"Fortitude" by Congressman Dan Crenshaw

 

Back in May 2020, I heard Dan Crenshaw, wounded veteran, medically retired Navy SEAL, and U.S. congressman (TX-R), for the first time. He was being interviewed by Anne McElvoy of The Economist. Though it was clear they were not on the same political page, it was a delightfully engaging discussion. He conducted himself with civil certainty, laughed with the interviewer, disagreed charitably with her, gave her thoughtful and informed responses that impressed her, etc. I thought then, "I like this guy! I need to get his book." And I'm glad I did. I wasn't disappointed.

Since there are already thousands (and I do mean thousands) of ratings and reviews on this book (it came out in April 2020!), my evaluation will be short. What I appreciated about the book: (1) Crenshaw hits the nail on the head with regard to the growing environment of outrage and fragility in the U.S.A. - both on the "right" and on the "left". Nobody is exempt from his criticism. Plus, he rightly draws in Jonathan Haidt and Greg Luckianoff and their work on this subject (My review of their book is here: "The Coddling of the American Mind"), and adds his own perceptive insights. (2) He gives some very helpful guidance on how to keep from being swallowed up in outrage. His suggestions are sensible and everyone needs to read and employ these. Such as, how to read the news and digest media headlines and information, and how *not* to engage them. How to perceive people with whom you disagree, and ways to interact with them that shows grace, charity, and resilient thoughtfulness. These were skills we were once good at, but they have sense fallen into misuse. (3) His personal story (stories, actually), especially of failure and overcoming. (4) Finally, his informed approach to America and what we are about, where we have fallen short of our own ideals, and the ways we keep moving forward becoming consistent with those principles.

My only real beef with the book had to do with style, not content (thus 4-Stars). This could have been at least two distinct books. Instead, this one volume is a mash-up of three themes that are related, but each becomes too busy trying to take the center stage of the book. Which means, it becomes a bit noisy. The three major themes are: fortitude vs outrage, self-help, and America. It would have been an even more potent manuscript if the author had narrowed things down to fortitude vs outrage and America, with a second volume focused on self-help and America, or self-help and fortitude vs outrage. They would have both been smaller volumes, but less noisy and packed with even more punch.

Since the major stated theme of the book was to challenge an atmosphere of outrage ramping up in our society, as per the news and social media displays, then this work is delightfully helpful in setting a better course. For example, 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" (10). Again, the author points out that the "dismissive and insulting tone of today's political debate is a reflection of mental weakness" (48). It's a book I advise every Republican to snatch up, and Democrat, and Solidarity Party member, etc. It's also a volume much needed by adults, college students and teenagers, without exception.