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Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember
Alternate cover edition can be found here
John McCain tells the stories of celebrated historical figures and lesser-known heroes whose values exemplify the best of the human spirit in Character Is Destiny. He illustrates these qualities with moving stories of triumph against the odds, hope in adversity, and sacrifices for a cause greater than self-interest. Among the heroes of exemplary character we meet are
• Pat Tillman, whose patriotism obliged him to leave the riches and celebrity of the NFL for a soldier’s life in defense of his country
• Winston Churchill, who, in a renowned eighteen-word remark, counseled schoolboys to “never give up”
• the Catholic priest in Auschwitz who offered to take a condemned man’s place
• a nun, formerly a comfortable Beverly Hills housewife, who works with prisoners in Mexico’s worst jails
• George Washington, whose wisdom and hard-earned self-control helped him survive the chaos of war
Character Is Destiny is McCain’s moving and eloquent tribute to men and women who have lived truthfully, and whose stories will stir the hearts of young and old alike and help prepare us for the hard work of choosing our own destinies.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
160 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
John McCain
104 books106 followersJohn Sidney McCain III was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Arizona from 1987 until his death. He was the Republican nominee for President of the United States in the 2008 election, which he lost to Barack Obama.
McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 and followed his father and grandfather—both four-star admirals—into the U.S. Navy. He became a naval aviator and flew ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he was almost killed in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. While McCain was on a bombing mission during Operation Rolling Thunder over Hanoi in October 1967, he was shot down, seriously injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973. McCain experienced episodes of torture and refused an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer. The wounds that he sustained during the war left him with lifelong physical disabilities. He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981 and moved to Arizona, where he entered politics. In 1982, McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served two terms. He entered the U.S. Senate in 1987 and easily won reelection five times, the last time in 2016.
While generally adhering to conservative principles, McCain also had a media reputation as a "maverick" for his willingness to disagree with his party on certain issues. After being investigated and largely exonerated in a political influence scandal of the 1980s as a member of the Keating Five, he made campaign finance reform one of his signature concerns, which eventually resulted in passage of the McCain–Feingold Act in 2002. He was also known for his work in the 1990s to restore diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and for his belief that the Iraq War should have been fought to a successful conclusion. McCain chaired the Senate Commerce Committee and opposed pork barrel spending. He belonged to the bipartisan "Gang of 14" which played a key role in alleviating a crisis over judicial nominations.
McCain entered the race for the Republican nomination for President in 2000, but he lost a heated primary season contest to Governor George W. Bush of Texas. He secured the nomination in 2008 after coming back from early reversals, but was defeated by Democratic nominee Barack Obama in the general election, losing by a 365–173 electoral college margin. He subsequently adopted more orthodox conservative stances and attitudes and largely opposed actions of the Obama administration, especially in regard to foreign policy matters. By 2013, however, he had become a key figure in the Senate for negotiating deals on certain issues in an otherwise partisan environment. In 2015, McCain became Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2017, he reduced his role in the Senate after a diagnosis of brain cancer. He died at the age of 81 on August 25, 2018.
McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 and followed his father and grandfather—both four-star admirals—into the U.S. Navy. He became a naval aviator and flew ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he was almost killed in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. While McCain was on a bombing mission during Operation Rolling Thunder over Hanoi in October 1967, he was shot down, seriously injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973. McCain experienced episodes of torture and refused an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer. The wounds that he sustained during the war left him with lifelong physical disabilities. He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981 and moved to Arizona, where he entered politics. In 1982, McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served two terms. He entered the U.S. Senate in 1987 and easily won reelection five times, the last time in 2016.
While generally adhering to conservative principles, McCain also had a media reputation as a "maverick" for his willingness to disagree with his party on certain issues. After being investigated and largely exonerated in a political influence scandal of the 1980s as a member of the Keating Five, he made campaign finance reform one of his signature concerns, which eventually resulted in passage of the McCain–Feingold Act in 2002. He was also known for his work in the 1990s to restore diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and for his belief that the Iraq War should have been fought to a successful conclusion. McCain chaired the Senate Commerce Committee and opposed pork barrel spending. He belonged to the bipartisan "Gang of 14" which played a key role in alleviating a crisis over judicial nominations.
McCain entered the race for the Republican nomination for President in 2000, but he lost a heated primary season contest to Governor George W. Bush of Texas. He secured the nomination in 2008 after coming back from early reversals, but was defeated by Democratic nominee Barack Obama in the general election, losing by a 365–173 electoral college margin. He subsequently adopted more orthodox conservative stances and attitudes and largely opposed actions of the Obama administration, especially in regard to foreign policy matters. By 2013, however, he had become a key figure in the Senate for negotiating deals on certain issues in an otherwise partisan environment. In 2015, McCain became Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2017, he reduced his role in the Senate after a diagnosis of brain cancer. He died at the age of 81 on August 25, 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 4, 2011
Book of Short Stories
I think that John Mccain wrote an O.K. book, but it does not appeal to me directly. Some of the stories were interesting, and were about famous people. However, most of the stories were not good and were not interesting. The problem is that he wrote a bunch of true short stories. If Mccain were a smarter writer, he would have made it all about one fictitious person, who showed all the attributes he believed in. Also, it seems that the co-author was the person who wrote the book, and that Mccain just endorsed the product. All in all, the book was O.K., but certainly far from great.
I think that John Mccain wrote an O.K. book, but it does not appeal to me directly. Some of the stories were interesting, and were about famous people. However, most of the stories were not good and were not interesting. The problem is that he wrote a bunch of true short stories. If Mccain were a smarter writer, he would have made it all about one fictitious person, who showed all the attributes he believed in. Also, it seems that the co-author was the person who wrote the book, and that Mccain just endorsed the product. All in all, the book was O.K., but certainly far from great.
July 19, 2009
This is an excellent book. There are a few people who seem odd choices... Magellan, for instance, doesn't really seem to have had the character qualities I'd want to emulate... and yet even those examples show how truly our character is our destiny. I think this would be an excellent book for a young teenager, but I found it tremendously riveting as an adult. There are many stories which I'd never heard, or heard only very little about, that are truly fascinating and worth knowing. I'd recommend this book to anyone!
March 11, 2018
Pada awalnya saya mengira buku ini cuma ringkasan singkat biografi tokoh² terkenal. Bahkan sampai saat saya sudah kelar Bagian 1 (buku ini terbagi dgn 7 bagian). Tetapi makin dibaca, makin saya rasakan perubahan bhw buku ini memang menekankan pd keunggulan karakter para tokoh yg diceritakan (total 34 bab).
Semakin lama membaca buku ini jadi mengasyikkan krn tokoh²nya beragam bidang, dari tokoh politik, pejuang hingga sipir penjara. Begitu pula tokoh wanitanya, dari seorang ratu hingga tukang cuci biasa, bukan orang² kondang melulu. Dan sebagian besar diceritakan sisi humanisnya. Semua tokoh ada kekurangan maupun kelebihannya, keunggulan maupun kelemahannya. Dan bagian yg paling saya suka adalah para tokoh ini mendorong diri mereka hingga titik kulminasinya utk menjadi yg terbaik dari diri mereka, bukan terbaik di dunia. Mereka bukanlah sosok pencari ketenaran duniawi.
Saya justru lebih banyak tergugah pd sosok² yg kurang terkenal di kancah sejarah dunia spt Oseola McCarty atau Wilma Rudolph. Bayangkan saja seorang babu cuci bisa menyumbangkan ratusan ribu dollar miliknya dari keringatnya bekerja bertahun² utk membiayai beasiswa anak² kurang mampu. Atau seorang Wilma yg wkt kecil sempat mengidap polio tetapi membuktikan dgn tekad, ketekunan dan kemauan keras, bisa menjadi pelari tercepat di dunia. Utk tokoh dari gender pria, saya lebih menyukai tipe² pejuang keras spt Horatio Nelson, Tecumseh atau Ferdinand Magellan yg berjuang hingga darah penghabisan mereka. Memang terkesan ekstrim bagi kebanyakan orang bhw utk mencapai glorifikasi, sampai hrs mengorbankan nyawa.
Tetapi dari yg saya baca, mereka tidak gampang mendapatkan ambisi ataupun tidak mungkin tanpa usaha keinginan mereka terlaksana. Membaca buku ini bukan hanya belajar sejarah, tetapi juga belajar bhw menempuh segala sesuatu pasti tercapai asalkan berusaha terus. Kalau buku ini cuma fiksi, mungkin saya kurang terinspirasi. Tetapi krn saya tahu tokoh² yg diceritakan semuanya adalah tokoh nyata dan ini membisikkan kpd saya, "Kalau mereka bisa, kenapa kita tidak bisa? Mengapa kita tidak bisa mengasah keunggulan kita tetapi malah menajamkan sisi buruk kita dan bukannya malu tetapi bangga pd sisi malas, sisi tidak jujur bagian dari diri kita?"
Semakin lama membaca buku ini jadi mengasyikkan krn tokoh²nya beragam bidang, dari tokoh politik, pejuang hingga sipir penjara. Begitu pula tokoh wanitanya, dari seorang ratu hingga tukang cuci biasa, bukan orang² kondang melulu. Dan sebagian besar diceritakan sisi humanisnya. Semua tokoh ada kekurangan maupun kelebihannya, keunggulan maupun kelemahannya. Dan bagian yg paling saya suka adalah para tokoh ini mendorong diri mereka hingga titik kulminasinya utk menjadi yg terbaik dari diri mereka, bukan terbaik di dunia. Mereka bukanlah sosok pencari ketenaran duniawi.
Saya justru lebih banyak tergugah pd sosok² yg kurang terkenal di kancah sejarah dunia spt Oseola McCarty atau Wilma Rudolph. Bayangkan saja seorang babu cuci bisa menyumbangkan ratusan ribu dollar miliknya dari keringatnya bekerja bertahun² utk membiayai beasiswa anak² kurang mampu. Atau seorang Wilma yg wkt kecil sempat mengidap polio tetapi membuktikan dgn tekad, ketekunan dan kemauan keras, bisa menjadi pelari tercepat di dunia. Utk tokoh dari gender pria, saya lebih menyukai tipe² pejuang keras spt Horatio Nelson, Tecumseh atau Ferdinand Magellan yg berjuang hingga darah penghabisan mereka. Memang terkesan ekstrim bagi kebanyakan orang bhw utk mencapai glorifikasi, sampai hrs mengorbankan nyawa.
Tetapi dari yg saya baca, mereka tidak gampang mendapatkan ambisi ataupun tidak mungkin tanpa usaha keinginan mereka terlaksana. Membaca buku ini bukan hanya belajar sejarah, tetapi juga belajar bhw menempuh segala sesuatu pasti tercapai asalkan berusaha terus. Kalau buku ini cuma fiksi, mungkin saya kurang terinspirasi. Tetapi krn saya tahu tokoh² yg diceritakan semuanya adalah tokoh nyata dan ini membisikkan kpd saya, "Kalau mereka bisa, kenapa kita tidak bisa? Mengapa kita tidak bisa mengasah keunggulan kita tetapi malah menajamkan sisi buruk kita dan bukannya malu tetapi bangga pd sisi malas, sisi tidak jujur bagian dari diri kita?"
July 8, 2014
A series of essays about people who have exhibited grand character in various walks of life. Winston Churchhill, Sojourner Truth, Gandhi, Joan of Arc, and Thomas More are among the many individuals who exhibit great character. McCain, with the help of Salter, help us remember what each of these people bring to us in terms of their character. Written simply and effectively. McCain also gives an account of his years in a Vietnam prison, with praises for the men who endured. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to everyone. Teenagers should have one of these stories read aloud to them once a week in a Home Evening.
July 24, 2008
Somewhat disappointing, but glad I read it. The stories of historical figures and their values and strengths was a good review and reminder that I need to be working on some of those things myself.
Other than that, little substance. Was hoping for more hope and inspiration from a presidential candidate.
Other than that, little substance. Was hoping for more hope and inspiration from a presidential candidate.
January 21, 2014
Only 3 out of 5.
They should have halved the number of stories and doubled the amount of detail on each story.
They should have halved the number of stories and doubled the amount of detail on each story.
March 5, 2014
Karakter Itu Soal Sikap
Dimuat di Okezone.com, Kamis/27 Februari 2014
See more at: http://suar.okezone.com/read/2014/02/...
Judul: 34 Karakter Mulia Yang Menggugah Dunia, Character is Destiny
Penulis: John McCain dan Mark Salter
Penerjemah: T. Harmaya
Penerbit: Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Cetakan: III/Maret 2013
Tebal: xix + 435 halaman
ISBN: 9789792294347
Harga: Rp78.000
Bala tentara Nazi telah merampas semua dari Viktor Frankl. Mereka merenggut kebebasan, mimpi, dan keluarganya. Mereka membuatnya kelaparan, menyumpahi, memfitnah, dan menyiksa hingga melampaui batas kemanusiaan.
Bahkan mereka pernah menggantungkan hidup Viktor Frankl di atas tebing curam. Bila mau, dari sana mereka tinggal mendepaknya seperti terjadi pada ribuan tawanan lainnya.
Tapi di pagi musim dingin itu, tatkala mereka menggiringnya ke ladang seperti binatang, memukuli punggungnya dengan popor senapan, pikiran justru Viktor Frankl terbang tinggi, melayang melebihi siksaan dari para penindas. Selama beberapa saat segala kekejaman mereka terlupakan, ia beralih merenungkan gambaran istrinya.
Padahal entah apakah istrinya masih hidup atau sudah mati waktu itu. Yang jelas dalam batin ia mendengar bait kedelapan Kidung Solomon, “Tempatkan aku dalam hatimu, cinta sama kuatnya seperti kematian (halaman 43).”
Buku ini memuat pula kesaksian menggetarkan Viktor Frankl dalam karya Man’s Search for Meaning, “Pikiran saya terpaku pada sosok istri, membayangkannya dengan sangat nyata…Entah nyata atau tidak, pandangannya lebih bercahaya daripada matahari yang mulai terbit…Saat itulah saya menangkap makna rahasia terbesar yang terpatri pada puisi, pikiran, dan keyakinan manusia: keselamatan manusia ialah melalui cinta dan di dalam cinta.”
Dalam penawanan dan penyiksaan yang sangat melecehkan nilai kemanusiaan di kamp Auschwitz tersebut, memang api asmara Viktor kepada Tilly istrinya tak pernah padam. Berbekal cinta itulah, ia mampu mempertahankan sesuatu yang menurut asumsi musuh sudah berhasil dimusnahkan. Padahal satu harta intangible (tak tersentuh) tersebut tidak pernah dapat direnggut oleh orang lain, yakni martabat.
Tak kenal maka tak sayang, begitu kata pepatah. Siapakah Viktor Frankl? Lewat buku ini John McCain dan Mark Salter mengisahkan kehidupan masa lalu pria kelahiran Wina, Austria itu.
Viktor Frankl anak kedua dari ayah yang mandiri, tegas, dan berprinsip. Sebuah kombinasi apik karena sang ibu senantiasa mendidiknya dengan penuh cinta. Pada usia 4 tahun, Viktor kecil sudah mantap dengan pilihan cita-citanya. Ia hendak menjadi dokter agar bisa menyembuhkan akal manusia.
Viktor Frankl tinggal di satu daerah yang sama dengan Sigmund Freud. Pada usia 16 tahun, ia pernah mengirimi Freud esai tentang pemahamannya. Freud membalas surat itu dan mengatakan bahwa ia sangat terkesan dengan esai Frankl. Lalu, ia merekomendasikan sebuah jurnal untuk memuat dan memublikasikan esai tersebut.
Setelah lulus dari Universitas Wina sebagai seorang dokter muda pada 1930, Viktor Frankl mulai berpraktik psikiatri. Walau sangat menghormati Freud, kesimpulannya terkait penyakit mental berbeda dengan teori Freud. Kalau Freud percaya bahwa penyakit mental disebabkan oleh konflik antara dorongan dan naluri bawah sadar seseorang dengan kebiasaan dan norma sosial di masyarakat, sementara ia meyakini bahwa kepuasan emosional seseorang tergantung pada kemampuannya menemukan makna hidup yang lebih besar ketimbang dorongan naluriah.
Viktor Frankl juga melihat pencarian makna hidup memungkinkan seseorang mengangkat diri lebih tinggi, tidak saja dari hasrat egoismenya, tetapi juga melampaui kemalangan dan kekejaman. Pandangan tersebut didukung oleh kajian filsafat maupun analisi klinis. Tapi siapa sangka ternyata beberapa tahun kemudian ia mengalami langsung pergulatan memaknai kehidupan dalam situasi kemanusiaan yang sedemikan keji.
Kamp Auschwitz
Sebagai keturunan Yahudi, saat Jerman menyerbu Austria pada 1938, semua keluarga Yahudi-Austria mendapat perlakukan keji dari Nazi. Awalnya, Viktor Frankl masih dizinkan bekerja di satu-satunya rumah sakit. Ia khusus merawat orang Yahudi saja. Viktor Frankl menyelamatkan para pasien dari aturan tentara Nazi yang mengharuskan penderita sakit mental dikirim ke kamp konsentrasi. Selain itu, Viktor Frankl juga mulai menulis buku berjudul The Doctor and the Soul.
Suatu ketika, ia melamar pindah ke Amerika. Tujuannya agar bisa mengejar jenjang karier profesional tanpa direcoki dengan rasisme sebagaimana terjadi di Wina. Setelah menunggu beberapa lama, ia berhasil mendapat visa. Tapi visa tersebut hanya berlaku untuk sendiri. Ia harus meninggalkan keluarganya terancam kekejaman tentara Nazi di kampung halaman. Saat berjalan pulang dari konsulat Amerika, ia memohon petunjuk dari Tuhan. Begitu masuk rumah, ayahnya mengambil sepotong marmer dari seruntuhan sinagoga yang telah diluluhlantakkan Nazi, di potongan marmer tersebut terukir kalimat: Hormati ayah dan ibumu.
Alhasil, Viktor Frankl membiarkan visanya kadaluarsa. Ia memilih tinggal bersama ayah, ibu, dan saudaranya untuk bersama-sama menghadapi genosida. Dalam reruntuhan puing-pung akibat perang, masih bermekaran bunga-bunga cinta. Ia jatuh hati pada seorang perawat cantik, Mathilde “Tilly” Grosser. Mereka akhirnya menikah pada Deesember 1941, sebagai pasangan Yahudi terakhir yang dibolehkan menikah.
Sembilan bulan kemudian seluruh keluarga Viktor Frankl dan Tilly dikirim ke kamp konsentrasi Theresienstadt, dekat Praha. Walau di sana lebih baik kondisinya ketimbang kamp-kamp konsentrasi lain karena tidak ada ruang gas dan krematorium, tapi ayah Viktor Frankl meninggal dunia dalam pelukannya. Selanjutnya, keluarga yang tersisa dipindah ke kamp yang paling terkenal, Auschwitz.
Ketika tiba, ia dan Tilly segera dipisahkan dalam kamp untuk laki-laki dan perempuan. Itulah pertemuan terakhir mereka. Usai perang, Viktor Frankl baru tahu bahwa Tilly telah meninggal dunia di kamp lain, Bergen-Belsen.
Dalam buku ini terungkap bagaimana perjuangan Viktor Frankl agar bisa tetap hidup. Ia mengingat istrinya, membayangkan hari ketika mereka bisa berkumpul kembali. Ia mengamini kebijaksanaan Nietzche, “Yang punya alasan untuk hidup dapat menanggung setiap cara hidup.”
Selama tiga tahun ia terus menerima kekejaman, penghinaan, dan aneka tindakan biadab lainnya. Ia menyadari bahwa mustahil mengandalkan keadilan atau sekadar belas-kasihan dari orang lain. Tapi ia tetap mempertahankan harapan, bahkan ketika tubuhnya tertular tifus, akhirnya pun bisa sembuh kembali.
Viktor Frankl juga dipaksa bekerja keras dengan sedikit roti dan semangkuk sup encer untuk bertahan hidup. Ia mengamati rekan-rekan sesama tahanan lainnya, ternyata mereka yang melepas harapan, bahkan bila fisiknya lebih sehat sekalipun, jadi musnah. Kenapa? Karena mereka mengharap sesuatu dari hidup, dan ketika hidup tidak memberi apa-apa kecuali hanya kekejaman, mereka menyerah.
Artinya, ketahanan hidup bergantung pada pemahaman dan penerimaan atas eksistensi harapan hidup. Dengan menerapkannya dalam tahanan, kita bisa menemukan makna hidup bahkan dalam penderitaan yang terburuk dan menikmati beberapa harta karun pemberian-Nya yang masih kita miliki: keramahan dari orang lain, keindahan matahari terbit, keanggunan pohon yang tumbuh di musim semi (halaman 47).
Secara lebih mendalam, dari pengalaman tersebut Viktor Frankl menyimpulkan bahwa makna hidup dapat dicapai dengan tiga cara. Pertama, dengan menciptakan karya atau melakukan tindakan. Kedua, dengan mengalami dan berefleksi dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Ketiga, dengan sikap yang kita ambil dalam menghadapi penderitaan. Karena kebebasan terakhir manusia terletak pada pilihan sikapnya dalam situasi apa pun.
Akhirnya ujung penderitaan pun tiba, perang pun usai. Tawanan yang masih hidup berjalan menuju kebebasan. Tapi banyak yang belum bebas dari penderitaan. Termasuk Viktor Frankl, karena ia baru tahu bahwa orang-orang yang dicintainya seperti Tilly telah meninggal dunia. Satu baris kalimat yang tetap menguatkan Viktor, “Seluruh dunia berputar karena cinta.” Kata mutiara tersebut terpatri di mata kalung peninggalan Tilly.
Viktor Frankl menerima fakta tersebut dan tetap hidup. Ia menjalani hari-hari baru dengan penuh harapan dan bermartabat. Ia diberi posisi sebagai dokter di sebuah rumah sakit. Ia kembali melakukan praktik psikiatri dengan keyakinan lebih mendalam daripada sebelum mengalami penderitaan. Ia memberi konseling seperti dulu ia menguatkan teman-temannya di tahanan kamp konsentrasi.
Intinya, kebahagiaan mustahil dikejar. Kebahagiaan, menurut Viktor Frankl, muncul secara alamiah dari hidup bermakna, dari pemilihan keputusan moral yang tepat, dan mencintai seseorang secara tulus. Ia mencintai wanita lain, Elly. Pasangan bahagia tersebut dikarunia seorang putri dan tetap setia pada pernikahan sampai pesta emas 50 tahun.
Viktor Frankl juga menyelesaikan naskahnya dan menerbitkan 20 buku lebih. Termasuk salah satu master piece, Man’s Seacrh for Meaning. Tak kurang dari sepuluh juta buku tersebut telah terjual dan memberi makna bagi banyak orang. Ia tetap mendaki gunung dan belajar terbang dengan parasut pada usia 67 tahun. Ia hidup sejahtera dan bahagia sampai usia sembilan puluhan dan tak pernah pensiun (halaman 50).
Inspirasi Segar
Salah seorang penulis buku “34 Karakter Mulia yang Menggugah Dunia, Character is Destiny” ini John McCain. Ia Senator Amerika Serikat yang pernah menjadi pesaing tangguh Barack Obama dalam Pilpres USA. Selain berkecimpung pada ranah politik, ternyata Purnawirawan Angkatan Laut (AL) tersebut juga piawai menulis.
Tandemnya kali ini dalam merampungkan buku setebal 435 halaman ialah Mark Salter, pengarang buku-buku laris: Why Courage Matter (Pentingnya Keberanian), Faith of My Father (Keyakinan Ayah Saya), dan Worth the Fighting For (Nilai sebuah Perjuangan).
Total buku ini memuat 34 kisah inspiratif tokoh besar kaliber dunia. Secara struktural terbagi atas 7 bab. Masing-masing bagian mengupas sebuah nilai keutamaan. Misalnya pada bab 6: Kreativitas, kualitas tersebut tercermin dalam diri Ferdinand Magellan, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Theodore Roosevelt, dan Wilma Rudolfh.
Silakan buka secara acak, niscaya sidang pembaca menemukan hikmah pelajaran hidup yang bermakna. Bukan berupa serangkaian kotbah dari puncak menara gading, tapi pengalaman hidup yang riil dan membumi. Tiap lembarnya mengungkap secara luwes lika-liku pergulatan para tokoh hebat. Lengkap dengan suka-duka yang mengiringi sepanjang perlintasan ziarah hidupnya.
Ibarat menemukan oase di padang gersang, membaca buku ini menjadi sebuah aktivitas menyegarkan. Sebab kita bisa meneladani pengalaman hidup sesama umat manusia. Terutama dari karakter-karakter mulia yang telah mengubah alur sejarah dunia lewat teladan nyata. Antara lain Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas More, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mark Twain, Bunda Teresa, dll.
Kelemahan minor buku ini karena mayoritas tokoh berasal dari luar negeri. Alangkah indahnya bila suatu saat, ada seorang penulis lokal yang mengggali kehidupan para tokoh nasional yang tersebar dari Sabang sampai Merauke. Selamat membaca!
Dimuat di Okezone.com, Kamis/27 Februari 2014
See more at: http://suar.okezone.com/read/2014/02/...
Judul: 34 Karakter Mulia Yang Menggugah Dunia, Character is Destiny
Penulis: John McCain dan Mark Salter
Penerjemah: T. Harmaya
Penerbit: Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Cetakan: III/Maret 2013
Tebal: xix + 435 halaman
ISBN: 9789792294347
Harga: Rp78.000
Bala tentara Nazi telah merampas semua dari Viktor Frankl. Mereka merenggut kebebasan, mimpi, dan keluarganya. Mereka membuatnya kelaparan, menyumpahi, memfitnah, dan menyiksa hingga melampaui batas kemanusiaan.
Bahkan mereka pernah menggantungkan hidup Viktor Frankl di atas tebing curam. Bila mau, dari sana mereka tinggal mendepaknya seperti terjadi pada ribuan tawanan lainnya.
Tapi di pagi musim dingin itu, tatkala mereka menggiringnya ke ladang seperti binatang, memukuli punggungnya dengan popor senapan, pikiran justru Viktor Frankl terbang tinggi, melayang melebihi siksaan dari para penindas. Selama beberapa saat segala kekejaman mereka terlupakan, ia beralih merenungkan gambaran istrinya.
Padahal entah apakah istrinya masih hidup atau sudah mati waktu itu. Yang jelas dalam batin ia mendengar bait kedelapan Kidung Solomon, “Tempatkan aku dalam hatimu, cinta sama kuatnya seperti kematian (halaman 43).”
Buku ini memuat pula kesaksian menggetarkan Viktor Frankl dalam karya Man’s Search for Meaning, “Pikiran saya terpaku pada sosok istri, membayangkannya dengan sangat nyata…Entah nyata atau tidak, pandangannya lebih bercahaya daripada matahari yang mulai terbit…Saat itulah saya menangkap makna rahasia terbesar yang terpatri pada puisi, pikiran, dan keyakinan manusia: keselamatan manusia ialah melalui cinta dan di dalam cinta.”
Dalam penawanan dan penyiksaan yang sangat melecehkan nilai kemanusiaan di kamp Auschwitz tersebut, memang api asmara Viktor kepada Tilly istrinya tak pernah padam. Berbekal cinta itulah, ia mampu mempertahankan sesuatu yang menurut asumsi musuh sudah berhasil dimusnahkan. Padahal satu harta intangible (tak tersentuh) tersebut tidak pernah dapat direnggut oleh orang lain, yakni martabat.
Tak kenal maka tak sayang, begitu kata pepatah. Siapakah Viktor Frankl? Lewat buku ini John McCain dan Mark Salter mengisahkan kehidupan masa lalu pria kelahiran Wina, Austria itu.
Viktor Frankl anak kedua dari ayah yang mandiri, tegas, dan berprinsip. Sebuah kombinasi apik karena sang ibu senantiasa mendidiknya dengan penuh cinta. Pada usia 4 tahun, Viktor kecil sudah mantap dengan pilihan cita-citanya. Ia hendak menjadi dokter agar bisa menyembuhkan akal manusia.
Viktor Frankl tinggal di satu daerah yang sama dengan Sigmund Freud. Pada usia 16 tahun, ia pernah mengirimi Freud esai tentang pemahamannya. Freud membalas surat itu dan mengatakan bahwa ia sangat terkesan dengan esai Frankl. Lalu, ia merekomendasikan sebuah jurnal untuk memuat dan memublikasikan esai tersebut.
Setelah lulus dari Universitas Wina sebagai seorang dokter muda pada 1930, Viktor Frankl mulai berpraktik psikiatri. Walau sangat menghormati Freud, kesimpulannya terkait penyakit mental berbeda dengan teori Freud. Kalau Freud percaya bahwa penyakit mental disebabkan oleh konflik antara dorongan dan naluri bawah sadar seseorang dengan kebiasaan dan norma sosial di masyarakat, sementara ia meyakini bahwa kepuasan emosional seseorang tergantung pada kemampuannya menemukan makna hidup yang lebih besar ketimbang dorongan naluriah.
Viktor Frankl juga melihat pencarian makna hidup memungkinkan seseorang mengangkat diri lebih tinggi, tidak saja dari hasrat egoismenya, tetapi juga melampaui kemalangan dan kekejaman. Pandangan tersebut didukung oleh kajian filsafat maupun analisi klinis. Tapi siapa sangka ternyata beberapa tahun kemudian ia mengalami langsung pergulatan memaknai kehidupan dalam situasi kemanusiaan yang sedemikan keji.
Kamp Auschwitz
Sebagai keturunan Yahudi, saat Jerman menyerbu Austria pada 1938, semua keluarga Yahudi-Austria mendapat perlakukan keji dari Nazi. Awalnya, Viktor Frankl masih dizinkan bekerja di satu-satunya rumah sakit. Ia khusus merawat orang Yahudi saja. Viktor Frankl menyelamatkan para pasien dari aturan tentara Nazi yang mengharuskan penderita sakit mental dikirim ke kamp konsentrasi. Selain itu, Viktor Frankl juga mulai menulis buku berjudul The Doctor and the Soul.
Suatu ketika, ia melamar pindah ke Amerika. Tujuannya agar bisa mengejar jenjang karier profesional tanpa direcoki dengan rasisme sebagaimana terjadi di Wina. Setelah menunggu beberapa lama, ia berhasil mendapat visa. Tapi visa tersebut hanya berlaku untuk sendiri. Ia harus meninggalkan keluarganya terancam kekejaman tentara Nazi di kampung halaman. Saat berjalan pulang dari konsulat Amerika, ia memohon petunjuk dari Tuhan. Begitu masuk rumah, ayahnya mengambil sepotong marmer dari seruntuhan sinagoga yang telah diluluhlantakkan Nazi, di potongan marmer tersebut terukir kalimat: Hormati ayah dan ibumu.
Alhasil, Viktor Frankl membiarkan visanya kadaluarsa. Ia memilih tinggal bersama ayah, ibu, dan saudaranya untuk bersama-sama menghadapi genosida. Dalam reruntuhan puing-pung akibat perang, masih bermekaran bunga-bunga cinta. Ia jatuh hati pada seorang perawat cantik, Mathilde “Tilly” Grosser. Mereka akhirnya menikah pada Deesember 1941, sebagai pasangan Yahudi terakhir yang dibolehkan menikah.
Sembilan bulan kemudian seluruh keluarga Viktor Frankl dan Tilly dikirim ke kamp konsentrasi Theresienstadt, dekat Praha. Walau di sana lebih baik kondisinya ketimbang kamp-kamp konsentrasi lain karena tidak ada ruang gas dan krematorium, tapi ayah Viktor Frankl meninggal dunia dalam pelukannya. Selanjutnya, keluarga yang tersisa dipindah ke kamp yang paling terkenal, Auschwitz.
Ketika tiba, ia dan Tilly segera dipisahkan dalam kamp untuk laki-laki dan perempuan. Itulah pertemuan terakhir mereka. Usai perang, Viktor Frankl baru tahu bahwa Tilly telah meninggal dunia di kamp lain, Bergen-Belsen.
Dalam buku ini terungkap bagaimana perjuangan Viktor Frankl agar bisa tetap hidup. Ia mengingat istrinya, membayangkan hari ketika mereka bisa berkumpul kembali. Ia mengamini kebijaksanaan Nietzche, “Yang punya alasan untuk hidup dapat menanggung setiap cara hidup.”
Selama tiga tahun ia terus menerima kekejaman, penghinaan, dan aneka tindakan biadab lainnya. Ia menyadari bahwa mustahil mengandalkan keadilan atau sekadar belas-kasihan dari orang lain. Tapi ia tetap mempertahankan harapan, bahkan ketika tubuhnya tertular tifus, akhirnya pun bisa sembuh kembali.
Viktor Frankl juga dipaksa bekerja keras dengan sedikit roti dan semangkuk sup encer untuk bertahan hidup. Ia mengamati rekan-rekan sesama tahanan lainnya, ternyata mereka yang melepas harapan, bahkan bila fisiknya lebih sehat sekalipun, jadi musnah. Kenapa? Karena mereka mengharap sesuatu dari hidup, dan ketika hidup tidak memberi apa-apa kecuali hanya kekejaman, mereka menyerah.
Artinya, ketahanan hidup bergantung pada pemahaman dan penerimaan atas eksistensi harapan hidup. Dengan menerapkannya dalam tahanan, kita bisa menemukan makna hidup bahkan dalam penderitaan yang terburuk dan menikmati beberapa harta karun pemberian-Nya yang masih kita miliki: keramahan dari orang lain, keindahan matahari terbit, keanggunan pohon yang tumbuh di musim semi (halaman 47).
Secara lebih mendalam, dari pengalaman tersebut Viktor Frankl menyimpulkan bahwa makna hidup dapat dicapai dengan tiga cara. Pertama, dengan menciptakan karya atau melakukan tindakan. Kedua, dengan mengalami dan berefleksi dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Ketiga, dengan sikap yang kita ambil dalam menghadapi penderitaan. Karena kebebasan terakhir manusia terletak pada pilihan sikapnya dalam situasi apa pun.
Akhirnya ujung penderitaan pun tiba, perang pun usai. Tawanan yang masih hidup berjalan menuju kebebasan. Tapi banyak yang belum bebas dari penderitaan. Termasuk Viktor Frankl, karena ia baru tahu bahwa orang-orang yang dicintainya seperti Tilly telah meninggal dunia. Satu baris kalimat yang tetap menguatkan Viktor, “Seluruh dunia berputar karena cinta.” Kata mutiara tersebut terpatri di mata kalung peninggalan Tilly.
Viktor Frankl menerima fakta tersebut dan tetap hidup. Ia menjalani hari-hari baru dengan penuh harapan dan bermartabat. Ia diberi posisi sebagai dokter di sebuah rumah sakit. Ia kembali melakukan praktik psikiatri dengan keyakinan lebih mendalam daripada sebelum mengalami penderitaan. Ia memberi konseling seperti dulu ia menguatkan teman-temannya di tahanan kamp konsentrasi.
Intinya, kebahagiaan mustahil dikejar. Kebahagiaan, menurut Viktor Frankl, muncul secara alamiah dari hidup bermakna, dari pemilihan keputusan moral yang tepat, dan mencintai seseorang secara tulus. Ia mencintai wanita lain, Elly. Pasangan bahagia tersebut dikarunia seorang putri dan tetap setia pada pernikahan sampai pesta emas 50 tahun.
Viktor Frankl juga menyelesaikan naskahnya dan menerbitkan 20 buku lebih. Termasuk salah satu master piece, Man’s Seacrh for Meaning. Tak kurang dari sepuluh juta buku tersebut telah terjual dan memberi makna bagi banyak orang. Ia tetap mendaki gunung dan belajar terbang dengan parasut pada usia 67 tahun. Ia hidup sejahtera dan bahagia sampai usia sembilan puluhan dan tak pernah pensiun (halaman 50).
Inspirasi Segar
Salah seorang penulis buku “34 Karakter Mulia yang Menggugah Dunia, Character is Destiny” ini John McCain. Ia Senator Amerika Serikat yang pernah menjadi pesaing tangguh Barack Obama dalam Pilpres USA. Selain berkecimpung pada ranah politik, ternyata Purnawirawan Angkatan Laut (AL) tersebut juga piawai menulis.
Tandemnya kali ini dalam merampungkan buku setebal 435 halaman ialah Mark Salter, pengarang buku-buku laris: Why Courage Matter (Pentingnya Keberanian), Faith of My Father (Keyakinan Ayah Saya), dan Worth the Fighting For (Nilai sebuah Perjuangan).
Total buku ini memuat 34 kisah inspiratif tokoh besar kaliber dunia. Secara struktural terbagi atas 7 bab. Masing-masing bagian mengupas sebuah nilai keutamaan. Misalnya pada bab 6: Kreativitas, kualitas tersebut tercermin dalam diri Ferdinand Magellan, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Theodore Roosevelt, dan Wilma Rudolfh.
Silakan buka secara acak, niscaya sidang pembaca menemukan hikmah pelajaran hidup yang bermakna. Bukan berupa serangkaian kotbah dari puncak menara gading, tapi pengalaman hidup yang riil dan membumi. Tiap lembarnya mengungkap secara luwes lika-liku pergulatan para tokoh hebat. Lengkap dengan suka-duka yang mengiringi sepanjang perlintasan ziarah hidupnya.
Ibarat menemukan oase di padang gersang, membaca buku ini menjadi sebuah aktivitas menyegarkan. Sebab kita bisa meneladani pengalaman hidup sesama umat manusia. Terutama dari karakter-karakter mulia yang telah mengubah alur sejarah dunia lewat teladan nyata. Antara lain Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas More, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mark Twain, Bunda Teresa, dll.
Kelemahan minor buku ini karena mayoritas tokoh berasal dari luar negeri. Alangkah indahnya bila suatu saat, ada seorang penulis lokal yang mengggali kehidupan para tokoh nasional yang tersebar dari Sabang sampai Merauke. Selamat membaca!
August 13, 2024
I’d go 4.5, a few slow stories, but great combo of inspirational examples of character, along with short historical biographies of names we know but perhaps didn’t know in depth
March 26, 2024
I don't often give 5 stars for any book. This is one of those books everyone should read, especially the young. An inspiring collection of life stories; stories of selflessness and courage.
December 20, 2016
I got to see Rome's stadium where the fastest runners in the world would compete for gold medals, fame and immortality in the 60's Olympics.
It was in this book that I learned in the year 1940, of a little black girl born in Tennessee, weighing 4 pounds. Her parents were poor, working many jobs to survive, in a segregated south. Little Wilma wasn't expected to live long, born the 20th child in the family. She was chronically ill and in bed sick, with measles, mumps, whooping couch, chicken pox, scarlet fever, cold, flu, disability and severe pneumonia. Wilma was diagnosed with polio and was told by doctors she would never walk again.
"The worst times.. were the mornings, when she pressed her face against the window and watch her brothers and sisters walk to school."
At first Wilma hopped on one leg to get around. Then she was given leg braces like Forrest Gump but unlike Forrest, Wilma had crutches to help her. She had constant prayers by her faith believing parents and massage therapy on her legs by her 21 brothers and sisters. For years she would watch her siblings play basketball and dream of being able to run and play with them. Wilma would persevere through intense trials and broke out of her leg braces at the age of 12, and no longer wore the special orthpedic shoes and learned to walk without being dependent on anything or anyone.
Wilma joined the basketball team in middle school, even though the coach kept her on the bench. Then in high-school, she would play basketball and became the star player, scoring 49 points in a single game. She made the all state team twice and took her basketball team to the state championship where the referee was also a coach of the Tennessee State University, track and field team called the Tiger-bells and invited her to the teams summer camp.
Then in the year 1960 came the Olympics to Rome. Wilma, loved nothing more then running and once said, "I dont know why I run so fast. I just run."
Jutta Heine, from West Germany, never lost a race and was the fastest runner in the world at the time. This was the Olympics the Americans fared poorly in, except for a teenage boxer who was unbeatable, won the gold medal and told the world, "I am the greatest."
As for Wilma, the bed ridden girl, had made it all the way to the Olympics, only to sprain her ankle in practice. "For a girl who had been told she would never walk again, a sprained ankle hardly qualified as a distraction."
Wilma was 6 foot tall and ran the race with graceful long legs. The people of Rome were calling her, "La Gazelle Noire." The Black Gazelle, exploded, winning more gold medals then any American women before her and was the fastest women on earth. "She is the greatest," the late Muhamad Ali would say of the other American star at those Olympics.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim 4:7-8
It was in this book that I learned in the year 1940, of a little black girl born in Tennessee, weighing 4 pounds. Her parents were poor, working many jobs to survive, in a segregated south. Little Wilma wasn't expected to live long, born the 20th child in the family. She was chronically ill and in bed sick, with measles, mumps, whooping couch, chicken pox, scarlet fever, cold, flu, disability and severe pneumonia. Wilma was diagnosed with polio and was told by doctors she would never walk again.
"The worst times.. were the mornings, when she pressed her face against the window and watch her brothers and sisters walk to school."
At first Wilma hopped on one leg to get around. Then she was given leg braces like Forrest Gump but unlike Forrest, Wilma had crutches to help her. She had constant prayers by her faith believing parents and massage therapy on her legs by her 21 brothers and sisters. For years she would watch her siblings play basketball and dream of being able to run and play with them. Wilma would persevere through intense trials and broke out of her leg braces at the age of 12, and no longer wore the special orthpedic shoes and learned to walk without being dependent on anything or anyone.
Wilma joined the basketball team in middle school, even though the coach kept her on the bench. Then in high-school, she would play basketball and became the star player, scoring 49 points in a single game. She made the all state team twice and took her basketball team to the state championship where the referee was also a coach of the Tennessee State University, track and field team called the Tiger-bells and invited her to the teams summer camp.
Then in the year 1960 came the Olympics to Rome. Wilma, loved nothing more then running and once said, "I dont know why I run so fast. I just run."
Jutta Heine, from West Germany, never lost a race and was the fastest runner in the world at the time. This was the Olympics the Americans fared poorly in, except for a teenage boxer who was unbeatable, won the gold medal and told the world, "I am the greatest."
As for Wilma, the bed ridden girl, had made it all the way to the Olympics, only to sprain her ankle in practice. "For a girl who had been told she would never walk again, a sprained ankle hardly qualified as a distraction."
Wilma was 6 foot tall and ran the race with graceful long legs. The people of Rome were calling her, "La Gazelle Noire." The Black Gazelle, exploded, winning more gold medals then any American women before her and was the fastest women on earth. "She is the greatest," the late Muhamad Ali would say of the other American star at those Olympics.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim 4:7-8
June 9, 2012
This book is not about John McCain or his politics. It contains biographies of people with great character, some of which are very famous, (Ghandi, Joan of Arc) and some which might not be as well known. (Edith Cadwell, Romeo Dallaire, Tecumseh, Aung San Suu Kyi). I loved all the details and the way each person is celebrated for their strengths and values. I only gave it three stars because the writing is just not very good. However it's not horrible and I still have found myself re-reading some of the stories in a effort to commit them to memory.
December 3, 2016
This was a really interesting book. John had people in here that are of course very famous to the not so famous.
I loved reading about the back stories of the famous people, many of whom I did not know all the details about in their lives.
The not so famous ones were great also.
Overall, these stories were very inspiring and I feel he made the subtitle of his book the perfect one. "Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember". Now, will I remember all of these?
I loved reading about the back stories of the famous people, many of whom I did not know all the details about in their lives.
The not so famous ones were great also.
Overall, these stories were very inspiring and I feel he made the subtitle of his book the perfect one. "Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember". Now, will I remember all of these?
October 18, 2010
This book was a real joy to read. It is a compilation of short stories about famous people around the world. It showed their great character and fortitude. I learned so much more about these great people. The “Subtext” to the Title is “Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember”. I certainly echo these words! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves great examples of conquest in the face of trials.
December 23, 2012
Believe in character vs destiny, examples of Thomas Moore, Ernest Shackleton, Mother Teresa, Victor Frankel, Tillie-the whole world turned on love, Pat Tillman, learn more from one bad decision than many right, John Wooten, explain demo correct repeat, Edith Gavel, Abe Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Osceola McCarty, Tecumseh, Ted Roosevelt and rooting out corruption and mistrusted compromise, it's about living a Virtuous life--a benefit of schools.
July 8, 2008
This book educates the reader about people who lived significant lives. I like this book because I was unaware of the details of many of these famous people. I can't help but know of Mother Teresa or TR or Lincoln for example but significant facts unknown to me were highlighted and were fascinating. I hope to read biographies on some of the individuals profiled in this book.
January 27, 2010
Each chapter is comprised of an account of an inspirational person. From Gandhi to Pat Tillman... Wide scope, but well written. I picked up the audiobook thinking it was going to be about John McCain, but it wasn't. It was better. I am still listening...
I finished listening. It was a great set of stories!
I finished listening. It was a great set of stories!
October 2, 2011
An anthology of 40 characters, each unique, each fascinating, each an incredible example to follow (less Magellan perhaps). As John McCain writes up front, this is a book for young and old alike. I absolutely loved this book and hope my children will as well. I half read and half listened; transiting between hard copy and audible book. The narrator for the audible version is outstanding.
August 7, 2012
Great book of short stories. We have used this book as a parent tool. We have made our boys read stories for transgressions and write an essay as part of their punishments hoping to instill values and morals. It has stopped and made them think about making good decisions, as well as the importance of sticking to what they believe in.
September 9, 2012
This was a great book with a number of different stories about people in history and why they are remembered - some are famous some are not. My suggestion is that every family get this book on cd and listen to it on car trips. It can be easily shut off after each chapter for a good discussion with the children.
Read
February 4, 2016Narrated by Arthur Morey. The Arizona senator has compiled essays about famous and not-so-famous people, past and present, whose inspirational lives exemplified the best of human spirit, unselfishness, ethics, justice and righteousness. The diverse profiles include Osceola McCarty, Gandhi, Teddy Roosevelt, Magellan, Joan of Arc, Wilma Rudolph, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci...
September 22, 2017
Such an inspirational book. A little slow, but worth it to give the individual stories a little time to seep in. Even the people I've heard of, I learned so much more. Not a political piece. A little religious, but not in a heavy-handed way. A good pick-me-up when you're feeling like everything around you is so negative!
July 8, 2019
We are reading this book aloud as a family. Senator McCain presents stories of well-known figures in history, as well as not-so-well known -- each an example of an admirable character trait. The stories are different and moving, and Senator McCain writes beautifully. My boys, ages 11 and 14, have learned a lot, and look forward to reading this book together.
December 20, 2008
Enjoyable brief biographies of some interesting people - my favorite in this selection is Victor Frankle. Mr. McCain probably didn't have so much to do with the writing, but that shouldn't take away from the value of these stories.
December 30, 2008
I actually listened to this one versus reading it. I thought it was great but John McCain wasn't the person who should have been reading it to be recorded. I think I'd have liked it even better if I'd "read" it versus "listened" to it.
October 12, 2010
I really like this book, from a totally nonpolitical standpoint. The stories are well written and intended for children and adults to share together. I read this with a kid I used to nanny for and it was a great bonding time! Plus, we talked about how to be a hero everyday. Definitely a great read!
August 12, 2010
Regardless of your political leanings, this book is great! It is about 40 different people from history that McCain feels exhibited great character. I truly agree that these are the stories our kids should be learning about and we should keep in mind as we teach them. Loved it!
December 14, 2013
I was surprised at the many little vignettes Mr. McCain did through these profiles of character. I was pleasantly encouraged by hearing these stories of people from all races, creeds, beliefs, and both genders. A good read, quick and encouraging.
October 28, 2017
The people John McCain chose to highlight were fairly obvious good choices from history. The short biographies of each were good to hear again. The telling and the lessons in character sounded a little heavy handed.
September 13, 2007
Great collection of stories about inspiring individuals; written more for the younger reader.
March 14, 2015
Great read. Wonderful profiles. The title is so right; some great profiles of people I never heard of but should have known in detail. Very inspirational.
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