Early Reviews

This book will make you think - hard - and it likely will make you angry!

This book gets you involved. Each of the nine stories is a catalyst for
a vigorous discussion on the demands of leadership.

If you’re like me, you’ll agree with the author sometimes and disagree other
times.

Two things are clear: one, you’ll be better prepared to lead if you dive into this book, and two, nobody is more qualified to help us navigate these waters than ADM Jim Stavridis, who has not only studied the charts in detail, but also and more importantly, has sailed these heavy seas himself.” Admiral John Richardson “ USN, (Ret.) former Chief of Naval Operations I served in the Department of Defense with Admiral Jim Stavridis
His unique ability to offer incisive insights based on history,
military judgement, and risk analysis made him
an invaluable member of the team.

Reading "To Risk It All" takes us on a voyage
into danger and the fast decisions that extraordinary leaders
had to make under extreme pressure – it is full of lessons
for anyone who aspires to lead well.” Michèle Flournoy “ Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors As a Navy Chief Petty Officer and deck plate leader I have come to
quickly recognize those who can impart important lessons with both
intelligence and scholarship. In "To Risk It All" Admiral Jim Stavridis
powerfully displays a unique ability to blend history, leadership,
and character to reveal our Navy's story at its best. Sailing on
this voyage will be an exciting learning experience for anyone
who may come to deal with risk in their lives." Malcolm W Nance “ USN (Ret), Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretative) A terrific book!
The sea stories in To Risk It All provide invaluable lessons
for anyone facing difficult decisions in life.
Readers will be admirably equipped to make tough choices
after going on this voyage with Admiral Jim Stavridis,
my great shipmate in many demanding endeavors
from Afghanistan to the Pentagon.” General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.) “ Former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command,
and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan and
former Director of the CIA Life is nothing without risk.
But when is a risk worth the reward?
And how do you convince others that your assessment is correct
and get them to join you? I’ve been struggling to find this balance
my entire career as a frontline news reporter. Admiral Stavrdis has lived it,
leading hundreds of thousands of troops in wartime. I’ve known the Admiral
for years. He is a natural leader and recognizes one when he sees one.
His masterful stories of nine people under extreme pressure in the crucible
of decision is brilliant history and even better counsel to anyone making
hard decisions from the boardroom to the battlefield." Richard Engel, Chief Foreign Correspondent NBC NEWS “ Host On Assignment with Richard Engel

This is business school at sea, folks. Here’s the raw, brutal essence
of command at sea, distilled by one of the Navy’s wisest admirals in modern
times. Adm. James Stavridis paints nine vivid stories of men and women
at sea who faced agonizing decisions under enormous stress.

Stavridis tells their stories honestly: Not all the decisions these warriors made
were correct; sometimes they came with terrible personal and professional
costs. But they took action—the essential requirement—and did what they thought was right.

Stavridis weaves each story with his own experiences as a commander, which makes his tale a personal memoir, as well as a piece of history. “To Risk it All” is the latest in a string of great books by Stavridis
that teach us how to make tough decisions under fire. Few of us will face
dilemmas like these nine men and women—but we’ll all have better
grounding as we face our own hard choices." David Ignatius, Best Selling Author and Columnist, The Washington Post “
Novelists must imagine what their characters might do in times of crisis. But in this book, Admiral Jim Stavridis gives a fascinating glimpse of real-world men and women who “Risk it All” in life and death situations. Their decisions are sometimes successful – and sometimes not – but Jim Stavridis never fails to provide invaluable insights that can inspire us all."
Danield Silva, #1 Bestselling New York Times Author “

Recent Reviews

An “…insightful mix of naval history and leadership guide.”  “Stavridis’s brisk tour of U.S. naval history is action-packed and colorful….contain nuggets of counterintuitive wisdom. Readers will come away both entertained and informed.”

 

“Stavridis works hard to find common threads among his subjects, and each chapter includes insights into their characters, stressing those qualities responsible for their triumphs, which readers can put to use in their own lives. An expert in his field, the author is not shy about deploring character defects that tarnished some achievements. . . . Admiring accounts of some genuinely admirable American sailors.” —Kirkus

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