" The Admiral's Bookshelf by James Stavridis is absolutely enchanting - an extraordinary exploration of twenty-five literary adventures, each journey skillfully navigated with the brilliant insights of a passionate lover of books. From his selections to his synopses, Admiral Stavridis provides new interpretations of old favorites as well as reasons to dive into unchartered waters. Along the way, we learn as much about this extraordinary writer and retired military leader as we do about the characters, real and fictional, in these books. Reading his descriptions, you will gain an entirely new appreciation for his well-thumbed choices, ranging from Catch-22 , Beloved , and Homer's The Odyssey to Flashman and The Guns of August . Stavridis' knowledgeable and wide-ranging enthusiasms are contagious. This collection, narrated with the wisdom and wit we've come to expect from the Admiral, is the best guide to literature and life you could ever want." Andrea Mitchell , NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent "Jim Stavridis is a prolific writer whose success emanates from being an avid reader. The books contained in this volume shaped the man whose career spanned almost four decades.
Beginning with Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea , Stavridis shares a real-life setback that may have defeated another man, but not him. He reminds us of the principal lesson from both Hemingway--and his protagonist Santiago--that a man can be destroyed but not defeated. Similar examples in subsequent chapters provide lessons in life and leadership across a multiplicity of ages and diverse environments. A must read!"-- Adm. James G. Foggo III, USN (Ret.) , former EUCOM Commander "In The Admiral's Bookshelf --the third and finest leg of an enchanting journey through his favorite books--Jim Stavridis expertly guides his readers to more efficient choices within their increasingly limited reading bandwidth. More importantly, he also weaves into his elegant descriptions of these diverse volumes the priceless elements of wisdom that empower good leadership.
His revelations for how to find and quickly absorb the treasures of other books not on his list is delightful!" Adm. Sandy Winnefeld, USN (Ret.) , former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and author of Sailing Upwind "A brilliant combination of first-person observation and recollection, tempered with analysis and historical insight. Beautifully written and clearly from the heart of one of our nation's great Admirals. It will appeal to the military professional as well as anyone who wants to gain insight into how senior leaders see the world, and how they express themselves. It's a delight to read." Gen. Kenneth F.
McKenzie, USMC (Ret.) , former CENTCOM Commander and author of The Melting Point "Few leaders have the knowledge, experience, and perspectives to capture so comprehensively the essential elements required to improve one's leadership mindfulness, intuition, and application like Admiral Stavridis. Leaders are not born; they are developed over time and effort. The Admiral's Bookshelf is a must read for all practitioners and lifelong learners seeking to gain relevant lessons from the master. When you read this book, you'll ask, 'Where was this when I started my career?'" Adm. Daryl L. Caudle, USN , USFFC Commander.