Fortitude

American Resilience in the Era of Outrage

By: Dan Crenshaw

Narrated by: Dan Crenshaw

Jordan Peterson's Twelve Rules for Life meets Jocko Willink and Leif Babin's Extreme Ownership in this tough-love leadership book from a Navy SEAL and rising star in Republican politics.

In 2012, on his third tour of duty, an improvised explosive device left Dan Crenshaw's right eye destroyed and his left blinded. Only through the careful hand of his surgeons, and what doctors called a miracle, did Crenshaw's left eye recover partial vision. And yet, he persevered, completing two more deployments. Why? There are certain stories we tell ourselves about the hardships we face—we can become paralyzed by adversity or we can adapt and overcome. We can be fragile or we can find our fortitude. Crenshaw delivers a set of lessons to help you do just that.

Most people's everyday challenges aren't as extreme as surviving combat, and yet our society is more fragile than ever: exploding with outrage, drowning in microaggressions, and devolving into divisive mob politics. The American spirit—long characterized by grit and fortitude—is unraveling. We must fix it.

That's exactly what Crenshaw accomplishes with Fortitude. This book isn't about the problem, it's about the solution. And that solution begins with each and every one of us. We must all lighten up, toughen up, and begin treating our fellow Americans with respect and grace.

Fortitude is a no-nonsense advice book for finding the strength to deal with everything from menial daily frustrations to truly difficult challenges. More than that, it is a roadmap for a more resilient American culture. With meditations on perseverance, failure, and finding much-needed heroes, the book is the antidote for a prevailing "safety culture" of trigger warnings and safe spaces. Interspersed with lessons from history and psychology is Crenshaw's own story of how an average American kid from the Houston suburbs went from war zones to the halls of Congress—and managed to navigate his path with a sense of humor and an even greater sense that, no matter what anyone else around us says or does, we are in control of our own destiny.

Critic reviews

"This solution-oriented book is a must-read for anyone who loves America and believes that the grit and determination that founded her are in need of a revival. FORTITUDE is a set of tools for being tougher, yes, but it is also a guide for preserving the freedoms and foundations of our great country. Dan's experiences as a SEAL and now Congressman give FORTITUDE instant credibility, with a message that desperately needs to be heard far and wide."—Marcus Luttrell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lone Survivor

"As someone who has served our country on the front lines in Afghanistan, Dan Crenshaw knows what it means to separate the trivial from the truly meaningful. In FORTITUDE, he brings this vital experience to bear, offering keen insights on how to unite our fractured country and take pride in its founding ideals -- even as we face up to the tough truths of its history."—Condoleezza Rice, New York Times bestselling author of Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom

"The American experiment is about mental toughness in the face of adversity -- because freedom takes toughness. I know no one tougher than Dan Crenshaw, which is probably why his new book, FORTITUDE, is a must-read. Dan combines real-world experience with a command of America's philosophical roots, and he reminds us that what made America great still beats in the breasts of those who continue to fight for a culture of liberty."—Ben Shapiro, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great

"Life is a struggle; it is a demanding test, not only for us as individuals, but also for us as a nation. FORTITUDE distills and consolidates crucial elements from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, the SEAL ethos, and Dan Crenshaw's personal experiences as a leader and warrior into a clear and pragmatic guide for any person who wants to confront the challenges of life with courage, tenacity, and fortitude. By living the principles set forth in this book, any person can make their world -- and thereby our world -- a better place."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Arial}Jocko Willink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Extreme Ownership

"A must-read! Dan Crenshaw has crafted a truly inspiring narrative that grippingly details the life of a hero, replete with grit, courage, and a refusal to let the darkest of circumstances stop him from serving his country at the highest levels. This is not just the story of a hero; it is an informed recipe for success in life, containing a useful blueprint for bringing out our best, most resilient heroic self within each of us."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Arial}Professor Scott T. Allison, University of Richmond, author of Heroes: What They Do and Why We Need Them

Level headed Conservative Speaks!

I am a liberal. I purchased this book because of Joe Rogan's interview with Crenshaw where he advocates "Do something hard." That intrigued me so I listened to the book. I was relieved to hear him Express ideas similar to what I believe. He even managed to change my mind on an issue or two. This guy who is obviously Christian straight and white, did make some points with which I disagree. However he made those points intelligently and explained why he felt that particular way. Crenshaw is witty, honest, and relatable. He reminds me of what I love about America: our resilience and positivity through turbulence.

Really enjoying this one.

I never leave book reviews. But I have to make an exception for this one.
I’m nearly finished with the book and couldn’t be more pleased with it. Too often, in the “self help” genre, I find myself losing focus/interest in the content. Not the case in this book. Dan’s stories, the way he explains the points that he is making and his humor are all in point. It’s so great to have someone my same age representing God, Country, Conservatism and mental Fortitude in such a manner.
I’m a big fan and highly recommend this book.

A strong voice in the storm!

Outstanding book with enough detail about historical figures, where we are today, but most importantly, the hope for tomorrow.

Best advice for listening to this book, “Try hard not to offend and even harder to not be offended.”

A real page turner

I liked how Mr. Crenshaw told his story and didn't hold back on anything. It was very informative and entertaining.

This should be mandatory reading for high-school.

This book is a fantastic reality check of our country's current social climate. The narration is more like a conversation than story telling.