Book Summaries Online

This book is a collection of short essays and reflections by Stanley McChrystal that largely revolve around the idea of character. Each chapter is about two to five pages long and covers topics such as marriage, grandchildren, death, Afghanistan, and leadership lessons drawn from his life. Nearly all of the stories encourage the reader to think about character—what kind of person we want to be, the choices we make, and how we want to be remembered after we are gone. My interpretation of McChrystal’s definition of character is essentially the choices we make, our sense of right and wrong, and how we act on those beliefs.

Was this a good book? Yes, it was a good read. I enjoy military-related reading to an extent, and I also believe McChrystal was one of the most dedicated, intelligent, and driven soldiers and leaders of his time. From this book, his other works, and my own experience in the military, I could feel how deeply involved he was in driving the war in Afghanistan and counterterrorism efforts—pushing everyone to execute the mission. I found those moments interesting, and since I enjoy philosophy, I also appreciated the more reflective chapters. One thing I would warn readers about is his writing style: his sentences are very compact and efficient. Because of this, I found it difficult to read as quickly as I normally do. His concise writing makes the book shorter, which may have been intentional.

Some takeaways from the book:

I think McChrystal played a significant role in the overworking of the military force, which contributed to burnout, divorce rates, and retention issues. He mentioned implementing daily Video Teleconferences (VTCs), as well as daily situational reports. He also described being stateside in a command role and deciding, after conducting battlefield circulation in the Middle East, that he needed to move his entire staff overseas to better command and control operations. All of these decisions make sense when trying to accomplish the mission as effectively as possible—except when the conflict lasts for 20 years. At that point, the long-term human cost becomes hard to ignore.

One chapter I especially liked focused on living life without constantly looking in the rearview mirror. Throughout the book, it is clear that McChrystal’s identity was being a soldier—it was what he ate, slept, and breathed for over 30 years. Then, after making an offhand comment about President Obama to a magazine journalist, he was essentially fired and forced to retire. This shook him deeply. Eventually, he came to the realization that he needed to live more like how his wife drives—without constantly checking the rearview mirror. Instead of dwelling on the past, you need to move forward with your life. I think it’s important to reflect on what you’ve learned, but then continue moving ahead.

I also liked his chapter on what your job means to you. McChrystal’s view is that it can be beneficial for your job to be your identity. He felt content with his life and how much he dedicated to the military, and he experienced tremendous success, which likely reinforced that mindset. He contrasts this view with the newer generation, which often values work-life balance and sees a job mainly as a way to make money while finding fulfillment elsewhere. I think it’s possible to have strong character while aligning with either perspective. McChrystal was clearly passionate about being a soldier, and while he didn’t make much money early on as a junior officer, his dedication eventually paid off. Today, as a retired general, he likely does very well financially. I think newer generations could experience similar success, but it takes time—either to break into a field you’re passionate about or to build the necessary qualifications.

In conclusion, the book presents a tension between two ideas: valuing great character so you are remembered and respected by others, and believing that you shouldn’t worry about what people think of you. Which one is right? I think they go hand in hand. A person with strong character often speaks up for what they believe is right and, as a result, is generally respected and liked. We want meaningful relationships and to enjoy life with others. Our character is revealed through how we live our lives and the priorities we demonstrate through our actions. People can have different priorities without being better or worse than one another—they are simply choosing to live for different purposes. Some want to enjoy life, some want to advance humanity, and others focus on service. Ultimately, what we choose to value and act upon is what defines our character.