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Above & Beyond: Former Marines Conquer the Civilian World

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I LOVED this book. It is truly inspirational for anyone---whether you're a Marine or not. This book proves that with hard work and dedication, even the simplest of ideas can catapult one into stardom, wealth and the good life. Need a lift? This book can help.

This book profiles a number of Marines, officer and enlisted alike, and tracks their success during and after their active-duty experience. It becomes clear that the self-discipline, team-work and USMC ethos (honor, courage, commitment) instilled from boot camp onward "hard-wires" these men and women for success in virtually any endeavor.
While military service isn't necessarily everyone's "cup of tea", most Americans would be well-served to devote a few years in military service. There, they learn self-mastery, meet people from all walks of life and ethnic groups, learn team over self, learn to take an order and to execute...regardless of personal opinion, and more.
If military preparedness and national defense are national priorities, they need to be equally tasked to all Americans, wealthy to impoverished. It is about higher duty for the overall good...not an individual's "choice".

This book has profiles of 88 successful former marines in a variety of industries with their bios and comments on what they learned in the corps that made them successful in life.

Fred Smith, CEO and Founder, Fedex; James Baker, Secretary of State; Charles Krulak, CEO MBNA Europe; Gary Cooper, CEO Commonwealth National Bank; Walter Boomer, CEO Rogers Corporation; Mike Kelly, CEO, TMP/Higland Partners; Jack Hawkins; Chancellor, Troy State; Patrick Taylor, Chairman Taylor Energy; Richard Simon, CEO United Service Industries; Drew Carey, actor; and the list goes on.

It is a good read for business people who want insight into real life examples of marine corps leadership principles. The book is different than pure management books like the Marine Corps Way, but has something that those books do not, a set of real life stories and comments from the people who made it happen.

It is also a good read for military personnel who want to understand how their traning can be applied and who has applied it in life.

Overall a substantive and inspirational book.

A portion of all proceeds will support Marine Corps charities.

The United States Marine Corps is the smallest unit of the four branches that make up the U.S. Armed Forces. In spite of the relatively small number of people passing through its ranks, the Marine Corps produce a disproportionate share of this country's leaders. It is because Marines are different from the rest of the population. They have a different mindset and have been taught to handle problems in a different manner. They are taught to find a way to solve the problem, regardless of extenuating circumstances. They do not make excuses or try to determine why it can't be done. Marine Corps training instill the self-control, discipline, self-assurance, and leadership skills that lead to high achievement later in life. Above & Beyond, Former Marines Conquer the Civilian World profiles 88 former Marines who took that winning attitude and applied it to the civilian sector. This book introduces a mix of former Marines who are very successful in the civilian fields they have chosen; some of these former Marines you already know, and many you don't know. You will meet reservists, "one-termers" and "lifers", as well as a former Marine Commandant who is very successful in the private sector. You will find out a little bit about each person profiled, but as you read the stories collectively, you will see a camaraderie of many races, ages, and personalities that make up the U.S. Marine Corps. Above & Beyond is a must for former, current and future Marines and their families.