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Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays) Paperback – December 1, 1993

by James B. Stockdale (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings
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When physical disability from combat wounds brought about Jim Stockdale's early retirement from military life, he had the distinction of being the only three-star officer in the history of the navy to wear both aviator wings and the Congressional Medal of Honor. His writings have been many and varied, but all converge on the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity.
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    Hoover Essays
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Hoover Institution Press
  5. Publication date
    December 1, 1993
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 0.1 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0817936920
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0817936921
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vice Admiral James Stockdale, a senior research fellow at the Hoover Institution, served in the navy from 1947 to 1979, beginning as a test pilot and instructor at Patuxent River, Maryland, and spending two years as a graduate student at Stanford University. He became a fighter pilot and was shot down on his second combat tour over North Vietnam, becoming a prisoner of war for eight years, four in solitary confinement. The highest-ranking naval officer held during the Vietnam War, he was tortured fifteen times and put in leg irons for two years. His books include Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (1995, Hoover Institution Press) and In Love and War (second revised and updated edition, 1990, U.S. Naval Institute Press), coauthored with his wife, Sybil. In early 1987, a dramatic presentation of In Love and War was viewed by more than 45 million viewers on NBC television.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hoover Institution Press; First Edition (December 1, 1993)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0817936920
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0817936921
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.83 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings

About the author

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James B. Stockdale

James B. Stockdale

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Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale served in the navy from 1947 to 1979, beginning as a test pilot and instructor at Patuxent River, Maryland, and spending two years as a graduate student at Stanford University. He became a fighter pilot and was shot down on his second combat tour over North Vietnam, becoming a prisoner of war for eight years, four in solitary confinement. He was tortured fifteen times and put in leg irons for two years. As the highest-ranking naval officer held during the Vietnam War he organized the POWs in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" to provide them with a sense of hope and empowerment. Disabilities from his combat wounds brought about Stockdale’s early retirement, he was the only three-star officer in the history of the navy to wear both aviator wings and the Congressional Medal of Honor.

His books include Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (1995, Hoover Institution Press), A Vietnam Experience (1984, Hoover Institution Press), Courage Under Fire (1993, Hoover Institution Press) and In Love and War (second revised and updated edition, 1990, U.S. Naval Institute Press), coauthored with his wife, Sybil. In early 1987, a dramatic presentation of In Love and War was viewed by more than 45 million viewers on NBC television.

As a civilian, Jim Stockdale was a college professor, a college president, and a senior research fellow at the Hoover Institution. His many and varied writings all converge on the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity. He died in 2005.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,093 global ratings
Worst purchase ever made
1 Star
Worst purchase ever made
The booklet came with a page not attached…it was never even stapled in; just shoved in after the fact, which is evidenced by it going from page six to page 15 and no staple holes. It also came with some sort of disgusting crusty stain on the inside back cover.
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Top reviews from the United States

StarStuff
5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, brief, real-life application of Stoicism
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019
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This is the text of a speech that Admiral Stockdale gave, describing his experience as a Prisoner of War in the "Hanoi Hilton" for 7 years during the Vietnam war. Stockdale was a true American hero. His bravery and strength as a POW rightly earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was awarded after his release.

Like Epictetus, Stockdale was one of those rare Stoic philosophers who have proven, from their own painful experience, that Stoicism works under the most difficult circumstances. Adm Stockdale credits Stoicism for his own survival during 7 years of the most horrific circumstances imaginable.

This book is short and easy to read. I highly recommend it.
18 people found this helpful
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Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars Retrospection on Stoic Philosophy by an American Hero
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2010
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In 1965, James Bond Stockdale was shot out of the air over North Vietnam, and spent the next 7 years imprisoned. As the most senior officer, he was the focus for brutal interrogations. Through sheer resolve, he managed to not only survive the most horrific conditions imaginable, but walked out better for the experience.

The rather short but informative essay is about how Stockdale, as a Naval Officer at the age of 38, decided to ltake a chance on learning philosophy while in graduate school at Stanford and discovered the Stoic school of philosophy and most namely, Epictetus.

Epictetus believed that external events were beyond our control and thus there was no reason to worry about the things we couldn't control. He believed that people were responsible for their own reactions, and that you could control them through self-discipline. It's a simple enough philosophy, but Stockdale used this to his advantage. After he was shot out of the air, he couldn't control the beatings, but he could control his mental state and serve as an example to fellow POWs.

Philosophy sometimes struggles for practical applications, but reading this essay will make you believe that words written nearly 2000 years ago still hold relevance, and saved lives. The essay also gives you an understanding of Stockdale the man, who was an amazing officer even before the events that led to becoming a POW. Stockdale's list of awards, including the Medal of Honor, show that he is one of our greatest military heroes. This is a well written essay, and is worth reading if you're in the military or a philosopher. I feel richer for having read this, because I got to learn more about someone I wish I could have met.
23 people found this helpful
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SoCal Bladesmith
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent though regrettably short Essay
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2014
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Stockdale writes vividly, and clearly about the practical application of Stoic principles. If the Warrior mindset fascinates you you'll find this essay both readable and engaging. The one short coming of this item is that it is the publication of a single essay, it does not have any of his other writings. It's few pages can be read quickly, but their quality makes the reader wish for more.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars 👍
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
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Karla Paxton
5.0 out of 5 stars Short, insightful, and inspiring.
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2022
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Real-life example of the value of authoring your life with a philosophical and principled foundation. Inspired me to read Epictetus myself. Would recommend to anyone on a philosophical journey of discovering who we are.
One person found this helpful
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Peter Aldino
5.0 out of 5 stars Asking the wrong questions
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2024
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If you wonder about “applied stoicism” read this book, and realize we have so little control over our lives. Boardroom or prison floor … it is all the same
4 people found this helpful
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Kug
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding perspective on the Vietnam War
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2009
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I am not sure how I stumbled on the writings of former POW Admiral Stockdale but am so glad I did. Having served a couple tours in Nam myself I have been a forever student of the war and this book, while out of print, should be a best seller.

Stockdale came home and served as President of a couple universities and the book is a compilation of his articles, speeches and writings on the topic of the war. I did not know he was the Commander of the planes who responded to the now infamous Gulf of Tonkin incident. He outlines his personal observations of the event and his utter shock at being sent out to bomb Vihn the next night in retaliation.

If your a student of the war this is a great read.
7 people found this helpful
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JR
4.0 out of 5 stars Grime Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2019
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This book vaguely describes the abuse that tortured prisoners of the Vietnamese government suffered during the Vietnam war. I find it ironic that the US government is now in the same business of torturing prisoners. The main lesson taught by Stockdale is to control what you can and let go of things outside your control. Stockwell's advice to let go of shame from confessing during torture was enlightening and a relief. Stockdale then ends this work by quoting the poem from Invictus that we are "captains of our fate" indicating we are only responsible for our own actions.

I found Stockdale's suggestion to control fear and emotions counterproductive since emotions come from your reptilian brain that we have little control over but we can only attempt to control our reactions to emotions. According to AEDP therapy, suppressing your emotions can cause serious injury to one's mental health and is the reason I disagree with Stockdale's stoic philosophy. See "It's Not Always Depression" by Hilary Jacobs Hendel.

What I find most interesting is that peoples that tolerate their government torturing prisoners soon themselves become brutal and sadistic like their governments. I lived with students from Vietnam who were arrogant and vicious just like their government. I see the same change in the culture of the US since torture was introduced by Bush and probably reintroduced as policy by Trump.

https://smile.amazon.com/Its-Not-Always-Depression-Authentic/dp/B078PQ8FNQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WB89CN9AY5ME&keywords=its+not+always+depression+book&qid=1556504285&s=gateway&sprefix=its+not+always+%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1
13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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A. Bressan
5.0 out of 5 stars Um relato sobre a força mental do Estoicismo
Reviewed in Brazil on February 26, 2024
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A coragem de James Stockdale e a sua determinação para superar a provação como prisioneiro de guerra são descritas em detalhes neste relato autobiográfico incrível. Logo no início do texto, quando ele relata que se vê em vias de ser capturado como prisioneiro de guerra, e diz para si mesmo: "estou saindo do mundo da tecnologia para entrar no mundo de Epicteto", nos levam a uma viagem sobre o poder da força mental do Estoicismo frente às adversidades. E de como este caminho não é fácil de ser percorrido.
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Fernando Herrera
5.0 out of 5 stars Lectura rapida pero muy profunda
Reviewed in Mexico on October 21, 2023
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Es un libro muy corto. Pero da muchas enseñanzas. Stockdale narra como su conocimiento del estoicismo, específicamente de Epicteto, lo ayudo a soportar años como prisionero de guerra.
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M. Needham
5.0 out of 5 stars an interesting perspective on surviving an ordeal
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
I’d heard of James B Stockdale’s story in the book Good to Great by Jim Colins - referred to as the Stockdale Paradox.

The short book, essentially, puts into perspective, the mindset that Stockdale had developed from his stoic teachings. This mindset about focusing on the things you can control is really helpful In any situation.

Well worth less than 30 minutes of your time.
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Ignacio
5.0 out of 5 stars Short but powerful
Reviewed in Spain on June 18, 2019
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A very very good example of how stoic philosophy can help us in any circumstance
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Mark Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in Australia on September 20, 2023
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A short book but an amazing story of resilience in the face of misery and horror using the wisdom of Epictetus to survive.
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