Amazon.com: The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations (Audible Audio Edition): John McCain, Mark Salter, Beau Bridges, Simon & Schuster Audio: Books
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The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations
Audible Audiobook – UnabridgedJohn McCain (Author, Narrator), Mark Salter (Author), & 2 more
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A candid new political memoir from Senator John McCain - his most personal book in years - covering everything from 2008 up to the present.
In a time when Washington, DC and the country are more polarized than they have been for decades, John McCain is the rare public figure who has earned the respect of people on both sides of the aisle. He is a model for bipartisanship and political integrity. In his 40 years in politics, McCain has never been afraid to buck trends or ruffle a few feathers. His words are more important today than ever.
The Restless Wave begins in 2008, with McCain's presidential campaign, and then follows the senator during his time as a senior Republican lawmaker through the Obama administration, when the country was tested at home and abroad. McCain shares his experiences during the divisive 2016 election and his no-holds-barred opinions on the current developments coming out of Washington. He also discusses the vital challenges from abroad: Russia, NATO, the campaign to defeat ISIS, and our ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, among others. Candid, pragmatic, and always fascinating, John McCain holds nothing back in his latest memoir.
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Top customer reviews
Charles
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 starsNot What I ExpectedMay 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.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsHis love of country has few equalsMay 22, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
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.
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Theodore A. Rushton
5.0 out of 5 starsA man of honour for these timesMay 23, 2018
Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase
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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