Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (Reprint ed.) [Paperback]

James B. Stockdale (Author)

Book Description

Series: HOOVER INST PRESS PUBLICATION | Publication Date: July 1995

Vice Admiral Stockdale was on active duty in the navy for thirty-seven years. As a fighter pilot operating from an aircraft carrier, he was shot down over North Vietnam in 1965. As the senior naval officer among the prisoners of war in Hanoi for seven and a half years, he was tortured fifteen times, put in leg irons for two years, and confined in solitary for four years. This experience was the crucible for his philosophical thought on issues of character, leadership, integrity, personal and public virtue, and ethics. Much of his philosophy is drawn from the stoic philosophers, especially Epictetus, whom he had read before his capture. The selections in this volume converge around the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity—lessons just as valid for the challenges of present-day life as they were for the author's Vietnam experience.

Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Hoover Institution Press (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817993924
• ISBN-13: 978-0817993924
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars philosophy in the REAL world, June 12, 2000

By 

Anand Vengurlekar (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (Hoover Institution Press Publication) (Hardcover)

I was introduced to Epictetus and his follower Marcus Aurelius (yes, the Emperor from Gladiator the movie!) in the book by Tom Wolfe: "A Man In Full". Briefly , in this Dickensian style novel, one of the characters with a hard luck life and misunderstood personality comes across "meditations" by Marcus Aurelius (yes he DID exist) and this inspires him quite profoundly and empowers him, the effects of which reveberate through the rest of the novel. Intrigued I bought meditations and then the original stoic text: "Handbook" by Epictetus. The introductions of both refer to this book by Admiral Stockdale. The philosophy stunned me with its insights into OUR challenges that we face everyday in our careers, relationships and friendships. But to REALLY see how powerful this philosophy is, is to read this book. Our trials and tribulatons of urban life are nothing compared to Admiral Stockdale's experience of being a POW for several years, tortured and humiliated during the Vietnam war. The insights of how epictetus helped in his (successful) effort to survive & thrive, make this philosphy come "alive" beyond mere "deep words" and UNREALISTIC conclusions that most of us believe philosophy is. If you thought that, read this. If philosophy could make a "gungho" fighter pilot get through what he did, imagine just how REAL it must be.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Thought-Provoking Book, September 25, 2002

By 

Matthew Dodd (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (Reprint ed.) (Paperback)

I do not normally choose to read a book based on the author's resume', but Stockdale's credentials (retired thirty-three year U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (3-stars), spent over seven years as the highest ranking U.S. prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam, Medal of Honor recipient, 1992 Reform Party vice presidential candidate, president of the Naval War College and the Citadel, holder of eleven honorary doctoral degrees, experimental test pilot, author, professor), compelled me to read his book. I am very glad I followed my gut instincts, for Stockdale wrote one of the best thought-provoking books about life, character, and leadership that I have ever read.

This book is a collection of essays, speeches, and articles by Stockdale (and one by a Stockdale friend and colleague) about his many and diverse experiences and how they have influenced his personal philosophies about life, character, and leadership. Many of his key points are repeated throughout the book, but the different purposes and audiences for the essays, speeches, and articles prevented those key points from becoming stale.

Stockdale's key points included, but were not limited to: character is demonstrated under pressure; his POW experience was the defining event in his life, a blessing (that I believe most non-POWs (like myself) will have trouble understanding or appreciating); the value of an education in philosophic classics (i.e. Stoicism, Epictetus, the Enchiridion, etc.); his first-hand accounts of the events leading up to the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which officially began our involvement in the Vietnam War (I was surprised); how the lack of character and integrity in senior U.S. leadership prolonged the Vietnam War and ultimately led to defeat and betrayal; and how Vietnam's U.S. POWs differed from our POWs in other wars.

Not one of the easiest books to read, but certainly one of my most inspiring and stimulating readings. I believe this book is one that I will use as a frequent reference, and it is already influencing my personal research and reading selections.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put on your short list of books to live by, November 22, 2002

By 

R. C. Kopf "curtis kopf" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (Reprint ed.) (Paperback)

Stockdale mixes philosophy with his hard-earned wisdom as a POW in this incredible, honest inspiring book. Better than 99% of all self-help books. Read it, live it.