Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them

John McCain was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 and was named one of America's ten best Senators by Time magazine in 2006. During his military career he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Phoenix, Arizona.

With his political intentions so well known, it can be difficult to discern if this is a simple attempt to examine Òhard callsÓ in history or merely McCainÕs way of demonstrating his knowledge of such events. Of course, the implication is that he, too, knows how to identify such situations and make the right choices. Daniel Kelly uses emphasis and a deliberate pace to good effect as the author discusses events such as the CHALLENGER explosion, the invention of the telephone, and the decisions that led to Jackie RobinsonÕs crossing the color line. McCainÕs narrations are delivered in a more oratory fashion that resembles speeches or lectures more than actual narration. Much like a campaign speech, the bonus ÒconversationÓ sounds a bit rehearsed. L.E. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine