Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage

My title is one of the elements the author lists near the end of this book in a portion called American ethos. Be a ‘victor and not a victim’ Outstanding list of guiding beliefs that we may want to follow.

The book itself contains many aspects of America today including the manner in which we, as a country, came to the point we are at today. It also includes portions of his SEAL training …BUDS….and the manner in which that affected his life. But, he also states how important it was to be raised with a ‘work hard’ ethic and make his own decisions from an early age. So, a cumulative effect for him.

A couple of the portions that were exemplary for me….One was the explanation of the people in Afghanistan and that cold, hard look in their eyes. Just imagine living in a country that has had war for over 3000 years…He does discuss the IED that led to the long road back to returning to a SEAL team… This portion was so poignant to read as he described his journey from the explosion to his recovery…Believe….despite what the doctors tell you…That belief was instilled at an early age when his mom had cancer for so many years…Never complain….hold true to your beliefs. This was a foundation for his exemplary time as a SEAL.

As for the current state of America, the ‘outrage culture’ is described in detail. This part afforded me a much greater understanding of what is going on in our country these days. Yes, we all know someone who engages in this type of behavior on Facebook or other social media but the author explains the reasons these people are taking part in it. And, as he also mentions the fact that mainstream media is polarized. Objective journalism versus opinion journalism

One quote that applies to the outrage culture ‘A culture characterized by self pity, indulgence, outrage and resentment is a culture that will fall apart’. He also states that culture should be ‘grit, discipline and self-reliance’. For me, this is the difference we are experiencing as a nation.

As one might expect, leadership is covered in many chapters. The reader will be able to distinguish the traits of a good leader versus one ‘not so good’….

Paraphrasing a few other quotes from his book: Challenges are also important in our lives…Happiness is ours to pursue….You have control over your thoughts. We, as individuals need to care for our family, our friends, our community and our country.

‘ If not me, then who”? Every single one of us can do something to help others…it may seem small to us but may be a life saving moment to them.

A truly outstanding book as it covers a lot of topics and footnotes are at the end of each chapter. A remarkable read for me.

Bravo Zulu to the author with heartfelt appreciation for your service to the United States of America.

Most highly recommended.

Dan Crenshaw is a force to be reckoned with, and his first (first of many, I hope) book, Fortitude: Resilience in the Age of Outrage, is a call to action for America. I was just halfway through it when I started gifting copies to friends and family its that good.

And potentially that life and nation changing.

A former Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander, decorated war veteran, elder millennial and current congressman from Texas, Crenshaw brings the full weight of research, mental toughness training, experience and insight to the problem of mental softness is America.

We arent acting the way we are supposed to. We mock virtue, without considering how its abandonment accelerates our moral decay. We arent acting as a culture that is mature or enlightened or educated, we arent acting worthy of this beautiful country and the political system we inherited from our revolutionary ancestors. Rather, we don a mantle of fragility, of anger, of childishness, and are utterly shameless in doing so.

Crenshaw calls it out – all of it. Then methodically and engagingly and unflinchingly lays down a path forward.

Fortitude: Resilience in the Age of Outrage draws deeply from Crenshaws military background, making visceral and real the need for mental stillness and heroes, for doing hard things and being 100% committed for fortitude.

But this isnt all SEAL bravado. Crenshaw pulls in solid research and scholarship, historical context and uniquely American proof to back up his claims that we can and should we need to denounce the softness of our current outrage culture and fully embrace the mental toughness which has always made America great.

Dan Crenshaw has a brilliant mind, and its fully on display as he demands, cajoles, shames and inspires us all to do better and be better.

Fortitude: Resilience in the Age of Outrage is more than a simple self help book, and more than a great story about overcoming hardship. It is a powerful manifesto for change in each of us, in our families and communities, in the way we act act and react in real life and online, and in our great nation.

This is a book for the times, and Dan Crenshaw is a voice for of reason and confidence and incredible hope – a powerful role model for a nation sorely in need of heroes.

I feel the need to thank him for caring enough about America to speak out. Does that make me a fan girl?

If I havent already gifted you a copy of this book, get one for yourself. Youll want to thank the author, too.

I have to admit I didn’t read past Chapter 3. While I found his experience stepping on the IED and the consequences of impending blindness (that he fought vehemently to overcome) informative and engaging, I didn’t appreciate the condescending tone. I felt like I was reading a book for children being given explicit advice on “how to be”. Some of what he said had truth to it, but it felt politically motivated. He took pot shots at people like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders that I felt were irrelevant to his topic. I didn’t expect a political book. I felt like the description suggested this was going to be a treatise on how to develop “steely nerves” or “fortitude”, and I agreed with some elements, such as making self deprecating jokes in the face of adversity, but I felt the assertion that our culture is victim-oriented and that there is too much necessary outrage to be off base. Early in the book he suggests that some outrage is understandable if it’s merited but that people today are outraged for no reason. I don’t feel he provided a compelling case for this. The outrage we see today is deep and real for many. In a sense, it was an oversimplication. While his experiences shaped some desirable personality and character traits in him, I don’t think the advice he offers is profound or respectful of diverse human experience, so I returned the book.

I tried to have an open mind but Dan Crenshaw is just another Republican Party who puts party over country. Dont waste your money.

Crenshaw did an excellent job of explaining the modern ‘outrage’ problem and what can be done about it. Drawing from his experience as a Navy SEAL, he introduces relatable solutions. Looking forward to reading more of his work.

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