About this item
The first in-depth look at the marine hero who has become one of the most beloved and admired men in America today: Secretary of Defense James Mattis.A devout student of history and erudite reader revered by rank and file soldiers, officers, academics, politicians, and ordinary citizens, General James Mattis is one of the most admired leaders serving America today. A man who has long used his position as a model for the soldiers he leads, Mattis in 2003 shared a "Message to All Hands" with the men and women under his command, outlining their responsibilities as soldiers of the corps. Emphasizing the importance of the mission and the goal to act with honor, Mattis ended with the motto he had adopted from another great figure, Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla: "Demonstrate to the world that there is 'No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy' than a US Marine."The first Trump presidential cabinet nominee, Mattis, retired from activity military duty for only three years at the time, received a rare Congressional waiver to hold the civilian position of Secretary of Defense, and in the hyper-partisan political atmosphere of 2017, astonishingly received nearly unanimous, bipartisan support for his nomination. After months of headline-making chaos involving the White House, Mattis remains one of the few widely revered members of the Trump administration.In this illuminating biography, Jim Proser looks beyond Mattis' professional competence to focus on the driving element behind Mattis' success: his unimpeachable character - a formidable personal integrity that fosters universal confidence. Proser carefully examines the events of Mattis' life and career to reveal a man who leads with insight, humor, fighting courage, and fierce compassion - not only for his fellow Marines, but for the innocent victims of war. Chronicling how Mattis' martial and personal values have elevated him to the highest levels of personal success and earned him the trust of a nation, Proser makes clear how America is stronger because of his service and his example.
About the Author
Award-Winning author Jim Proser grew up as the fourth of five sons of nightclub impresario Monte Proser and film actress Jane Ball in New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Jim began his professional writing career at age 15 as a city reporter for the Lambertville (NJ) Beacon newspaper and as a regional photojournalist for the Bucks County Courier Times. He went on as a journalist to write interviews of business leaders for the Investor's Business Daily. He has written screenplays for film and television producers including 20th Century Fox Television, Showtime Networks and numerous independent producers.
His first novel, "I'm Staying with My Boys; The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC" was published by St. Martin's Press and awarded the United States Marine Corps Commandant's Recommendation in 2011. It was used as source material for the HBO television series, The Pacific, and the subsequent documentary film written and directed by Mr. Proser.
The book and documentary have also served as the source material for speaking engagements to the United States Naval Institute in Washington DC, the University of Northern Idaho Writer's Symposium, Bowdoin College Advanced Literature Studies, the Coeur D'Alene Charter Academy and numerous civic organizations and secondary schools.
His second novel, Mr. Copacabana, the biography of his father, creator of the iconic Copacabana nightclub, has been optioned for production as a television series in 2017 by 11 time Emmy nominated producer Bill D'Elia and is also in development as a stage musical.
Mr. Proser lives in Sarasota, FL and spends his days working on his third novel, Monte and the Assassins, and writing inflammatory political posts for his blog at jimproser.com.
