• 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
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,686 ratings)

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The Heart and the Fist  By  cover art

The Heart and the Fist

By: Eric Greitens
Narrated by: Eric Greitens
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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)

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What listeners say about The Heart and the Fist

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Unforgettable

It helps that the author reads his book, but his viewpoint and his character outshine even a rollicking good read about SEAL training, Mother Theresa, Oxford, the Bosnian and Ruanda genocides, and special ops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Found myself looking for anything and everything else by or about this fellow.

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31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I hope everyone will read this!

This is one of the best books I've read lately. It has inspired me to be better and do better. It tells of many things Eric Greitens has done in the private sector volunteering in remote corners of the world, his Navy Seal training and deployment. His views are uplifting and refreshing. You will not be disapointed, I couldn't turn this book on tape off until it was over and I wished there were 10 more hours to listen to. This is a great listen and I hope everyone decides to listen!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing book, I couldn't stop listening

One of the best examples of Military Memoir I have ever experienced. It helps that Greitens narrates his own words. He is a talented storyteller, who tells his tale plainly and without ego. I was left wanting to know more about him and his work. If you're looking for a shoot'em-up blood and guts thriller, you're not going to like this book.

However if you'd love a great example of "The hero's journey" in the same vein as "One Bullet Away", "With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" or even Heinlein's fictional classic "Starship Troopers" you've come to the right place.

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13 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Author is a fraud

If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. Simply google this author and you’ll find out just how morally corrupt he truly is. Unfortunately I didn’t find out until I’d purchased this book, but at least I can spread the word that others investing in this title is unwise.
Extramarital affairs, blackmail, hacking a VETERANS CHARITY computer list to use for his own campaign financing for governor. He has no shame.

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11 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Author is a disgrace

I bought this book several years ago and loved it. It has now proven to be fiction. I feel ripped off. Eric Greitens was forced to resign as the Governor of Missouri for being s liar and a cheat. He desecrates everything Navy Seals stand for.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A thought provoking and well written/read account

Have been listening to this book and am amazed by the great way it presents the story. The writer who also reads the book, is a natural to the audio book genre and delivers his story in a compelling and all emcompassing manner. Not an army story, but a life story and freedom, the value of it we in the west take for granted.

Governments don't make change, people do, from the spark in the heart of one man or women a whole political or social shift can taken place, as we have witnessed in the middle east recently.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite of the year

I feel like most citizens are very disconnected from those who are serving in the military overseas - so I am drawn to books that help me be more aware. This is my favorite book so far of the year. I love what this man has to teach about life, values, compassion, courage and vision. The audio version is read exceptionally well by the author.

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6 people found this helpful