The Luckiest Man

Life with John McCain

By: Mark Salter

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

A “moving and lucidly written memoir” (The Wall Street Journal) of the late Senator John McCain from one of his closest and most trusted confidants, friends, and political advisors.

More so than almost anyone outside of McCain’s immediate family, Mark Salter had unparalleled access to and served to influence the Senator’s thoughts and actions, cowriting seven books with him and acting as a valued confidant. Now, in The Luckiest Man, Salter draws on the storied facets of McCain’s early biography as well as the later-in-life political philosophy for which the nation knew and loved him, delivering an intimate and comprehensive account of McCain’s life and philosophy.

Salter covers all the major events of McCain’s life—his peripatetic childhood, his naval service—but introduces, too, aspects of the man that the public rarely saw and hardly knew. Woven throughout this narrative is also the story of Salter and McCain’s close relationship, including how they met, and why their friendship stood the test of time in a political world known for its fickle personalities and frail bonds.

Through Salter’s revealing and “psychological portrait” (The Washington Post) of one of our country’s finest public servants, McCain emerges as both the man we knew him to be and also someone entirely new. Glimpses of his restlessness, his curiosity, his courage, and sentimentality are rendered with sensitivity and care—as only Mark Salter could provide. The capstone to Salter’s intimate and decades-spanning time with the Senator, The Luckiest Man is the authoritative last word on the stories McCain was too modest to tell himself and an influential life not soon to be forgotten.

Great man with a great story

I always admired the man. This book describe so much about him I didn’t know tu that was impressive. It also gave me a peek into what drove him to do what he did.

An in-depth look at the life of John McCann

Perhaps it was reading this book so close to the 2020 election but I found it to be a bit too detailed for my taste especially during The discussion of how bills make their way through through Congress. I have to confess that I skipped parts of chapters but thoroughly enjoyed the parts of that discussed the senators youth his upbringing his years at school and in the Navy as well as his latter years

Wonderful tribute

Thoughtful and insightful description of and tribute to Senator McCain. Very much enjoyed by this democrat.

Another respected congressional lion that will be missed

A Great Book About A Great Man

I regret knowing this is likely the last book I get about John McCain. Fantastic!

Essential Reading

This is a profoundly moving book about an American of honor and valor, the likes of which we're likely not to see again for a lifetime. Regardless of one's politics there are many ideas here to ponder. For me the book also explains a number of contemporary political events - details and viewpoints that were very instructive to me. I cannot think of a book more worthwhile for today.

The writing in this book is quite "lovely" for a book on a political figure. I found a couple accountings of Senate bills and votes quite dry. But those were important in creating the biography and kept probably as brief as possible. Overall, the writing has complex events moving along at a good pace. The author includes stories, anecdotes, and direct quotes that are often stunning and noteworthy. Many times these were so vivid they left me feeling as if I was right there in the office, on the floor, or engaging with McCain myself. The narrator seemed just perfect to me, This will be among my most favorite books and everyone I know will be getting a copy for Christmas. People around the world know John McCain and it is essential to know McCain's story well. And this author tells it so beautifully.