” This is the story of McCain’s causes, the people who made him do it, and the meaning he found. Worth the Fighting For reminds us of what’s best in America, and in ourselves.
Praise for Worth the Fighting For
“When [John] McCain writes of people and patriotism, his pages shine with a devotion, a loving awe, that makes Worth the Fighting For worth the shelling out for. . . . McCain the man remains one of the most inspiring public figures of his generation.”—Jonathan Raunch, The Washington Post
“[An] unpredictable, outspoken memoir . . . a testimonial to heroism from someone who has first-hand knowledge of what it takes.”—The New York Times
Download and start listening now!
"All-in-all pretty good; suprisingly philosophical and thoughtful. Its cool to see who McCain looked up to when he was starting out. I also thought it was great how he admitted what he did wrong in the Keating 5 situation and all. I found the book to be an insightful and honest look at his past."
— John (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
When [John] McCain writes of people and patriotism, his pages shine with a devotion, a loving awe, that makes Worth the Fighting For worth the shelling out for. . . . McCain the man remains one of the most inspiring public figures of his generation.
— Jonathan Raunch, The Washington Post -
[An] unpredictable, outspoken memoir . . . a testimonial to heroism from someone who has first-hand knowledge of what it takes.
— The New York Times -
Worth the Fighting For is a worthy read. It will make you more aware of the national situation. It will make you want to be a better citizen. And, whether or not you agree with McCain's political philosophies, it will help you appreciate his candid, straightforward nature.
— Deseret News -
It's a gripping story, well told, and one that serves as an accessible and lively introduction to the last quarter century of American politics. . . . It strikes me as a perfect holiday gift for politically interested college students and young people.
— William Kristol, The Weekly Standard -
With bluntness and humor he writes about the people who have inspired him, memorable experiences as a senator, his involvement in the Keating Five scandal, the fight for campaign finance reform and his losing bid for the presidential nomination in 2000—all a story worth waiting for.
— The Indianapolis Star -
No campaign puff job, this lively and stimulating book that McCain and his longtime aid Mark Salter have written tells much about the current political scene and much about McCain.
— Houston Chronicle -
[McCain] describes his evolution from national war hero to a man labeled a traitor by members of his own party. He reflects on some of the high points and lowest moments in his career. He makes no apologies for his bald ambition or his hot temper and admits many political missteps. The result makes for enjoyable reading.
— BusinessWeek -
[McCain] takes pride in his status as a maverick and pays tribute to inspirational figures . . . an engaging storyteller.
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
[Worth the Fighting For] is the work of someone who has found out, rather late in life, who he is and what he truly believes. Self-discovery seems to give [McCain] the nerve to speak his mind with a candor rare among politicians. The result is a book packed with extraordinary indiscretions for a still-practicing politician.
— Russell Baker, The New York Review of Books
Worth the Fighting For Listener Reviews
-
" I lean to the left myself, but if we end up with another republican I've been hoping for this one since 2000. "
— Karl, 1/13/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book because it was easy reading. Senator McCain writes well and has an authentic personality which comes through in the stories contained in this book. "
— Alison, 11/2/2013 -
" Examination of McCain's beliefs. I would have voted for this the old McCain... "
— John, 10/23/2013 -
" This book is not so much about policy but rather about the men who have influenced McCain. I found it to be pretty interesting. "
— Lauren, 10/3/2013 -
" Oh, Senator McCain. This memoir of yours made me see so much potential in you, so much wasted potential. "
— Afua, 10/2/2013 -
" The memoir of John McCain on his time in the house and senate, and his failed run for President in 2000. He talks about his heroes and who inspires him. "
— Sheila, 9/2/2013 -
" well-written, but his attempts at humility didn't sell me. "
— jko, 3/26/2013 -
" I found this to be a very interesting book. I learned some things about Mccain that I did not know. He went through alot in his life, and I do admire him a bunch! "
— Ann, 8/11/2012 -
" Great book if you're interested in John McCain's heros and some of his social positions. "
— Ryan, 4/3/2011 -
" You don't have to read more than a few sentences to realize that all of McCain's experiences and decisions are seen through a militaristic lens. Scary to say the least. "
— Travis, 2/15/2011 -
" Not very interesting. Long-winded, self-aggrandizing, preemptive damage control. His first book was far better. "
— Lauren, 2/5/2011 -
" Pretty blah. Parts of it are just things that John McCain likes. "
— B, 8/6/2007 -
" A politician I really respect. Not the most enthralling author (the opposite of his opponent, who's a little too flowery as a writer) but a good glimpse into what drives him. "
— Mike, 12/11/2006 -
" Worth reading for any person interested in American political life. "
— Ross, 5/22/2006 -
" Started reading this for the election but dropped off. It didn't hold my attention very well. Seemed like a resume in story format. "
— Laurie, 6/12/2005
About the Authors
John McCain (1936–2018) entered the Naval Academy in 1954 and served in the United States Navy until 1981. He was elected to the US House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982 and to the Senate in 1986. He was the Republican Party’s nominee for president in the 2008 election. He is the author of numerous books, including Faith of My Fathers, Worth Fighting For, Why Courage Matters, Character Is Destiny, Thirteen Soldiers, and The Restless Wave.
Mark Salter is an author who collaborated with John McCain on all seven of their books, including The Restless Wave, Faith of My Fathers, Worth the Fighting For, Why Courage Matters, Character Is Destiny, Hard Call, and Thirteen Soldiers. He served on Senator McCain’s staff for eighteen years.
About Dan Cashman
Dan Cashman is an American television actor, producer, and audiobook narrator who has also appeared in many television movies such as Dangerous Women, The Invisible Man, and The Pretender.