The Restless Wave (book)
| Company type | Memoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | John McCain, Mark Salter |
| Products | Book |
The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations is a 2018 memoir authored by American statesman John McCain alongside his collaborator Mark Salter. This work chronicles McCain’s last ten years in the Senate and his 2008 bid for the presidency against Barack Obama. It serves as the concluding volume in an autobiographical trilogy that began with Faith of My Fathers (1999) and continued with Worth the Fighting For (2002). The narrative also emphasizes McCain’s dedication to advancing democracy and human rights across Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The book’s title draws inspiration from the naval hymn "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", symbolizing McCain’s background as a naval aviator. Comprising ten chapters, it explores themes including the Arab Spring and the concept of regular order in legislative processes.
Contents
The chapters are titled as follows:
- No surrender
- Country first
- About us
- In the company of heroes
- Arab Spring
- Fighting the good fight (with and against Ted Kennedy)
- Nyet (know thine enemy)
- Know thyself (defending the West)
- Part of the main (American exceptionalism)
- Regular order
Addressing President Donald Trump, McCain offers a critique:
His absence of compassion toward refugees—innocent individuals suffering persecution—is deeply troubling. His language reduces them merely to issues of welfare or terrorism. He conflates our government’s actions with authoritarian wrongdoing. Projecting an image of toughness, akin to a reality television show, seems to outweigh adherence to core values. The international community anticipates us to embody humanity’s ideals. This is a legacy we should uphold with pride. I doubt the president fully grasps this responsibility.
Regarding his political stance, McCain explains:
Upon entering Congress, I identified as a Republican, specifically a Reagan Republican, and that remains true today. I am not part of the Tea Party or aligned with Breitbart, nor do I follow talk radio or Fox News. I reject isolationism and protectionism as scapegoating tactics. Often labeled a RINO, I continue to embody Reagan Republican principles: supporting lower taxes, limited government, free markets, open trade, robust defense, and democratic internationalism.
Background
Initially conceived as a joint effort between McCain and Salter focusing on foreign policy and national security topics, their agreement was finalized in February 2017 without public disclosure. The project originally bore the working title It's Always Darkest Before It's Totally Black, reflecting McCain’s characteristic wit; however, following his glioblastoma diagnosis in July 2017, it evolved into a more introspective personal memoir.
Salter remarked that McCain wished to convey his gratitude for six decades of public service and to articulate America’s global importance along with its future trajectory. Much of the manuscript and speeches were developed collaboratively at McCain’s Arizona ranch.
The audiobook spans 14 hours and 15 minutes, predominantly narrated by actor Beau Bridges, with McCain himself recording only the introduction and closing sections due to health constraints. McCain did not engage in promotional activities for the book; interviews were conducted solely by Salter.
In its concluding passages, McCain invokes Ernest Hemingway’s character Robert Jordan from For Whom the Bell Tolls, who confronts death prepared for one final battle: "The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for." McCain adds his own reflection: "And I do too... I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times."
Commercial performance
In its initial week, the book achieved sales exceeding 33,000 copies and launched at the top position on The New York Times Non-Fiction Best Sellers list for the week of June 10, 2018, maintaining a presence on the list for a total of four weeks. The audiobook version also secured a spot on the corresponding New York Times bestseller list.
After McCain's death on August 25, 2018, public interest in his story intensified, resulting in the book reappearing at number one on the New York Times list, followed by placements at fifth and third in the weeks that followed.
Critical reception
The New York Times highlighted McCain’s measured tone despite his grim diagnosis, noting his restrained critique of President Trump alongside his worries about growing national discord. Conversely, ABC News underscored McCain’s pointed criticisms of Trump's administration, particularly regarding immigration policies and his commendation of authoritarian leaders.
The Guardian portrayed McCain as resolute in his fight to the very end but expressed doubts about his endorsement of regime changes in the Middle East. Publishers Weekly found fault with the memoir’s occasional self-centeredness and cautious evaluations of Trump’s shortcomings, describing it more as a farewell tribute than a commentary on contemporary issues.
Kirkus Reviews lauded the memoir as "at times rueful, at times defiant," applauding McCain’s dignified departure from the political arena. Jason Hamill from The American Community Journals recommended it as an honest introspection of McCain’s political journey. Terri Schlichenmeyer of The Pantagraph observed familiar political bravado and some repetition but recognized an underlying heartfelt sense of goodbye throughout the narrative.