Everyday Courage Book Report

In Profiles in Courage, Kennedy writes short biographies of bravery and integrity displayed by eight U.S. senators in the history of American Senate. In his view, these individuals defied the opinions of their parties and those of their constituents to take the direction they deemed right. Consequently, these senators had to bear the brunt of their actions such as severe criticism and loss of popularity. Kennedy wrote the book, while he was recuperating in hospital after surgery during his reign as the Senator of Massachusetts. John Quincy Adams, Thomas Benton, and Sam Houston are some of politicians whom this book explores. Tied to these profiles were issues of party loyalty, favoring the compromise of 1850, and voting against party opinions. In this way, the book contains stories of men who recognized what needed to be done and did it (Kennedy 27). As the title suggests, Kennedy’s text explains how influential figures sacrificed their personal influence for their conscience despite severe rebuttals from their parties and alliances.

John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage discusses the presence of moral fiber, or courage, in the careers of 8 different Senators. Throughout the book, Kennedy tells accounts of how a select few Senators showed courage and displayed moral fiber by standing their ground on certain issues when their party and constituents were in great opposition to them. In Profiles of Courage, Kennedy dedicates one chapter to each Senator and his tale of courage. The following Senators were used: John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund G. Ross, Lucius Lamar, George Norris, and Robert A. Taft.

As human beings, we live by our morals, outlining our ethical principles in distinguishing what is right from what is wrong. Our morals define who we are as a person, how we behave, how we communicate, and how we manage challenging situations. As stated by President John F. Kennedy, “a man does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – and that is the basis of all human morality” (225). In order to achieve and portray one’s morals and ethical principles regardless of the circumstances, a person must portray courage. As Ernest Hemingway defined it, “Grace under pressure (Kennedy 1).” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, courage is the “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.” In the Pulitzer Prize winning book Profiles in Courage, written on 1957 by John F. Kennedy, some of the greatest deeds of political courage in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are discussed through the accounts of the historical events that inspired such acts and the consequences of those brave enough to carry them out. The author of the award winning memoir The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls, could not be considered a candidate for John F. Kennedy’s Profile in Courage Award because of the failure to fulfill of the requirements of the award, the type of courage portrayed, and the limited sphere of influence.

Profiles in Courage starts with beginning of the formation of the United States of America. The book features several men who showed courage throughout senate history. They include, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund G. Ross, Lucius Quintus Cininnatus Lamar, George Norris, and Robert A. Taft. Each senator stood for what they thought was right instead of conforming to public opinion or what their party thought. They had minds of their own and went against the wave. They fought for what they believed in even if it was unpopular and could cost their jobs. The author’s purpose is to show what courage is through the use of mood, dialog, and logos.

Courage tells us a lot of things and makes us think because without courage we shouldn’t live and walk around others with our full emotions and not been not bad and nice but normal “courage is what it takes to stand up and speak courage is what it takes to sit down and listen” (winston churchill). And I think it is the best behavior that a human can have in his life. And there is more good things that we write or learn.

Ordinary courage is a book that tells the story of an ordinary man who is inlisted in the continental army in the revolutionary war. Joseph Plumb Martin is the young man fighting in this war, at the time he entered he was just a mere 16 year old kid but by the time his time in the continental army was up he became a man. This is a first person memoir of what it was like for a regular person living in a war zone, and dealing with the everyday fears of food shortage, low morale, and danger of attack. This is something that many people in todays world could not handle because even some of the old guys in the

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President and Pulitzer Prize winner, had since his college days, been interested in the subject of political courage. In Kennedy’s book, Profiles In Courage, he quoted Ernest Hemingway suggesting that one must have “grace under pressure” to truly be courageous. Senators who display political courage, risk at a minimum, their professional careers, to stand by their principles. These politicians withstand tremendous pressures placed on them by their family responsibilities, the States they represent, the parties to which they belong, the special interests which often subsidize their campaigns, their duties to their Nation and even their own personal ego needs and ethics. Recognizing so many competing obligations at play, JFK did not specify a narrow definition of political courage. Notwithstanding, to Kennedy a courageous politician does not succumb to these pressures; rather, he carefully navigates a very public minefield and successfully emerges with honor.

Courage is not facing a problem without any fear. Courage is facing an obstacle despite their fear. Standing up for what they believe in, even though there will be negative consequences. That is true courage. The book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee does a great job of showing this.

One person who I would consider courageous is Chris Kyle. He is the Navy Seal featured in the popular American movie “American Sniper,” he is pretty much a badass and one of the most legendary service members in American history. He has 160 confirmed kills and 255 claimed kills. This is a lot more than other snipers in our military. To say the least he had balls. Without courage Chris would never have joined the Military, and most definitely would never have passed the seal training. Most of all though he would never have pulled the trigger on at least 160 Taliban members. Without courage he would never have been any type of success. Courage is a necessity to succeed on any scale though. You probably won’t become an American legend, but in order to land that awesome job

In the chapter “Notes”, Tim O’Brien explains where his inspiration for the previous chapter, “Speaking of Courage”, comes from. He received a letter from his old friend Norman Bowker talking about how he lacks purpose in life after the war, how nothing seems real or worthwhile to him anymore. He explains how he read O’Brien’s other book and asks him to write a chapter about a war veteran in his own situation. Eventually, O’Brien writes the chapter to fit into his current narrative. He sends the published chapter to Norman and he says that it’s alright, but it’s missing key points; it’s missing the whole point. Later on, Norman hangs himself and O’Brien rewrites the chapter the way it was meant to be and puts it into his new book, The Things They Carried.

At the thought of courage, some people think of someone battling cancer, someone in the armed forces, or even someone who stepped a little out of their comfort zone to try something new. Believe it or not, courage can be found in everyday life around us. One aspect of courage frequently not considered is political courage. There's been a political storm swarming the news in the recent months, but a politician that goes against the grain in an effort to better people are the kind who need recognition. In this day and age, advocating the “right choice” can cost someone their job or reputation. However on occasion, some people possess the courage to accept this sacrifice. An example of these people is Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper.

Someone else who had shown courage throughout their life is Robert F. Kennedy. He was the U.S. attorney general from 1961 to 1964 and then went on to be a U.S. senator in New York from 1965 to 1968. Robert F. Kennedy was always trying to do the right thing. “He hated losing. He hated evil.” (Aronson 63). Kennedy seemed to always do the right thing, when he saw something wrong he would do his best to right it. “Bobby could not rely on Hoover , or on the word of the state governor he sent five hundred federal marshals to take charge.” (Aronson 112). Kennedy was always ready to take charge. In the incident that had taken place he had shown he was a fighter because he was already doing what he could to put a stop to it because he believed that

Eleven and My Silent Battle both state that everyone has power somewhere inside of them, but it takes people that care about them to unlock that potential. Eleven conveys about Personal Power that an eleven-year-old is also a ten-year-old, a nine-year-old, and a three-year-old. When Rachel starts crying after putting on the sweater, her inner three-year-old is crying with her. The reason she is so sensitive is because she has no friends or anyone that care about her to support her. Also, when Mrs. Price asks Rachel whether the sweater is hers, she doesn’t answer, and neither does anyone else. She is very lonely, but if she had someone that cared, then she could have been more confident, and could have prevented her crying. Similarly, in My

While on tour in Iraq I felt my boots congeal on the hot desert sand.

Without question, in the specific period of time we live in, we may find it difficult to see any, or perform any acts of courage. What is courage though? Is it a feeling? Is it something that can be taught? Is it something that can be lost? According to www.merriam-webster.com, courage is defined as the, "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." That being said, is my first statement true? Is it difficult to see acts of courage in our everyday lives? Are simple actions such as showing up to class, or paying your bills on time an example courage? Would failing to do either of these also be deemed as a cowardly act? Leaning to