On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university’s slogan, “What starts here changes the world,” he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his … his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better.
Admiral McRaven’s original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life’s darkest moments.
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This is a fast, easy to read book that gives a lot of good life lessons without being preachy or self-congratulary. Each chapter starts with a short sentence life lesson and then there is a story about the author’s life and career to back up the lesson. This is a book that I will re-read and still get more out of.
Our journey towards the “top of the mountain” can inspire others to follow us on the path. If we want proof that the road we’ve taken is the right one, all we need to do is look behind us and see how many and which people are coming with, sharing our vision.
The meaning of the journey of life is in the ascent, in the path of discovery through growth. The more difficult the climb, the more beautiful the horizon will be.
Inspiring book!
A short read and nice pep talk. My Navy son requested it as a Christmas gift, so I decided to read it. It is written by a former Navy SEAL as a commencement speech in 2014. The speech has over 7 million views on YouTube. He expanded the speech with a few stories and published it as a book. If you understand it’s a commencement speech meant to encourage and inspire, and not a serious book on management, you too will be encouraged and inspired.
I loved the way Admiral MacRaven utilized stories to illustrate teaching points and taught life lessons to benefit us all. I’ve been thinking about his stories and what I learned ever since I finished it. It only took an hour or so to read, but the lessons will last a lifetime.
Great quick read – very inspirational.
Very well written story with a lot of good life lessons. Definitely recommend this as a must read!
A must-read for everyone!
Great tips for living life. The Commencement Speach was awesome.
LOVED this book! Definitely a “must read” for everyone.
Great advice from a great leader
The book was inspiring and realistic. Life is hard but we must endure it. And it supplies guidelines for changing the world starting with ourselves.
Practical and useful advice. Honest. An easy read
This is a book you will want to purchase and give to many people. Excellent grad gift or any occasion .
Excellent book for living a successful life! Everyone should read this book!!
Admiral McRaven, well done!! Please everyone read this book! It is full of life lessons that ANYONE, young, old, man, woman, may take away and apply to one’s own life. Some stories will make you chuckle, some will make you want to cry, but they all, from standing up to a bully, how to start your day, how to never give up even in the face of certain failure. this is a fast read, but please….read every word!
Everyone should read this book!!!
I really enjoyed the audio version of this book.
This is a biography, but it gives you perspective on how to overcome adversity in life. It would make a great to a young graduate. There is actually a great youtube video of the speech that started it all.
Great book. This book is very motivating especially if you are missing disciple. Honest, hard-hitting and yet also hopeful.
Good inspirational story. My 13 year old son loved it! I thought it was a bit short and repetitive but still good.