The Restless Wave – Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights and Other Appreciations
As I write this book review, on Labor Day 2018, after finishing the final chapter this morning out on my deck, I am left with a feeling of hope. I, like many people, didn’t always agree with his political views or voted for him, but always carried a high level of respect for his character and motivations. John McCain writes, in his final book, about the last 20 or so years of his career in Politics. And his death, only days previously, makes me very sad that his work was not fully done but hopeful that the legacy and lessons that he has promoted and left behind will be taken up by his children and closest friends.
He writes of his frustrated battles with the presiding Presidents, both Republican and Democrat, and of his numerous trips abroad to support the strong people in countries that were working tirelessly and dangerously to prevent them from slipping further away from democratic societies. He provides intelligent and thoughtful insight into our deepest enemies, including two chapters devoted mainly to Vladamir Putin. (Must read chapters for everyone – NYET – Know Thine Enemy and Know Thyself – Defending the West)
John McCain was a leader and, you may ask, a leader of what? He was a leader of promoting the deepest level of what America is about and, from that philosophy, he lived his life. Whether it be working with and befriending politicians from all sides of the fence to find a solution to a problem that plagued ALL Americans, to giving support and an international voice to brave men and women protesting social injustices in dangerous parts of the world, to showing all Americans what it is like to run for President and still be ethical, and, finally, what is means to be a devoted, loving and amazing husband and father. He was a leader who felt the darkest, most lonely of experiences as a Vietnam POW and still came out with positive energy about how he could stop any form of inhuman torture in the world and how he could serve our Country, yet again, by becoming a Senator and candidate for President.
I added yellow highlighter and many post-it note tabs as I read his book because so many paragraphs warranted my attention and remembrance. The current climate of political dissidence and turmoil, stripping away of democratic norms and procedures, and degradation of American-led world order is difficult, at times, to understand. But John McCain’s words of wisdom and experience helped me understand what it’s all about in a way I would have never known had I not decided to read his book.
But, the main takeaway you will feel and come to understand is what everyone has been talking about since his death – that John McCain lived his life to serve the United States of America as our forefathers wanted our country to be. A country of peoples that left an oppressive government to create a new society that is a home for all people with different ideals and that offers opportunities to all who have the will to seize it. He has fought for immigration reform, curbing inhuman torture for prisoners of war, promoted policies that sanction corrupt countries for their actions against innocent people, and always was a voice for those not able to reach outside of their oppression in dangerous situations in places all around the globe. He believed that America was the example to be set for all nations and the leader of promoting democratic ideals, so all people can live without fear of retribution for speaking out about injustices. There are people in remote places around the globe that know John McCain’s name and have been touched by his generosity of spirit and leadership. And there are people around the world that have lost their lives in support of these ideals that John McCain mourned very personally.
Please pick up this book and read it, no matter your political affiliation, and understand that you will become a better American, better person, better friend, and better human being from learning from his life experiences and shared knowledge. John McCain, was an honorable, honest, brave, funny, intelligent and thoughtful man that didn’t shy away from apologizing for his mistakes and, as the maverick that he is called, always voted with intention to better all people in our society, not any select few. Please honor him by reading his words and living your life in the same way.
In his own words, at the end of the book,
“What an ingrate I would be to curse the fate that concludes the blessed life I’ve led. I prefer to give thanks for those blessings, and my love to the people who blessed me with theirs. The bell tolls for me. I knew it would. So I tried, as best I could, to stay a ‘part of the main’. I hope those who mourn my passing, and even those who don’t, will celebrate as I celebrate a happy life lived in imperfect service to a country made of ideals, whose continued success is the hope of the world. And I wish all of you great adventures, good company, and lives as lucky as mine”
Written by Lisa Andria