On Character

Choices That Define a Life

By: Stanley McChrystal

Narrated by: Stanley McChrystal

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the bestselling author of Team of Teams and My Share of the Task, reflections on character, and who we choose to be.

“Reputation is what men and women think of us;
character is what God and angels know of us.”

—Thomas Paine

How to measure a life? After a career of service, retired four-star general Stanley McChrystal had much to contemplate. He pondered his successes and failures, his beliefs and aspirations, and asked himself, Who am I, really? And more importantly, who have I become? When I die, how will I be measured?

In the end, McChrystal came to a conclusion as simple as it was profound: the reality of who we are cannot be recorded in dates or accomplishments. It is found in our character—the most accurate, and last full measure, of who we choose to be.

On Character offers McChrystal’s blueprint for living with purpose and integrity, challenging us to examine not just our deeds but who we become through them. Drawing from a lifetime of experience, he distills profound insights on setting and meeting standards, aligning actions with beliefs, and offers practical advice on overcoming obstacles and pursuing self-improvement.

According to McChrystal, character is not a trait inherited at birth, nor does it automatically come from education, position, or experience. Character, instead, comes down to a succession of choices, most mundane, several momentous, that reveal the deep truth of our capacity for virtue.

In an era where understanding and upholding our ideals is more crucial than ever, On Character offers an inspiring roadmap for personal growth and integrity—a call to become our best selves, both as individuals and as Americans.

Excellent with the exception of the production

General McChrystal is an impressive leader and this book is a valuable contribution to the leadership literature. I grew up with an army captain father who served in WWII and a major focus of his leading us a children was advising on the importance of character. McChrystal writes from the heart and from the head and I loved his book.

My only complaint is the production of the audio. It was great to hear McChrystal narrate his own book. However, the narration jumped from a lower register to an upper register of his voice and I found that immensely aggravating. I don't know whether it was the author moving closer or further away from the microphone, or the production, but this detracted from an otherwise terrific book.

An American man of character

General McChrystal's honest, sober, often funny and very moving reflection on his character and challenging career in the military, academia and business will sit next to Marcus Aurelius's Meditations in my Library. Like Meditations, McChrystal's book deserves to be read, reread and taken to heart.

Great insight into a good character

General McChrystal shares an intimate insight into his thoughts on character. His vulnerability and humility help give the reader pause to think on these weighty topics that too many of us do not consider.

well written

very well written. very relatable and made me think deper on some situations. recommended reading for sure

Thank you, General McChrystal!

I feel that General McChrystal’s choice to write this book was like a personal gift to me, and I am grateful to him for it.