Honor Bound

An American Story of Dreams and Service

By: Amy McGrath, Chris Peterson

Narrated by: Amy McGrath

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The inspiring story of the first female Marine to fly a combat mission in an F/A-18 - and the transformative events that led to her bold decision to take on the most powerful man in the US Senate.

Amy McGrath grew up in Edgewood, Kentucky, a childhood shaped by love of country, baseball (the Cincinnati Reds), and, from the age of 12, a fascination with fighter jets. Her devastation at learning that a federal law prohibited women from flying in combat fueled her determination to do just that - and then, to help change the laws to improve the lives of all Americans.

McGrath writes of gaining an appointment in high school to the US Naval Academy, making it through Marine Corps training, graduating from Annapolis, Maryland, becoming a second lieutenant, and raising her right hand to swear to defend the US Constitution, honor bound.

She vividly recounts her experiences flying in the Marines, and her combat deployments to Iraq (Kuwait) and Afghanistan, her work as an Air Combat Tactics instructor - and what it was like to finally fly that fighter jet: high-speed, intense, and physically demanding.

Here is McGrath, training to do the most intense tactical flying there is (think the Navy's TOPGUN); meeting the man who would become her husband; being promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel; marrying, having three children, a career and life in Washington and then moving her family back to Kentucky to begin a whole new chapter in politics; her roller-coaster congressional campaign (she lost by three percentage points); and making the tough decision to run again, in an even bigger, higher-stakes national campaign, against the five-term leader of the US Senate, Mitch McConnell.

A moving, inspiring American story of courage, determination, and large dreams.

©2021 Amy McGrath (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Although few people have lived the exciting and adventurous life that Amy has, her experiences are completely relatable for many Americans. As girls we were told there was no limit to what we could accomplish, only to realize as we came of age there were still significant roadblocks in our path — and through her memoir, Honor Bound, we get to go on that journey together of struggle and triumph. Amy has continued to take a phrase we learned at the Academy to heart: any challenge is simply ‘another opportunity to excel,’ and she certainly has and has inspired all of us in the process.” (Representative Mikie Sherrill, NJ-11)

"One of the most compelling stories of modern military service and leadership by example, this book is guaranteed to inspire every American to live lives of service. Amy’s story is an example to us all about living with true American values in an extremely partisan and less than honorable political time in our country’s history. She truly is my hero!” (General John Allen, US Marine Corps (ret.), former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Forces in Afghanistan)

“Lieutenant Colonel Amy McGrath, whose first call sign was ‘Guns’, lays out in her candid and compelling book what it takes to swing for the fences, bust down barriers, and serve with honor.” (Rye Barcott, author of It Happened on the Way to War; co-founder and CEO, With Honor)

Amy McGrath Great Read

Wonderful read! We all lost when she lost her election bid against the Turtle. She would have been a great Senator!

Exceptional. Great orator.

Very detailed and heartfelt. It was a very good and entertaining read. inspirational, dedication of author is evident.

I am so happy I got this book!

Amy McGrath’s story is so compelling, so worth your time to read or listen to! I learned so much about our outstanding military & the honorable people who serve. I had supported Amy during her Senate run, even though I don’t live in Kentucky. I felt, as she did, that Mitch McConnell was a danger to the country and needed to go. It will happen some point. I am very grateful to Amy for her many forms of service to our country and for this wonderful book!

Inspiring

Love this book and Amy’s honesty and clarity of values, faith, service, and citizenship. Everyone should read this!

Excellent

Amy is a true patriot. Her courage in breaking through the military glass ceiling is a testament to the value of working to make dreams come true. Kudos to her husband for being a collaborator!

excellent story on becoming a servant leader.

Amy does an excellent job of describing how to become a servant leader. I would have liked to have read a chapter or 2 on how she dealt with senator Mitch mcconnell and the depths to which he took to overcome her and and if she would consider running again in 6 years. She would make an excellent senator for Kentucky and for the United States of America.