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)

Important and Insightful

This important story is told with insight and conviction. It gives me great hope for our warriors to return from deployment, not as just damaged byproducts, but as contributors to what makes this country great.

Nothing Short of Inspiring

This could possibly be the most inspirational memoir I have ever read. In an American culture drowning in complete selfish medocrity, Eric Grietens has dedicated his life to exceptional service, duty to humanity, the pursuit of courage, and a stand for integrity. This book is gripping from beginning to end as Eric shares very introspective thoughts on what it means to care about the world around you. If you have any burden for humanity or purpose or you are wondering if there is more to this life, then I strongly encourage you to read this book.

Great story, must read

Would you listen to The Heart and the Fist again? Why?

Great story overall about a man who chose an amazing path with very intelligent reasoning of the world, a persons life as a humanitarian, and life as an elite soldier. Great to know there are amazing people like this in the world.

One of the best books on Audible

I've been a member of Audible for several years, listening to a small library of books and this is one of the best by far. An inspiring and mesmerizing true story, the author recounts his time as a humanitarian volunteer in many of the worst spots on earth and his eight years with the US Navy SEALS. Greitens makes his philosophy of humanitarian compasion, backed up with force to ensure protection of those who need it, clear and relevant.
This book is a great example of what America could be if it didn't spend so much time wrapped up in partisan infighting.

phenomenal journey

Nothing is better to listen to on Audible than a great book, well narrated by its author. This is a fascinating story about one man, and his journey to being what he is today. Greitens' ultimate story is yet to be told, but you cannot do much better than he has done so far. An inspiring story.

Greitens for President!

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

Awesome, just Awesome!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eric Greitens is the best example I've seen in quite some time of a man who chose Service and Virtue over Greed and Self Indulgence. Quite an amazing guy and a great example of what it really means to be a "great man".

A warrior motivated by humanitarianism

A captivating story about a humanitarian who was assisting people in a war zone. He was asked by an elderly women, "Why won't anyone do something [to stop this suffering]?" This question posed to an empathetic young man encouraged him to join the military to do something to stop bad actors in the world.

The book does a good job of discussing the limits of pacifism and soft power. Sometimes hard power is required. "The Heart and the Fist" is a great title and a great encapsulation of this idea. On the US's most noble days, it fulfills this premise.

That said, the US's role in multiple conflicts (many not noble) and soldiers inability to choose where and how they engage in foreign conflicts certainly muddies the nobility of what US soldiers do. This book does not address that, but it is a good book and the author is a compelling story teller with a good moral compass.

Best SEAL book ever

By far the best SEAL book, head and shoulder's with Lone Survivor. The personal insight into the humanitarian side, war, and the mind of a special forces soldier takes you on a personal journey with the writer across the globe. The book made me want to be better, want to fight for those who can't fight for themselves, and to help returning soldier's continue to fight the mission at home and abroad in new and innovative ways. By far the best read of 2011.

This guy would make a great President

I love the great special forces stories like Lone Survivor and American Sniper. the Heart and the Fist is every bit as fantastic as those stories, but be warned that this is a different type of Navy Seal story. A fascinating true story that you should listen to immediately!!

Great Introspective

First off, it's pretty cool that the autobiographer is the narrator. This book provides a great introspective into the depth of character and toughness required to be a SEAL. It has some really poignant statements about the proper times to apply strength and compassion when addressing international affairs.