The Heart and the Fist

The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL

By: Eric Greitens

Narrated by: Eric Greitens

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Like many young idealists, Eric Greitens wanted to make a difference. During college and afterward, he traveled to the world's trouble spots, working in refugee camps, serving the sick and the poor on four continents, from Gaza to Croatia to Mother Teresa's home in Calcutta, among others. Yet he could not prevent violence or save anyone from becoming a refugee; he could only step in afterward and try to ease the damage. So Eric joined the Navy SEALs and became an elite warrior.

In a moving and inspiring memoir, told with genuine humility, Eric offers something new in the history of military memoirs: a warrior who wanted to be strong to be good, only to discover that he had to be good to be strong. Throughout his SEAL training and deployments in Kenya, Thailand, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the lessons of his humanitarian work bore fruit. The result is a lesson for us all: the heart and fist together are more powerful than either one alone.

©2011 Eric Greitens (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This tale of [Greitens's] dual military/humanitarian effort could be paired with Rye Barcott's It Happened on the Way to War." ( Library Journal)

I'm writing this guy in for president

If you could sum up The Heart and the Fist in three words, what would they be?

Smart, dedicated, worldly

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Heart and the Fist?

Earl, the boxing coach, making him take pride in the trophy he had received. It was a powerful lesson and the dichotomy between Eric and Earl's backgrounds was very poignant.

Any additional comments?

Why don't people of this caliber run for office?

A different view

First, I'd like to say to those who didn't like the author's reading: I found it like a personal encounter with someone who is truly interesting and engaging. He's talking to me, not an audience.
The story is different. He has lived a very unique life. I got off to a slow start (I had put this book off for a long time) but it became more interesting as he went from China to boxing, to Bosnia and Bolivia as a relief worker and then to SEAL training. His insights into human behavior, learned from experience, helped me to look at other lifestyles with more understanding.
Buy the book! -- the proceeds will help wounded American warriors. From hearing his story I'm sure he will make more use of those few dollars than I ever could.

NOT TO BE MISSED

A book for all of us...from every party, religion (or not), belief system, race, creed. Balanced and wise and beautifully read. And a PAGE TURNER!

Amazing

Recommended by a colleague at work and I’m very grateful he did. Inspiring book that makes you thankful for people like the author and motivates you in your daily life. I hope I can follow through and rededicate myself to the service of others - thank you Mr G.

A Pleasant Surprise

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one. I did enjoy it and felt it was educational. Well worth the time and credit.

Strength, Humility, Compassion, Courage And More

#Patriot

I am not an emotional reader. I read to pass the time and 'get away' to other places or characters' lives. The Heart and the Fist is a HUGE exception. Through Eric Greitens' story and performance, I heard of his experiences with war refugees, especially the children, in Syria, Rwanda and other 3rd world countries. I felt Greitens' naïveté and his touch of arrogance as an American in China. However, his desire to live and do more as a part of American history really struck me in the heart (a good thing.)

Eric Greitens, a Rhodes scholar from the University of Oxford, graduated and continued his travels to the most desperate areas in the world. As a volunteer helping these people by passing out food and listening to the stories he didn't feel that he was doing enough. Greitens wanted to do more, to do something to prevent these travesties. So, he joined the Navy and tried out for the elite squad of the Navy SEALs. An opportunity to help people on a mass scale, including our homeland (USA.)

The compassion, empathy, strength, teamwork, love for country, love for humanity and doing whatever he can to fight evil – for love of country, love of family and love of life. Eric Greitens' is a wonderful and humble human being.

Greitens' performance is excellent. It felt like I was in the room listening to an old friend recount his stories. 5 stars

I highly recommend THE HEART AND THE FIST to all audiences. It is definitely credit worthy. Potential readers should note that there is some strong language and descriptions of violence.

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I'd recommend this one.

Good story with lots of character, heartfelt moments, and thought provoking issues. People like him inspire and amaze me!

Great listen

What an adventure this guy has lived. So many experiences and life lessons. I will listen to this one again.

A peaceful activists eyes opened

I bought this book for my father, who is a big war fan. But on a long drive to Florida, my husband & I listened to it. Wow! As a peaceful activist I have always abhorred war. I wasn't sure I would find anything in common with someone who had become a SEAL. I was wrong. Eric went from being in the Peace Corps to a SEAL, which seems completely incongruous. However, following Eric on his journey I realise that he is honouring his deep convictions by becoming a protector of the weak not just caring, educating and assisting them. I can't imagine living through what he has lived through, but I am ever grateful for his moral compass in our military. He truly 'Steps up' in his life & he is an inspiration to all.
The audiobook was riveting. I only found a one part less interesting, which was the description of the hazing in the pacific. Otherwise, this book helped me learn & understand more about those who chose to serve in this way. A very brave & honest book.

Must Listen! A Great Storyteller with real insight

Would you consider the audio edition of The Heart and the Fist to be better than the print version?

Besides being a gifted writer, he is a wonderful story teller. His characterization of others is like a comfortable story around the dinner table as he falls into character describing/mimicking another person's reaction to shared experiences.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a really uplifting story in the midst of terrible tragedy, about the power of making good choices and pursuit of goals, not just for yourself but for others. Eric Greitens has done and witnessed many things as a college volunteer worker in many nations, a Rhodes Scholar and later as a Navy Seal. He tells the stories of both children and adults, and pauses briefly for insight into why they do what they do what they do. The stories are interesting and the insight and perspective is something i aspire to achieve.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I have listened to on Audible (and i have listened to many). These real life adventures are more interesting than the fiction i usually listen to, and the comments on human character and motivation are natural outgrowths of the story telling, which comes first. For having seen so much human tragedy, even as a volunteer in many countries, he keeps his perspective and describes his observations, while seamlessly including quotes from the Greeks, to Lincoln, to Mother Theresa. He can challenge your thoughts on religion and charity, and what it means to help and protect those in need. This is not a book of lectures on what we should do, but rather stories about the good and bad people do, and trying to make good choices for yourself. This is great storytelling, all the better for having decisions and consequences about living a good and honorable life.