Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays) [Paperback]

James B. Stockdale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1993 | Series: Hoover Essays (Book 6)

"On September 9, 1965, I flew at 500 knots right into a flak trap, at tree-top level, in a little A-4 airplanet—the cockpit walls not even three feet apart—which I couldn't steer after it was on fire, its control system shot out. After ejection I had about thirty seconds to make my last statement in freedom before I landed in the main street of a little village right ahead. And so help me, I whispered to myself: 'five years down there, at least. I'm leaving the world of technology and entering the world of Epictetus' "What Epictetus [told] his students was that there can be no such thing as being the 'victim' of another. You can only be a 'victim' of yourself. It's all how you discipline your mind."

Product Details

• Paperback: 21 pages
• Publisher: Hoover Inst Pr (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817936920
• ISBN-13: 978-0817936921
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Putting stoic theory to the test, January 17, 2005

By 

Grady Am Harrison - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays) (Paperback)

I understand that the reviews are all over the place, you need to know what you are getting. If you are looking for an essay of surviving in the world of Epictetus this is IT, as I was looking for more reading by Stockdale, I was really moved by the "Thoughts of a philosophical fighter pilot" (in which you will find this essay as a chapter). If the essay is all you need to study, go for it, for a little more money go for the "Thoughts..."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, July 29, 2006

By 

Adam West - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays) (Paperback)

This essay is a short, clear introduction to the philosophy of stoicism. It is proof that the ideals of the philosophy can be of real use outside the classroom. It is also an awe inspiring example leadership, patriotism, loyalty, and honour.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This is not a story..., November 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays) (Paperback)

as the previous reviewer states, but rather an essay. I mention that just to let you the would be buyer know, that you are getting a 21 page essay in a pamphlet format. It would have made a great book, and a great story. That is what I thougt I was buying. As for the essay itself; having read the sample pages, I was hoping for insights into how he used the philosphies of Epictetus to handle the events of his imprisonment. He does this only in a general sense.