Great book. If anyone is qualified to challenge readers into building fortitude into their lives it is Crenshaw who has overcome unthinkable challenges both physical and mental. His political insights are refreshing as well. His are not overly partisan but rather balanced, nuanced and insightful

This book is excellent. It absolutely doesn’t matter where you stand politically, as this book is about Dan Crenshaw and his experiences through the military, Capitol Hill, etc. that made him the man he is today. The sense of fortitude is something I feel we could all a bit more of, and this book exemplifies what fortitude means.

Huge thank you to Twelve Books, Dan Crenshaw, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my words.

Great book. If anyone is qualified to challenge readers into building fortitude into their lives it is Crenshaw who has overcome unthinkable challenges both physical and mental. His political insights are refreshing as well. His are not overly partisan but rather balanced, nuanced and insightful.

In Fortitude, American Resilience in the Era of Outrage, Dan Crenshaw has written a book about the hardships we face and how to deal with them. Crenshaw explains that we can be fragile or we can find our fortitude. In his book, Crenshaw explains how to do the latter. Fortitude is a well-written book of advice and solutions based on his personal experience. A great read.

Fortitude—Resilience in the Age of Outrage

by Dan Crenshaw

Fortitude is a nonfiction work that holds Dan Crenshaw’s views on strength of character and how people who have fortitude can work together for a better America. Crenshaw is a member of the House of Representatives and a former Navy SEAL. Therefore, Fortitude is colored by his time in D.C. as well as his experiences in the military. It is, however, an inspirational book, not a political diatribe. Crenshaw references history, philosophy, psychology, SEAL training, and his personal story to explain the different components of character building as well as the deficits and issues prominent in our current society.

Crenshaw pulls the curtain back on the popular outrage displayed by both conservatives and liberals as many spew epithets without evidence to back up their position of hatred. “If you find yourself calling someone a racist, communist, traitor, RINO, or Nazi because they disagree with you, it is a good indication that your arguments are shallow and your emotions are driving your thinking.”

One of my biggest personal take-aways from this book is the importance of how I frame my own story, my personal narrative. Crenshaw explains how changing “I have to” to “I get to” is empowering, lets you take back control of your life, and removes you from the victim status.

He also speaks to suffering and hard times. Both can help you develop a strong character and confidence. Meeting challenges can actually push you to a higher level of functioning both physically and psychologically. If you voluntarily submit yourself to hardship, you are also building resilience that will help sustain you when you find yourself in trying times not of your choosing.

A review can not begin to cover all aspects of Fortitude. Read it to be exposed to Crenshaw’s background and experiences. Reread it to incorporate some of his philosophies, beliefs, and insights into your own frame of reference.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Twelve (Hachette Book Group) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Politics, Inspiration

Notes: Contains foul language and is appropriate for adults, not children

Publication: April 7, 2020—Twelve (Hachette Book Group)

Memorable Lines:

…a culture characterized by grit, discipline, and self-reliance is a culture that survives. A culture characterized by self-pity, indulgence, outrange, and resentment is a culture that falls apart.

Life is a power struggle, and the heroes we value are no longer those who gracefully overcome adversity, but those who complain the loudest about their story of injustice.

Unfortunately, these days, too many people are overcoming their knowledge deficits with passion, and too many more people are mistaking “passion” and “authenticity” for righteousness and sophistication. It is an unhealthy trend.

I personally don't read many nonfiction books, so for me this was a change of pace. I have followed his journey some since coming on the scene and into politics. Overall I found the book to be a good read, and informative but I had hoped it would focus more on his time in the seals and what happened to him to me that part was more skimmed over. I do believe that he has a moral compass in life that many of us need to search for and find. In general I would recommend this book to others, maybe hoping that it would give others the wisdom to begin to search for truth instead of just believing everything in print.

I received a ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, and these are my own personal opinions concerning the book

These days not many people in politics seem reasonable, much less self-reflective, calm in a storm and level headed. Dan Crenshaw comes across as all three. We learn about his experience in the SEALs, the challenge of recovering from his injuries, a little bit about his education and quite a bit about his philosophy, perspective and wishes for a better America through its citizens living without hunting for slights at every turn. Some of his perspectives are stoic principles and he acknowledges those influences in the book. It isn’t an easy philosophy to live and you mainly strive to get there vs. achieve total ability to act in any other way. It appears he’s been on this journey for a while and it serves him well in a profession that is full of flash, outrage, and extremes on either side. Enjoyed the read.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.

Dan Crenshaw's debut book, Fortitude: Resilience in the Age of Outrage, is a rallying call to Americans everywhere to persevere in strength in all its forms. Crenshaw's military background inspires readers and serves as a stark comparison to the mental weakness of Americans in the prevailing culture. Crenshaw outlines the importance of protecting our liberties and purpose as a national and leaves the reader equipped to fight back.

I highly recommend for conservatives and all those open to learning about an alternate viewpoint.

I'm sure the reviews will be very polarized over the author of this book. He offers a no nonsense approach to how to help America keep the world a better place and trying to work with people who are critical of his views. Crenshaw's simple lesson in FORTITUDE: Lighten up, toughen up, and get to work on what's important (hint: it's not giving into a culture of outrage, playing the victim, and seeking an apology). Serving the people of Texas in Congress he offers insight in line with his faith in God and country. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Fortitude is not just about Dan Crenshaw's life and experiences as a Congressman and former Navy Seal wounded in combat who overcame the loss of an eye and Naval career. He speaks of the American culture today, how to keep a cool head in these times of outrage culture, entitlement and victimhood. He puts forth a practical roadmap to meet challenges and not give up hope. I have been listening to Dan’s podcast for quite some time and this book filled in some of the blanks of his life that I was curious about. A true patriot.

Let me start by saying that I am not a huge fan of Dan Crenshaw. I can’t get behind anyone who brings religion into politics and I don’t agree with much that he has to say. I was interested in this book though. I wanted to know what shaped him. I was hoping to read about his own opinions, but he agrees with Trump like 95% of the time. No thank you. Next.

I requested this book because I'm a Texan and I like Dan Crenshaw's message.

This was a terrific book. Well-written. Made me think about my life and how I could make changes. Nice to know one of my heroes truly is a hero.

This is not a political hit job book nor a litany of party "talking points". Party affiliation is irrelevant! Penned by Dan Crenshaw ....former Navy Seal and now Congressman from Texas ... an amazing, easy flowing narrative of one man's observations on improving oneself and society. He provides insights acquired not only from his experiences during the rigorous training to achieve the lofty position as a Navy Seal, but also those he needed to adapt and overcome the extreme adversity of injury. While on active duty he was a victim of an IED (improvised explosion device) explosion, destroying his right eye and damaging the left to virtual blindness.
He offers useful thoughts and advise to avoid being paralyzed by adversity. How one can avoid fragility and find mental toughness and fortitude. This no-nonsense book allows one to adapt these same principles to deal with the challenges of everyday life. Provided are insights on how to deal with the all pervasive "Outrage culture"
... and delves into the origin of events that create these angry individuals ... and offers suggestions how to cope and respond to the burgeoning toxic social media that threatens our American culture and divides our Nation.
Thanks to NetGalley, and Twelve Books Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. It's wonderful to see a narrative filled with Common Sense instead of Vitriol.'

Note: my copy did not download from Netgalley, but I did purchase during a sale on kindle version.

While some might find this book not up to their taste, I truly did find it to be quite well written and quite educational. I think the authors personal experience really made for a truly a astonishing and eye opening experience. I might not agree with every word, but do respect the insight from someone whose experienced things many will never experience. There were some parts I did agree with more, others were not for me, but overall I did find it to be quite informative.
Will make sure to tell others and review using lower Amazon number.

Dan Crenshaw is up front about his life, the ups and the downs. This is an excellent read for all to look at their own life and are they getting the most from themselves. Dan talks about losing his mother at a young age, working toward being a Navy Seal, getting through his injury and working to become a congressman. Your life may not have the same challenges but are you approaching your life the best you can?

Navy SEAL turned Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw published his first book in April, and I’ll admit, I was nervous going into it. I don’t know much about Crenshaw other than what I learned from the hoopla around the SNL insult, and the book’s title changed a few times, which made me worry that he was trying to stake some higher ground with this book. What I ultimately read, though, was a nice mix of biography and self-help. This isn’t about washing your face, girl, it’s about being stronger as a person, both physically and mentally, and using our fortitude to not be constant victims, on and off a college campus.

While this book does include a fair share of Crenshaw’s own experiences in the military and how that shaped him, it focuses on the fact that we live in a society where there is some societal benefit to being perceived as a “victim” or playing the “victim card” to get out of tough situations. Crenshaw acknowledges that there are real issues in the world–instances of racism and sexism and discrimination–but his argument isn’t for those issues. It’s for how we overcome failure and suffering–by taking responsibility, finding virtue, looking to our heroes, and following through. As he pointed out, not getting into a fellowship program wasn’t discrimination against him. It was because he didn’t have a good enough application. That’s the kind of narrative we’re working with in this book, so don’t fret that this is either aggressively militant when it comes to being your best or too hippy-dippy.

I’m the first to admit that I’m not super fascinated by military biographies, but Crenshaw paints a fascinating, compelling picture in this book. Yes, he talks about how he lost his eye, and what early military training was like for him, but he also talks about why, for generations, that kind of training has existed: to make you stronger, to make you resilient, and to prepare you for the worst so you don’t die when it occurs. He’s not asking everyone to up and enlist to reach this kind of fortitude, but he uses an interesting military perspective to talk about finding fortitude in our daily lives.

This book is what I would call “military-inspired self-help” with a dash of political conservatism. This isn’t the book in which Crenshaw is laying out what he’ll do as president, or governor, or anything like that. You get a sense of his conservatism and where he stands on some issues, sure, but this is more of a book about how we can, as a society, be stronger, fight against the urge to be a victim and engage in victimhood ideology, and ultimately, be “better.” If you’ve felt a little off about the “hippy dippy” style self-help books that tell you thinking is all it takes to be better, you’ll truly appreciate what Crenshaw offers here, along with his chance to take down the college snowflakes a few pegs along the way.

This book was one of the rawest books I have read in a while. You find it hard to read, not because it’s not well written, but the truth in the story is hard. It is one most people would benefit from.

“A mind that cannot bend to admit wrongdoing is easily broken. Don’t be breakable. Live with fortitude.”

Let me start by saying, thank you Lt. Commander Dan Crenshaw for your service to our country. Regardless of what side of the political spectrum anyone supports, our military service personal are to be thanked and never forgotten.

Now to review…Honestly, I wish I could have read Fortitude 20 years ago. Drawing on the experiences of losing his mother to cancer at a young age, the trials of being trained as a Navy SEAL, a wounded war hero and an elected official, Crenshaw has provided a wealth of advice on how to stop living in an outraged culture and how we need to learn to “be still—stop, think, listen, question when confronted with the bullsh*t occurrences in life.” This is a life lesson I will practice.


**I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

4 patriotic stars!

Mr. Crenshaw has lead an amazing life full of hardships and an indomitable spirit to not just overcome but to thrive as well.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage by Dan Crenshaw is a very highly recommended discourse about the American spirit and perseverance in the face of divisive mob politics.

Dan Crenshaw's life story is truly one of fortitude and finding the inner strength and endurance to overcome any adversity one faces. In 2012, on his third tour of duty as a Navy SEAL, an improvised explosive device left his right eye destroyed and his left blinded. Only through the careful hand of his surgeons, and what doctors called a miracle, did Crenshaw's left eye recover partial vision. After this he continued to persevere and face the challenges and hurdles before him. Personally, once Dan Crenshaw came to my attention, I have been impressed by this young man, his outlook on life, and the lessons he could teach young men and women today. This book covers his life story, but more importantly he shares his personal outlook on life and the American spirit. During this time of the outrage culture, with the weaponization of uncontrolled and unfounded emotion and the lack of real reasoning, research and facts, it gives me hope to see a young man who does approach life and political discourse with stillness and thoughtful, rational, objectivity.

He says: These lessons will make you mentally stronger, better equipped to face life’s challenges, and as impervious as possible to the outrage culture all around us. The basic message is this: If you’re losing your cool, you are losing. If you are triggered, it is because you allowed someone else to dictate your emotional state. If you are outraged, it is because you lack discipline and self-control. These are personal defeats, not the fault of anyone else. And each defeat shapes who you are as a person, and in the collective sense, who we are as a people. This book is about actively hardening your mind so that you can be the person you think you should be. It is about identifying who that person is in the first place, and taking responsibility for the self-improvement required to become them. It is about learning what it means to never quit. It is about the importance of building a society of iron-tough individuals who can think for themselves, take care of themselves, and recognize that a culture characterized by grit, discipline, and self-reliance is a culture that survives. A culture characterized by self-pity, indulgence, outrage, and resentment is a culture that falls apart. It really is that simple,

As I was reading I highlighted so many passages in Fortitude that it would be impossible to share all the memorable parts and important points presented. This was exactly the book I needed to read at this time. Honestly, I have been depressed over everything happening and sharing the lessons he learned from Admiral Stockdale about the Stoics and the concept of stillness spoke directly to my heart. Stillness is not a denial of reality; it makes it possible to deal with reality. It is a source of power. The power to honestly assess what is in your control and what is not. We are all responsible for what we can control, so keep the emotions in check, examine things intelligently, do the research and most importantly be resilient in the face of the irrational extremism and hostility. Honestly, everyone who is jumping to quick conclusions and forming an opinion about anything based on a misleading headline or meme or quip on social media without learning the relevant facts is only indicative of their own lack of care and self-defeating actions.

The story of America's founding based on the best and most promising ideals of humankind is the one we should be sharing, not victimhood and violent outrage. We need to embrace the fact that we are blessed to live here.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Grand Central Publishing.
The review will be posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.