Overview
A third generation military man, John Sidney McCain III was groomed his entire life to join his father and grandfather as a highly decorated member of the U.S. Navy. Despite a quick temper and a wild, rebellious streak, McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and soon found himself flying daredevil bombing missions over Vietnam. But his promising military career, and his life, took a sharp turn when he was shot down over the city of Hanoi, and he spent six years in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he was frequently tortured and locked in solitary confinement.John McCain held onto the will to survive, though, and after returning home from the war, he attempted to restart his naval career, but found himself more drawn towards politics. Marrying into a rich, Arizona family, McCain campaigned to become the representative of Arizona's First District. He won the election, launching the former pilot into a political career defined by an independent spirit and a strong adherence to his personal beliefs, even at the risk of offending his own party and allies.
McCain's time in Congress took him back to Vietnam to find out the fate of his fellow POWs; sometimes supporting and sometimes battling with several U.S. presidents; attempting to change the laws on how elections are paid for and won, and eventually running his own campaign for the White House.
About the Author:
Catherine Wells is a former teacher and the author of several books for young adults
Synopsis
A third generation military man, John Sidney McCain III was groomed his entire life to join his father and grandfather as a highly decorated member of the U.S. Navy. Despite a quick temper and a wild, rebellious streak, McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and soon found himself flying daredevil bombing missions over Vietnam. But his promising military career, and his life, took a sharp turn when he was shot down over the city of Hanoi, and he spent six years in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he was frequently tortured and locked in solitary confinement.
John McCain held onto the will to survive, though, and after returning home from the war, he attempted to restart his naval career, but found himself more drawn towards politics. Marrying into a rich, Arizona family, McCain campaigned to become the representative of Arizona's First District. He won the election, launching the former pilot into a political career defined by an independent spirit and a strong adherence to his personal beliefs, even at the risk of offending his own party and allies.
McCain's time in Congress took him back to Vietnam to find out the fate of his fellow POWs; sometimes supporting and sometimes battling with several U.S. presidents; attempting to change the laws on how elections are paid for and won, and eventually running his own campaign for the White House.
About the Author:
Catherine Wells is a former teacher and the author of several books for young adults
Children's Literature
Author Layton Sharp has written a clear and interesting biography on presidential candidate Senator John McCain. McCain was born into a naval family and seemed destined to follow in his father and grandfather's footsteps. He graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1958, then went on to train as a pilot at the navy's flight training school in Pensacola, Florida. On one mission, he crashed into the Gulf of Mexico and almost drowned. He had another close call when his plane crashed at a base outside of Norfolk, Virginia. In the fall of 1966, McCain asked to go to Vietnam. By 1967, he had flown five missions and was getting set to take off again when a nearby fighter plane launched a missile that accidentally hit his plane's external fuel tank. The tank exploded and sent flames across the flight deck. Over one hundred men lost their lives, but once again McCain escaped serious injury. Soon after this accident, McCain was again flying missions in Vietnam. His luck ran out when he tried to destroy a power plant near Hanoi and a missile hit his plane. His plane spiraled down into a lake in the middle of Hanoi, and he suffered two broken arms and a crushed right knee which was largely untreated. He suffered abuse and torture by the North Vietnamese. After six years, he was released. He remained in the Navy and became a liaison officer between the Navy and the U.S. Senate. Over time, he became interested in politics, ran for Congress and won a seat. A few years later, he ran for the Senate and also won a seat. In 2000, he ran for president of the United States, but did not have the support of the Republican Party. He is currently running for the presidency again. Black-and-white andcolor photographs are included, as well as a timeline, chapter sources, a bibliography, and list of relevant web sites. Part of the "Political Profiles" series. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Author Layton Sharp has written a clear and interesting biography on presidential candidate Senator John McCain. McCain was born into a naval family and seemed destined to follow in his father and grandfather's footsteps. He graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1958, then went on to train as a pilot at the navy's flight training school in Pensacola, Florida. On one mission, he crashed into the Gulf of Mexico and almost drowned. He had another close call when his plane crashed at a base outside of Norfolk, Virginia. In the fall of 1966, McCain asked to go to Vietnam. By 1967, he had flown five missions and was getting set to take off again when a nearby fighter plane launched a missile that accidentally hit his plane's external fuel tank. The tank exploded and sent flames across the flight deck. Over one hundred men lost their lives, but once again McCain escaped serious injury. Soon after this accident, McCain was again flying missions in Vietnam. His luck ran out when he tried to destroy a power plant near Hanoi and a missile hit his plane. His plane spiraled down into a lake in the middle of Hanoi, and he suffered two broken arms and a crushed right knee which was largely untreated. He suffered abuse and torture by the North Vietnamese. After six years, he was released. He remained in the Navy and became a liaison officer between the Navy and the U.S. Senate. Over time, he became interested in politics, ran for Congress and won a seat. A few years later, he ran for the Senate and also won a seat. In 2000, he ran for president of the United States, but did not have the support of the Republican Party. He is currently running for the presidency again. Black-and-white andcolor photographs are included, as well as a timeline, chapter sources, a bibliography, and list of relevant web sites. Part of the "Political Profiles" series. Reviewer: Della A. YannuzziSchool Library Journal
Gr 5 Up
Rarely critical of their subjects, the authors focus instead on blending personal and professional information into accessible stories that should engage readers. Although they certainly cover world and domestic events that affected these political figures, the authors do not allow the Vietnam War or the terrorist acts of September 11th, events that shaped both Giuliani and McCain, to overtake the purpose of the books. Color photos enliven the texts. Good choices to spruce up collections.
—Carol FazioliCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.