John McCain: Serving His Country

Children's Literature

This high-interest, low vocabulary biography presents John S. McCain III as a real person, yet a hero for his country. McCain's family can trace involvement in U. S. military service from the War of Independence through John's own service in the U. S. Navy. After graduating fifth from the bottom of his 1958 class at the U. S. Naval Academy, John III decided to become a navy pilot. Always a daredevil with a hot temper, McCain became a chance-taker and had some near brushes with death. In 1967 he was flying his 24th mission in Vietnam when his plane was struck. After spending nearly five years as a POW in Hanoi, McCain was released. following his retirement from the navy, he entered politics and became a U. S. senator. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for the presidency in 2000. McCain is painted as a strong person, solidly focused on his service to America. The photographs that accompany the text offer the reader a glimpse into the life of this influential man. This volume in the "Gateway Biographies" series includes a table of contents, timeline, bibliographic notes and an index. 2000, Millbrook Press, $22.90. Ages 8 to 15. Reviewer: J. B. Petty