A review by hffrkmp
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead by Jim Mattis, Bing West

5.0

Once I heard that Jim Mattis had written a book I knew it was one I wanted to read. I bought it immediately instead of waiting til I could find a discounted copy which is typically my MO. Mattis details his youth in Washington State, how/why he joins the Marine Corps and his love of country. His code for living began as a youth with a strong family background, and the ability to roam as the world was different back then. A young man could backpack/hitchhike without much worry. His life was one lived mostly without cell phones/computers. Despite that he is astute to the current generation because he has spent so much around young Marines. His life experiences are so different from many others of the same generation. He has stayed up to date on technology though not embraced it. He knows his history and embraces our allies/friends because he knows that countries that didn't have failed. In his chosen field, the military, it is full of alliances.

This book is not a tell all like other books. So if you're looking for one of those - skip it. But if you are a leader, or future leader this is a book on how to lead and how to follow. Mattis admits freely that he has made mistakes, as any good leader does. He also points out that he provided options to presidents and they chose to disregard his options. Presidents have that option and he as a good military man respects that. I recommend this book to anyone who plans to lead or follow in life. Rule #1 of being a leader, you must first be able to follow. Mattis knows how to do both. The US is a better place because of Jim Mattis' service.