"Biography is the most difficult challenge in literature. The biographer must be a captivating storyteller, with the discipline and cultivation of an historian with a thorough grasp of the subject’s professional, political and geographic environment. When that subject is an international public figure, a leader, a teacher, scholar and mentor, and yet a very private person, the task is compounded. Admiral James Stavridis, himself a critically acclaimed author, is fortunate in attracting the attention of Stanley Carpenter, the noted historian. He has written a wonderful book, that should be on the required reading lists of every high school and university."—John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy and author of Oceans Ventured

"The ranks of America’s senior military leaders have included bold tacticians, thoughtful strategists, great innovators, prolific writers and imaginative thought leaders. Seldom, however, does one leader possess each of those traits. Admiral Jim Stavridis is one such leader. Stanley Carpenter’s biography chronicles Stavridis’ remarkable life of service throughout his Navy career and beyond. Stavridis’ lifelong commitment to our Nation while upholding the highest ideals of honor, integrity and selflessness serves as an example for us all."—Gen. Carter Ham, USA (Ret.), former Commander, United States Africa Command

“I have known Admiral Jim Stavridis since he was a midshipman in the 70s. He was an exceptional talent and human being then and has been his whole life, with a rare range of skills. He has commanded in war and peace and served at the highest levels in uniquely complex times. His life is a treatise on leadership and a spectacular example of the modern leader.”—Adm. Michael Mullen, USN (Ret.). former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

“It was quickly clear to me that a young cruiser operations officer named Jim Stavridis who visited Topgun one day to pick our brains about air warfare was destined for exceptional success in—and probably beyond—the U.S. Navy. Stan Carpenter has captured the essence of this brilliant warrior-scholar’s journey of learning and leadership in a readable and well-constructed narrative.”—Adm. James "Sandy" Winnefeld, USN (Ret.), former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and author of Sailing Upwind

“Stan Carpenter hit a home run with this excellent biography of a really different, modern sailor, diplomat, author, and leader. His description of the life, qualities, and writings of Admiral James George Stavridis is much more than a biography. It is also a valuable rendition of examples of leadership and lesson-learning at all levels of followership and command by a most extraordinary Navy officer.”—Adm. Robert J. Natter, USN (Ret.) former Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet

Capt. Stanley Carpenter, Ph.D, a retired professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College, has written a fascinating biography of Admiral James Stavridis, who finished his brilliant career as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) in 2013. Unlike most biographies of long dead admirals, Jim Stavridis is very much alive and kicking. His is a story of how one individual went from midshipman to full Admiral in today’s navy. It helps that he is whip smart, uber competitive, tirelessly energetic, thoroughly professional and an inspired leader. In fact, this book also doubles as a manual on how to excel as a division officer, a department head, an executive officer, a commanding officer, a squadron commander, a carrier strike group commander, and joint combatant commander. Among many insights that foretold success, my favorite is when LTJG Stavridis was “rewarded” for his outstanding first assignment on a spanking new destroyer, by being sent as boilers officer (“B division”) on the old aircraft carrier USS Forrestal. He was among a handful of top-performing surface junior officers sent to older conventional steam powered carriers as an “experiment” to improve the ships’ engineering reliability. How he coped with 150 “hard core” boiler technicians is a must-read saga. This is a book worth having.”—RADM Michael McDevitt, USN (Ret.), author of China as a 21st Century Maritime Power 

“When I was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in the first four years (1990-1994) of what would be the post-Cold War era, the reputation of James Stavridis was well known. This books gives great background and details how he navigated that era in creative and effective ways. His story has many lessons especially relevant as the nation contends with a sharpening China challenge. His conceptualization and implementation of smart power will be of particular interest to readers.”—Capt. Brent Sadler, USN (Ret.), Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation 

"Stanley Carpenter translates explains how this “Accidental Admiral” was no accident at all. Admiral James Stavridis offers reflections of a surface warfare officer rising through the ranks during the closing years of the Cold War provides a template most worthy of emulation not only for today’s SWO up and comers, but for those seeking success climbing any institutional ladder. In the post-Cold War world where Stavridis eventually becomes the first (and only) Navy officer to serve as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), we  take front seat journey through many of America’s foreign policy challenges in the years following 9/11. With a concluding chapter titled “A Life Well Done” Carpenter deserves a Bravo Zulu for a book well done!"—David F. Winkler, Ph.D.  author of America’s First Aircraft Carrier