2018-05-26

John McCain. The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations

 The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations

 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Senator Lindsey Graham once described his friend John McCain as someone who would ‘run across the street to get in a good fight.’ McCain’s final battle came straight to him. I’m not talking about the one against brain cancer…I’m talking about the one against Donald Trump. He wages it in a forthcoming book, “The Restless Wave"...McCain has always believed, to his core, in sacrifice, honor and allegiance to something larger than oneself…Such grace is unimaginable from Trump. That’s why it’s so vital that McCain is using his waning time to model it.”

—Frank Bruni, The New York Times

“Written in McCain’s plain-spoken, occasionally brusque manner, the senator and Vietnam war veteran…offers a wide-ranging appraisal of his own career, one marked by unrealized presidential ambitions and a lofty view of America on the international stage.”

— The Guardian

"In what may be his final public act, John McCain this month will publish a book that bequeaths us a rare gift....the volume does not burden us with a lot of high-minded advice based on lessons learned, nor does it pull us down into treacly memoir. McCain is still very much McCain....What he does offer, though, at this peculiar moment of our history, is far more precious: a reminder of the values and principles that our nation has long stood for, and a spur to us to recover from this unhealthy interlude and stand for them again. Without preaching, instead by recounting stories of battles won and (often) lost, McCain unspools something akin to a self-help manual for a country that has, at least for the moment, lost its way."

—The Washington Post

“It should be required reading for anyone who wants to lead in a democracy.”

—Senator Lindsey Graham, The New York Times

 

“The Restless Wave is a fitting valedictory for a man who seldom backed down.”

—The Guardian, US

"Remarkable....a book-length meditation on what it means to face the hard challenges of long life and the sobering likelihood of imminent death. John McCain’s valedictory message, at the booksellers under the title The Restless Wave, is a 400-page reflection on hardship, a homily on purpose, a celebration of life — and a challenge to Americans to live up to their values and founding principles at a time when both are in jeopardy."

—The Boston Globe

"Focused on his past 20 years of public life and a few major topics, it's McCain on McCain, even more uncensored than usual. Which makes it fun, no matter your politics....The book is at its best when he speaks plainly from the heart about subjects he cares deeply about." 

—New York Daily News

About the Author

Senator John McCain entered the Naval Academy in June of 1954. He 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 Faith of My Fathers, Worth Fighting For, Why Courage Matters, Character Is Destiny, Thirteen Soldiers, and The Restless Wave.

Mark Salter has collaborated with John McCain on all seven of their books, including 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.

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    John McCain

    Biography

    Senator John McCain entered the Naval Academy in June of 1954. He 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 Faith of My Fathers, Worth Fighting For, Why Courage Matters, Character Is Destiny, Thirteen Soldiers, and The Restless Wave.

    Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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    #97 Overall (See top 100 authors)
    #3 in Books > History
    #6 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs
    #10 in Kindle eBooks > History
    #22 in Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs
    #97 in Books
    starsNot What I Expected
    ByCharlesTOP 1000 REVIEWERon May 22, 2018
    Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
    Although John McCain has lately been the target of many brickbats from both Right and Left, any honest person has to give him the benefit of the doubt. And despite the hype that has preceded this book, it was not what I expected. Instead of attacks on his enemies, shrill denunciations of political stands he despises, or praise of himself and his allies, John McCain offers us his version of King Lear. He offers the thoughts of a man who, toward the end of his life, does his best to see clearly, whatever may have come before.

    McCain is part of a diminishing cohort of conservatives devoted to American exceptionalism. For McCain, American exceptionalism is found foremost in our stance outwards, toward the rest of the world. He wants both American interests and American moral virtues to be served, and the chief obstacle he sees to this now is not Trump (whom McCain attacks surprisingly little, though he does attack House Republicans quite a bit) but Vladimir Putin. McCain sees Putin as, if not evil incarnate, certainly a very grave threat to us, to Europe, and more generally to the liberal democracy embodied in both. Quite a bit of the book is taken up with discussing this problem, and McCain has also written several pithy opinion pieces, such as recently in the Wall Street Journal, making the same points.

    The overlap between those who believe in American exceptionalism and those Republicans opposed to Trump is pretty significant, but really, they are different things. McCain thinks that America’s best years are not necessarily behind us, and while things may not be perfect, there is a deep reservoir of ability and possibility in America, however it is made up at any given time, including by immigrants. This was, for the most part, also Ronald Reagan’s view, and the split on the Right today is, in large part, a dispute about whether Reaganism is still viable today. While he does not spend any significant time talking about Reagan in this book, McCain is very much in the Reagan mold, although it’s not clear whether that really has a future in today’s Republican party.

    Of course, as he is the first to note, he himself probably doesn’t have much of a future on this earth. That knowledge focuses his thought, and he is comes across as a man of courage ready to exit the stage. Part of that courage, combined with clarity, comes out in his admitting that the Iraq War was a mistake. Oddly, that puts him on the same page with Donald Trump, the only Republican candidate (other than Rand Paul) who took the same position. But there is a lot to be said for honesty, and it helps the reader believe McCain legitimately holds the other positions he takes in this book.

    That said, as I say, it’s not like this book is a political polemic. Much of the rest of the book is taken up with reminiscences, mostly fond, and all interesting. The Restless Wave is not an attempt to settle scores; it is the last public words, in effect, of a lion in winter. As he says, “I have loved my life. All of it.” Whatever his faults may be, McCain is a giant of a man, formed by a past age, and we will not see his like again.
    72 people found this helpful
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    5.0 out of 5 starsHis love of country has few equals
    ByAmazon Customeron May 22, 2018
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    An outstanding swan song from a legendary American and fellow Annapolis graduate. His love of country has few equals, and is a beacon of inspiration to the rest of us.
    29 people found this helpful
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    5.0 out of 5 starsWe are more alike than different…
    ByBookwyrmTOP 50 REVIEWERon May 23, 2018
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    There’s so much wisdom in this book about choosing what’s right and honorable over party, over personal gain… Of choosing what is good for our country over what gains political clout or financial reward. Frankly, I don’t know that much about John McClain, but the sentiments in this book are truths. McClain is closer to death than ever before, and that’s a freeing place to be. He doesn’t need to worry about what we think of him or if he’ll get re-elected. He seems to be honest about errors and regrets, admitting to multiple misjudgments and mistakes that he’s made over the course of his life.

    This book isn’t getting the air or attention that Trump’s book did. Sadly. It’s not a fluff piece; it’s a long, hard read. I found myself crying more than once over the circumstances of an interrogation, a battle, the image a POW sewing an American flag inside his shirt… I guess that’s what I take from this book the most, that John McCain is a patriot who values what that flag stands for, and he’d like us all to remember to be patriots above all.

    McClain would like us to behave with honor toward our countrymen, to our friends, and to our enemies. He’d like us to place human rights first, even when our lives are at risk: “I want to urge Americans, for as long as I can, to remember that this shared devotion to human rights is our truest heritage and our most important loyalty.”

    And I think that’s where this book really shines, where McClain reminds us that our country needs us to hold our government and leaders to the ideals it was founded upon. We cannot let fear change us. “We’re not always right. We’re impetuous and impatient, and rush into things without knowing what we’re really doing. We argue over little differences endlessly, and exaggerate them into lasting breaches. We can be selfish, and quick sometimes to shift the blame for our mistakes to others. But our country ‘tis of Thee.’ What great good we’ve done in the world, so much more good than harm.” And he points out where our country has harmed its reputation and its integrity by denying others their rights simply because they’re different or we think they’re the enemy. He points out what went wrong after 9/11 with the treatment of prisoners and what’s been done since to correct that. We can only pray that nothing like that ever happens again.

    He admits that we haven’t always been in the right, but that when we were wrong, it was because we were denying the rights of others, even to the point that things were happening so against the Geneva Convention that in McClain’s view, we were acting worse than the Vietnamese acted toward him and his fellow POWs. That’s pretty sad, when we do worse than those we hold up as despicable.

    “Will we act in this world with respect for our founding conviction that all people have equal dignity in the eyes of God and should be accorded the same respect by the laws and governance of men? That is the most important question history ever asks of us. Answering in the affirmative by our actions is the highest form of patriotism, and we cannot do that without access to the truth. The cruelty of our enemies doesn’t absolve us of this duty. This was never about them. It was about us.” We cannot allow our enemies to change what our country stands for.

    The Restless Wave is a tome with much attention to detail, fascinating in its coverage of the various areas of conflict, the strategies, the personalities, successes, and errors. It’s refreshing to be reminded of how many times McCain voted against party line, worked with Democrats, and was friends to those on both sides of what has become a crippling divide in our country. And how many times he tried to do the same in other countries where we were involved in conflict. I hope there are many others who are trying to cross divides to meet the other side so that both sides can win.

    I would have liked to see John McCain or anyone, actually, elected and acting as a true bipartisan president. I’d like to think someone could do that. We could use one.
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    5.0 out of 5 starsA man of honour for these times
    ByTheodore A. Rushtonon May 23, 2018
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    I took from Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' that defending the dignity of others is never a lost cause whether you succeed or not.
    - - Sen. John McCain

    There is a basic contrast between Sen. John McCain and President D.J. Trump; McCain has a deep sense of service to all Americans, Trump has a swift sense of opportunism to enhance his personal profit, pleasure and power.

    Trump views the art of a deal on the basis of personal profit, which may suit the New York real estate, a contrived television show or greedy business people. McCain views "a deal" as what it means for America, as shown during his five gruesome years in Hanoi prisons by the moral (and morale) impact of his actions on others. Trump was raised to serve himself first and foremost; McCain to serve all Americans, regardless of personal pain and loss.

    The mavens of morality will judge Trump's "do anything" ethics in business and bankruptcy. Likewise for McCain's sense of military duty, and service to America. Trump campaigned on a theme of accusing his country weak and vulnerable, then promising to "make America great again." McCain never doubted or denigrated the essential goodness of Americans, as writes in 'The Restless Wave,' his latest book:

    "We have made mistakes. We haven't always used our power wisely. We have abused it sometimes and we've been arrogant. But, as often as not, we recognized those wrongs, debated them openly, and tried to do better. And the good we have done for humanity surpasses the damage caused by our errors. We have sought to make the world more stable and secure, not just our own society."

    Thus - - McCain's view of the danger of Vladimir Putin, who uses absolute power to crush alleged rivals, perceived foes and even "whispering" opposition. McCain understands subtlety in the use of power, a contrast to those who think the swift use of bravado, bluff and bullying always humiliates and crushes all rivals. It's impossible to think of McCain as ever compiling an "enemies list" or sneering about "a failing America."

    I've trusted his sense of realism, intellect and also fury, ever since during his 1986 campaign to succeed Sen. Barry Goldwater, when he told me: "I hate The Washington Post, but I read it every day because it's the house organ of Congress." However, the major newspapers reflect the fate of much of the media during the past 50 years, and it was the 'Post" and not McCain who was recently rescued by Jeff Bezos.

    Think likewise of this book. As a maverick, McCain will jar some readers with his often brusque toss of well reasoned opinions and ideas - - it's what mavericks do do. He's a contrast to the herd of mostly tame cows, and an eloquent rebuke to the wild bulls now in deep doodoo. McCain is a politician who gives all Americans many reasons for pride in country, civility and conservative ideals.
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    5.0 out of 5 starsAn Honorable Man (10 stars if they would let me)
    ByJanis Starbird-Veltidion May 25, 2018
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    I have always admired John McCain and purchased this book to read over the Memorial Day holiday. Our family is not a military family so I am not reading this book from that perspective. I am reading the Accumulated Memories at the very beginning and already I am brought to tears. I highly recommend this book to ANYONE and EVERYONE. The story of a life. This man is a hero, an honorable man, an honest man and a true American son. I am not a Republican, but I am an admirer of John McCain, even when I disagree with him (I am also not from Arizona). If I could give it 10 stars, I would.
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    5.0 out of 5 starsSharing of wisdom, dignity, decency and true leadership.
    Bytjpawleyson May 25, 2018
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    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.
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    4.0 out of 5 stars"The Restless Wave;" A Statesman's Memoir to a Legacy of Service to Country & of Fighting for his Just Causes
    ByAndy Anderson, WriterTOP 100 REVIEWERon May 23, 2018
    Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
    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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    4 people found this helpful
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    5.0 out of 5 starsA lot of wisdom...
    ByKawaiion May 23, 2018
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    A lot of wisdom in this book, a lot of history. It isn't just politics but a good balance between his life, his thoughts, the personal and his politics. I may not agree with some of his policies, but I never doubted his deep love and loyalty to America, always putting country over party. He is a true patriot, a Reagan Republican, fierce loyalist to America, highly critical of the Trump and his populism. I don't think there is anyone else who loves America as he much as he does... And with this book, I see it as a farewell to a country he has loved and served his entire life.

    “The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it,” spoke my hero, Robert Jordan, in For Whom the Bell Tolls. And I do, too. I hate to leave it. But I don’t have a complaint. Not one. It’s been quite a ride."

    Highly recommended, especially if you are a McCain fan like me.
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    5.0 out of 5 starsMaverick
    Bysebazzon May 24, 2018
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    Thank you for your service. Thank You for putting humanity and people first. I wish you and your family the best. And know you have and will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
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    5.0 out of 5 starsWow
    Byc. dykstraon May 25, 2018
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    Everyone should read this book! His truth and candor is exactly what our country need right now! Thank you for sharing¡!
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