Hard Truths - by Mike Waltz

Book Synopsis

THE INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER

National Security Advisor of the United States and retired Green Beret Mike Waltz shares how the mindset he honed in military service can help anyone--in politics, in business or in life--conquer everyday challenges.

Up in the mountains of Afghanistan, one of Mike Waltz's snipers watched through his scope as a young boy acted as a spotter for the Taliban mortars attacking a Green Beret position. The sniper requested permission to fire. Waltz refused, insisting on restraint. The child was spared, and the position was held. Later that same day, Waltz visited a nearby Afghan village and discovered the Taliban had hanged a boy in front of his family--because the child wasn't willing to fight for them.

Restraint is a trait common to Green Berets, but rare on the battlefield--and even rarer in today's national political discourse.

Now, Mike Waltz is a retired Colonel and a former U.S. Representative from Florida, the first Green Beret ever to be elected to Congress. After twenty-seven years in the Army, nearly all of them in the elite Special Forces where he fought America's enemies around the world, he has developed a perspective distinct from most--probably all--of his colleagues in politics today.

Review Quotes

"An inspirational call to action" --Booklist

"Mike Waltz's latest book, Hard Truths, is a must read, not just for every leader in America, but for every citizen. From combat in the mountains of Afghanistan, to advising at the highest levels of the Pentagon and the White House, to building one of the country's fastest growing small companies in the private sector, and ultimately to continuing his service in the halls of Congress, the retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel and current congressman combines his personal experiences and lessons with examples from the pages of history to illuminate the path ahead. In Hard Truths, he applies the Green Beret's principles of unconventional warfare to leadership and governance as only someone with his unique background can. Veterans like Congressman Waltz who have sacrificed and invested in America offer hope for the future. Waltz understands the importance of maintaining the moral high ground in combat and in congress and of applying the lessons of the past to create a brighter future for us all. Add Hard Truths to your library today!" --Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Terminal List Series

"Very few people know as much about the American military and political system as Congressman-Colonel Michael Waltz. In Hard Truths, he brings us into the battles he has fought all over the world to help us understand the mindset of the Green Berets and to understand what Americans need to do to win the fight for a well-rounded moral life." --Brian Kilmeade, six-time New York Times bestselling author, co-host Fox & Friends, and host of "The Brian Kilmeade Show"

"I have been fortunate to know many who wear the green beret. In Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret, Mike Waltz shares great lessons of his service, from the fundamental traits that guided him to survive Ranger School, the Special Forces Qualification Course, combat deployments, a startup enterprise, to perhaps the toughest task of all - today's politics. If all Americans could learn to think and lead like a Green Beret, we would be a far stronger country for it." --Gary Sinise, award-winning actor, bestselling author, and Founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation

"An illuminating, inspirational, and instructive book that highlights the qualities that distinguish our Green Berets - initiative, professionalism, resilience, courage, and trust - and describes their application to life, business, and politics. Mike Waltz served our country superbly during an exceptional career as a Green Beret, including multiple tours in Afghanistan, earning four Bronze Star Medals, two for Valor. He now continues to provide forthright assessments on tough, contentious foreign policy issues and on the fundamental principles and ideals that have served our Nation so well. Indeed, he does not hesitate to call out leaders of either party on Capitol Hill - or in this book. And, that is what makes it so timely, compelling, and important." --General David Petraeus, former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and US/NATO Forces in Afghanistan, and former Director of the CIA

About the Author

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR OF THE UNITED STATES MIKE WALTZ is the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress and a former White House and Pentagon policy advisor. He has served worldwide with multiple tours in Africa, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. For his actions in combat, Mike was decorated with four Bronze Stars, two of them with valor. He is a nationally known leader in national security and the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism. Mike is married to Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, also a combat veteran, who served as the President's Homeland Security Advisor. They live in St. Augustine, Florida.