Twelve
Publisher
April 7, 2020
Biography
9781538733301 |
Review
and Interview by Elise Cooper
Fortitude by Dan Crenshaw is a formidable book
that delves into the former Navy SEAL’s hardships.
More importantly, it explains how he overcame those hardships
and challenges, something the current Texas Congressman
applies to American society. This book isn't about the
challenges, but about the solutions.
The titles for each chapter explain how Americans can
find the strength to handle everything from daily frustrations
to difficult hardships. The introduction, "Stay Outraged,"
to the conclusion, "The Story of America," shows
how people must navigate their lives with humor, a sense
of duty, respect, and perseverance.
For
a little perspective, the first chapter delves into
his injuries. Having served as a Navy Seal for a decade,
Lt. Commander Crenshaw was wounded in the Helmand Province
in 2012, losing his right eye and requiring multiple
surgeries to save his left eye. He earned two Bronze
Star Medals, one with Valor, the Purple Heart, and the
Navy Commendation Medal with Valor. He was elected to
the United States House of Representatives in November
2018, representing the Second Congressional District
of Texas.
He dedicated the book to his mother. It was heartwarming
to read his feelings about his mother, who died after
battling cancer for years. In the book, he writes, "Going
from kindergarten to 4th grade knowing that your mother
is dying, that the center of a small boy's world is
collapsing is an experience I wouldn't want to wish
on anyone. But from this, grief came learning. I got
to experience the nature of a true hero, and the example
she set was the most powerful fortifying and selfless
thing I've ever seen, including in combat. Lying helpless
in a hospital bed, I had to wonder whether my mother
had asked the same desperate question I was currently
asking – would I ever see my family again? I figured
that if she could suffer through that question and the
unknowable answer, so could I. My mother spent a half-decade
staring death in the face, burdened with caring for
two small boys whom she would not live to see grow up.
She lived day to day in ever-increasing pain. The cancer
afflicted her, and the cancer treatments afflicted her,
too. Six rounds of chemotherapy on top of radiation
treatments are a brutal experience for even the strongest
constitution. Self-pity is never a useful state. But
if anyone had a reason to feel sorry for herself, it
was her, and she never complained."
Congressman Crenshaw told American Thinker, "Perspective
is important. I had to live through blindness, but my
mother definitely had it worse. The book is dedicated
to my mom and wife. She was the first true sign of strength
that I looked up to as a young boy. After being diagnosed
with cancer when I was five, she died when I was ten.
She never complained, never had self-pity, and she never
saw herself as a victim. Those values were instilled
in my brother and myself."
Another important lesson can be applied to all Americans
who are going through the COVID 19 pandemic, where the
world’s fortitude comes to mind. This book quote
is very applicable, “The most devastating mental
state I could ever wish upon someone is a sense of helplessness,
a sense that they are not in control of themselves or
their destiny.” Sound familiar?
He directly commented, "I hope people see that
what is required is mental toughness, honesty, and the
ability to confront risk head-on. The Queen of England's
public address really stuck with me when she said, 'I
hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take
pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those
who come after us will say the Britons of this generation
were as strong as any. That the attributes of self-discipline,
of quiet good-humored resolve and of fellow-feeling
still characterize this country. The pride in who we
are is not a part of our past; it defines our present
and our future.'"
Asked about the SNL incident where Pete Davidson made
fun by saying, "This guy is kind of cool, Dan Crenshaw.
You may be surprised to hear he's a congressional candidate
from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie. I'm sorry,
I know he lost his eye in war or whatever..." Crenshaw's
reply was calm, "Good rule in life: I try hard
not to offend; I try harder not to be offended. That
being said, I hope @nbcsnl recognizes that vets don't
deserve to see their wounds used as punchlines for bad
jokes." He was then asked to come on SNL, where
Davidson apologized.
Why was his reaction so measured? “Where our culture
falls short is that people assume there might not be
good intentions, assuming the worst of intentions. The
reason they asked me to come on is because of how I
reacted. Instead of acting as the outraged victim, I
chose my own narrative. I did not want to express self-pity
and to blame others.”
One of the chapters is entitled, "Who Is Your Hero?"
Why didn't he name anyone? "For me, it is not about
individuals to look up to because they can disappoint
you; no one is perfect. But, to look at someone's success
to build a hero's architect, not a person."
He hopes readers will understand, “Establish a
culture that can last with the need for individual liberty,
equal opportunity, personal responsibility, and mental
toughness. Do not accept a lesser version of yourself
and be a victor as opposed to a victim. I think this
book quote summarizes my feelings, ‘It is about
the importance of building a society or 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.”
Elise
and MyShelf.com would like to thank Congressman Dan
Crenshaw for the interview. |