Customer Reviews

Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (Reprint ed.)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I do not waste my time reviewing marginal books. I thought long and hard before writing this review. It is presumptuous to comment on the life and thoughts of this man. But it is also compelling to encourage its readership by the broadest possible audience....especially our young people. It is especially relevant today, circa early 2008, as America decides on a President.

This is perhaps the most intellectually and emotionally charged book I have read. And yet Admiral Stockdale was a quiet, humble man. As previous reviewers have commented, there is a wealth of material: ethics, history, drama...but I focus on the introspection he demands of America, especially in choosing leaders that send our young men and women into harms was...and, at times, into 7 and-a-half years of constant torture.

Do not presume to think you know the substance of this book. I assure you, you will be proven wrong. The book is brutal. Yes, it does describe the torture and underground resistance - the ordeal and triumph American POWs. And that is more than useful for several generations of Americans who came to maturity when we, as a Nation, preferred to ignore a government's duplicity and, in many instances, stupidity in the conduct of war and national affairs.

The book is critical of the government. What? A Vice Admiral and holder of the Medal of Honor being critical of the government? Damn right! So pay attention. This is not a criticism based on emotion or a "why didn't you help me" cry. It's a demand...nothing less...that elected officials exhibit character. Character is unambiguous. You want an example...it is simple: It is not what you believe in. It is how you act.

On page 30, Stockdale recounts a conversation as I quote: "I think that in an important way, the television news industry is doing the whole country a continuing disservice. We constantly reinforce a bad idea that we helped invent - the idea that the key to being a good citizen, a discerning voter, is to know where all the candidates stand on all the issues. The issues are given center stage and the politician is cast as their suitor. We have made the expression `so much for philosophy, lets get down to issues' a maxim of conventional wisdom. And at news time every evening, all networks project scenes of harassed men and women being nailed down by stubborn interviewers who insist on quick answers on where their victims stand on gun control, abortion, and so on......

"...what's important is not the person's current views on transient issues, but his character."

And this, from Lester Crystal, then the President of NBC News!

Character. How does a man or woman of character act? They do not quibble. They do not lie. They do not debate "What 'is' is?"

On many levels, Stockdale defines the term.

I am not qualified to review Admiral Stockdale's work. He is an officer and scholar of the highest order. I am rating it as five stars, not because of my opinion of his writing, but because of my conviction that this book serves as a starting point for learning about one's self. This collection of essays and speeches is a college-level survey course in what it means to be a warrior, a leader, and a man. Additionally, the book is an excellent bibliography for anyone looking for recommended reading on moral philosophy. I recommend this to all military officers, as well as anyone who wishes to overcome a "victim" mentality.

Amazing collection of speeches and essays from the inimitable Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale. Full of genuine wisdom garnered mostly from his time as a POW leader in Communist Vietnam on subjects such as morality, leadership, and personal resolve. Very powerful from page to page with a philosophy that the reader can profitably use in his own life, even if not pushed to the extremes that Stockdale was. Wish we had more men like him today. Best thing I've read in some time. Would definitely give it another star if possible.

Having read both this book and James and Sybil Stockdale's IN LOVE AND WAR, I enthusiastically recommend them both. That said, THOUGHTS of a PHILOSOPHICAL FIGHTER PILOT (Thoughts...) is the one I have on my bookshelf, and the one to which I find myself referring frequently.

Thoughts... is a collection of several essays and speeches given by VADM Stockdale over the years. Each is powerful and profound, with elegant and simple points that, for me at least, have stuck with me since reading the book. While there is some redundancy as VADM Stockdale worked the same themes into several speeches, that does allow the reader to really distill the philosophical anchors which allowed him survive almost eight years in the Hanoi Hilton not just with his dignity in tact, but with the devotion to duty that earned him the Medal of Honor while in the "Pressure Cooker".

Thoughts... is a amazing collection, that will make you better person and make you *think*. VADM Stockdales observation that our election process focuses too much attention on ISSUES may at first sound absurd. He points out however, that complex problems rarely have the 30-second sound-bite solutions given by politicians trying to get elected on CNN, that most crisis encountered by our leaders were never addressed (since they were surprises) in the campaigns, and the honorable performance of ones duty depends on his (or her) character, not whether he's right or left of center.

Despite my description of the book as "a handbook for life..." this isn't some Dr. Phil pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps self-help pamphlet. VADM Stockdale has learned some hard lessons. He articulately shares them with the reader. Rooted in the fundamentals of classical philosophy and history, he provides simple building-blocks for an honorable life.

Read this book, and you will be a better person for it.

Part of this book describes Stoic Ethics, a philosophy described by the author as, (paraphrasing) "if you can be happy with nothing, you are a stoic. If you can be happy while you are suffering, you are a stoic. If you can be happy in prison, you are a stoic."

Stoic Ethics provide a vital link between Buddhism and Christianity. Christianity says that suffering for the right reasons is good, and Buddhism says that the ability to be happy while one is suffering extremely is a valuable skill. Stoic Ethics, as described by Adm. James Stockdale, provides a framework on how to walk that difficult path and be happy while doing it.

Adm. Stockdale did not know when he would need this philosophy, but it proved extremely valuable in his torturous stay in the Hanoi Hilton. You may not know when you will need it either. He also describes his role on a return to society and how to be happy when you have the entire world at your feet, a principle not advanced by Buddhism.

He received the Medal of Honor for his courage and leadership.

I highly recommend buying and studying this book.

VADM Stockdale's writing is composed of selected speeches and writings from his past as a fighter pilot, wing commander, POW, college president, and trusted lecturer. With his anchoring in the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, he leads us through the unbelievably difficult terrain of the philosophical underpinnings which are required to operate in the stress environments of warrior and citizen. It is a powerful offering that any fighter pilot, former fighter pilot, or fighter pilot to be needs to read and keep nearby. For the citizen, it is a call to the pureness of operating correctly so as not to bring self condemnation from which springs evil in society. It is difficult to conceive of anyone, regardless of his background or philosophy, who would not be entranced by his joining of real-life drama and events to the achievement of a way to think and live. It is as good a book as this fighter pilot has ever read!

Stockdale takes you inside the mind of an incredible man who faced years of torture and came out on top. He introduces you to the philosophy of Epicticus and Aristotle and the Enchiridian.

Not what I expected but certainly more than I could dream. Floating down in a parachute uninjured heading for an enemy village he makes a decision that 'this is at least five years' and then he explains how we all have a role to play, there are no victims - as I said, incredible and fascinating view of his philosophy.

It would serve us all well.
Outstanding read!