The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived

by William H. McRaven

From the acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed -- a short, inspirational book about the qualities of true, everyday heroes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Self Help, Military Fiction, Personal Development, Inspirational, History

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2021

About the author

Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Retired) served with great distinction in the Navy. In his thirty-seven years as a Navy SEAL, he commanded at every level. As a Four-Star Admiral, his final assignment was as Commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces. He is now Chancellor of the University of Texas System.

Reviews

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book of wisdom learned by McRaven. 10 items make up the Hero Code: Courage, Humility, Sacrifice, Integrity, Compassion, Perseverance, Duty, Hope, Humor and Forgiveness, With examples of each from his life experience. Definitely a must read.

[Therese Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect gift to give a graduate is this book. It is a wealth of inspiration and a compendium of values on being a better and braver human.

[Meaghan Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book by a favorite author!!

William reminds us all to be heroes, and to take one step forward, at a time. Yes, life can be complicated at times, but we should never, ever give up. Each and every single one of us have our lines in the sand, those fears that keep us from being courageous. Let’s express and reach to be rich in gratitude, in satisfaction and in appreciation.

We can all be a hero. We all have something that makes us unique, we just need to find what our talent is, use it to inspire others, to give hope, and to make tomorrow a better day.

[Marksbymallory · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to sit down and have story time with a former Naval officer, you may find this book entertaining. If you’re looking for any deep or profound insights on the nature of heroism, this is not the book.

The format of the book is based on a list of ten rather ordinary virtues, including Courage, Humility, Perseverance, and Humor. Each of these has a chapter devoted to it, which consists of anecdotal stories from the author’s experience in and out of the military.

I don’t take issue with the list, as it’s plain truth. However, I have seen many such lists which say many of the same things, and there is no real substance added to the conversation by this book.

I’m not sure who this book is intended for. It reads like one of those gift books you give to a graduate, who thanks you politely, puts it on his bookshelf and never touches it again. By all means, read it for the anecdotes, which are entertaining enough, but get it from the library. It’s ridiculously high priced, obviously capitalizing on the title of Admiral on the cover, and I can pretty much guarantee you won’t reference this book after you’ve read it.

This book contains nothing but the list and the anecdotes. It does not address why the author chose these qualities as his neat 10-item definition of heroism. It doesn’t evangelize for the aspiration of heroism in a culture that denigrates its heroes and elevates victimhood; it does not give any reason why, only assumes that it is already your highest goal.

In addition, it displays a complete lack of effort to make these virtues relatable to an ordinary, average person. Most of the anecdotes are examples of heroism in extreme circumstances, and of course many of these are very inspiring. However, the author drops the ball. A motivated reader can certainly extrapolate from the stories, but most readers don’t do that—and they will not walk away with any sense of how these virtues can be applied in everyday, ordinary situations. It does not empower “average” people to become heroes.

I am sure Admiral McRaven is a nice guy, and I thank him for his service.

Overall, I think this book really missed its mark. We are in a cultural moment when we need more people who aspire to heroism, and the shallowness of this book will ultimately fail to inspire anyone.

[Fabian Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque no estoy de acuerdo con todo lo que se dice en el libro, este tiene muchas lecciones valiosas y lo mejor es que las cuenta de manera breve y concisa haciendo que sea una lectura ligera pero con un contenido de bastante valor.

[ᛚᚨᚱᚲᚨ × ᚠᛖᚾᚱᛁᚱ (Semi hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Be the hero we need you to be - live the Hero Code.

This book is only gained two stars, probably biased, for two reasons.
• military issue: first thought that comes to mind reading the problem is probably “No sh*t Sherlock”, considering the background of William H. McRaven, who served in the army. The fact is, picking the book up I didn't look at the author background if not when I started reading it. And of course it was bound to have an impact, but THIS much? H3ll I though I was on training grounds most of the time, but the instructor yelling at me why joining the army and going to war is the sh*t. I can understand the examples coming from a world close to the author, but the blind praise is unsettling. For real.
• religious issue: his willingness to cite the Bible, to put some (far too many for my taste) religious views get old really fast, and in my case makes me roll my eyes. It's well known that only religious people have the willingness and the audacity to make something good for others, the atheists as myself usually laughs at people's misfortune while taking tea with Satan.
That being said, I've bumped the starts from one to two, and the reason is for the nature of the book itself, and for the ray of hope the author lives behind. The following is an excerpt of the book, in which the author explains the very early origins of his moral code, in what he calls epiphany:

If you can have an epiphany at eight years old, well then, this was mine. If Superman wasn’t real, then who was going to save the world? If Superman or Batman or Spider-Man weren’t coming, then how would we stop the criminals, the Nazis, the Soviets, the aliens from outer space, and all the violence and destruction? The answer was clear. It was up to us. Over time I became fixated on real-world heroes: astronauts striving to reach the moon, doctors creating vaccines to save millions: Civic leaders marching for the rights of the underrepresented. Political leaders forming new governments where the people had a voice. Decorated soldiers returning from Korea and then Vietnam. Sports figures who transcended the color barrier. Adventurers who were climbing higher, diving deeper, sailing farther, and exploring the unknown. Visionaries who were trying to clean the air, save the oceans, and protect the fragile ecosystems. I marveled at each of these remarkable men and women, but in the back of my mind, I knew that I was nothing like them. They were smarter, stronger, braver. They had all the attributes I lacked. They had superpowers that I just didn’t possess. That’s why they were heroes, and that’s why they were the only people who could save the world. But I was wrong.

I can dislike the author background, and I can found the force-feeding of the religious part cringy, but I want to praise the good nature of this book. The Hero Code is a really simple idea

1. I will always try to be courageous; to take one step forward as I confront my fears.
2. I will work to be humble; to recognize the limits of my intellect, my understanding, and my power.
3. I will learn to sacrifice by giving a little of my time, my talent, and my treasure to those in need.
4. I will be a person of integrity; every decision I make and every action I take will be moral, legal, and ethical.
5. I will be kind and compassionate to at least one person every single day and expect nothing in return.
6. I will never give up on matters that are important to me, my family, my country, or my faith. I will persevere.
7. Whatever job I am given, whatever duty I am bound by, I will do it to the best of my ability.
8. I will use my unique talents to inspire others and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
9. I will use humour to comfort others, and never be afraid of laugh at myself.
10. No matter how great or small the offence against me, I will try to forgive. I will be the victor, not the victim.

but maybe if we cherry pick (I really can't wash the military and religious after-taste that shows clearly even in this list), independently of our believes in life, we could make the world a more gentle and hospitable place.

I hope that you will find the stories in this book and these lessons of character to be of value as you build your own life, worthy of the respect of others. The hard truth is that Superman is not coming to save the day. Each of us will have to do our part. Each of us will have to find the hero inside and bring it forth. So, grab a towel, hop on a chair, and let’s take that leap!

[...]

Being a hero won’t be easy. It wasn’t meant to be. Being a hero can be filled with pain and disappointment. It is dangerous at times. If you stand your ground or stand up for what you believe in, you are likely to suffer the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” But we call people heroes for a reason. Their actions rise above the crowd. They separate themselves from the weak-kneed, the bench-sitters, those who lack the moral fortitude to do the right thing, and, in the end, the heroes make us better people, a better society, and a better world. As much as I hoped the Man of Steel would be around to save the world, he is not. It is up to us. It is up to you.

Rating: ★★


Other Books by the Author
• Spec Ops: Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice
• The Journal of International Security Affairs, Fall/Winter 2012
• The Chosen Few: A Company of Paratroopers and Its Heroic Struggle to Survive in the Mountains of Afghanistan
• Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... and Maybe the World
• Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations
• Make Your Bed: A Daily Journal
• Perfectly Wounded: A Memoir About What Happens After a Miracle

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó el libro los testimonios de autor me hicieron meditar pero me atrevo a decir que de las 10 virtudes que leí algunas si o si me llegaron muy fuertes , un libro que si o si hay que releerlo por lo corto que es y para volver a meditar en el, le doy tres estrellas .

[Ana-Maria Voloc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Umorul este una dintre cele mai importante calități pentru un erou. Dacă vrei să arăți curaj, râzi în fața pericolului.

[Book2chance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Το νέο βιβλίο του στρατηγού-συγγραφέα έρχεται μετά το στρώσε το κρεβάτι σου να συνεχίσει τις συμβουλές καλής ζωής που ξεκίνησε.

Απλές ιστορίες καθημερινών ανθρώπων, κυρίως από την στρατιωτική του καριέρα,που καταδεικνύουν πως με υπομονή, χιούμορ ,ελπίδα, συμπόνια και θάρρος μπορούν να αντιμετωπιστούν οι περισσότερες δυσκολίες. Παράλληλα ο συγγραφέας θέλει να αφήσει ένα φόρο τιμής στους καθημερινούς ήρωες της πραγματικής ζωής.

Γραμμένο με απλό τρόπο, σχεδόν απλοϊκό εκφράζει κυρίως την εικόνα και τα συναισθήματα των αμερικανών για την οικογένεια, την πατρίδα και τους ανθρώπους. Απόψεις όμως που ως επί το πλείστον διαφέρουν αρκετά από αυτές που επικρατούν στην Ευρώπη ως προς την σύλληψη και έκφρασή τoυ

[John of Canada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent.

[Alex Gaidai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of personal stories from the admiral paired with lessons on 10 virtues I guess. Is humor a virtue?

Anyway, just like "Make your bed" his stories are compelling and vivid and wild at times. The overall moral foundation seemed to struggle a bit. He quotes Jesus, Allah, Budha, etc.. and kinda pulls from everywhere, but the conclusion is "these are good things, because they are" and "you got it in you, just don't give up". Felt like human nature is already awesome and just needs a reminder. Anyway idk why I'm reading it with theological or philosophical lens, it's good collection of stories and reminder of the power of these virtues.

[Jace Kohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 down!!!!!! 2 books down!!!

Listen, I enjoy reading admiral McRaven’s books. This book is a great sequel to Make Your Bed. This book is full of anecdotal snippets that really support the 10 Hero Code commandants he lays out. If this is something you don’t think you’d read, think again! There is good advice on how to be a Hero in your everyday life and just a great reminder on how to live a more humble and fulfilling life.

Cheers !

[Vlada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Обожнюю книги цього автора, а ця стала моєю найулюбленішою. Вона про невидимих героїв, які щодня є біля нас і про те, що кожен з нас є цим героєм або може стати. Рекомендую. Дуже цінна книга, особливо в наш тривожний час!

[Jim Becker · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s well written that’s all I’ll say. Save your money

[John McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some might think Admiral McRaven's pithy guides for leading a better life are trite or obvious, but I find them full of insight. The protocols or guidelines he gives in each of his short books illumine small lessons each of us can learn and practice. I appreciate the reminders.

None of the rules he highlights are hard to follow or require anything other than a commitment to becoming a better human being, someone who will stand by ready to be kind, compassionate, committed to duty, and, among other things, humble. A person will not, as I always remind my son, ever go wrong by showing gratitude, compassion, and humility, and doing what you are expected to do to help others.

Here are the characteristics of the Hero Code:

1. Courage.
2. Humility.
3. Sacrifice.
4. Integrity.
5. Compassion.
6. Perseverance.
7. Duty. Readers might want to read the chapter on Duty twice to remember what duty is.
8. Hope.
9. Humor.
10. Forgiveness.

Practicing all or any of these will never get a person in trouble. Practicing them consistently will give a person the peace of mind to know that he is acting wisely and in the interests of others. Not a bad way to lead one's life.

[Bill Tress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be read by everyone, beginning as early as possible in life. In an ideal world, parents would continuously deliver these values to their children around the dinner table and in private discussions. The Hero Code would be lived by the parents for their children to mirror.
In an ideal world, the Hero Code would be part of our education system, taught by teachers and practiced by teachers and administrators to provide examples of living by a Hero Code. When we fail to practice the lessons of this book, the failure should be pointed out and an unemotional discussion should take place pointing to what should be done in the future. Unfortunately, we do not have an ideal world!
The ten principles of the Hero Code are non-denominational; our author states they are the lessons learned from observing lives well lived. I agree with his assessment and he provides excellent examples to prove his points. I believe they also speak to the humanity of man. The control of emotions and the ability to moderate those emotions are part of this Code.
The examples he refers to are not easy to achieve. McRaven says, perform these actions daily even in small ways and when the big decision must be made you will be prepared. A few of these lessons are particularly difficult for instance, forgiveness. The example of the man who lost his daughters because of our military’s errors and his ability to forgive made him a great man in contrast to his humble existence. The example of the families of children killed by a mass murder forgiving him was powerful and difficult, yet when forgiveness is given, it releases the anger and frees the victims to become victors. The example cited regarding John McCain was amazing and extremely hard to accomplish unless a lifetime of effort had been made to be ready when called upon to act.
I will pass this book on and hope that I and other recipients will profit from its lessons.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hero Code is an excellent short read and a good follow-up after Make Your Bed.

McRaven shares stories, lessons of character, and qualities that make and mold us into everyday heroes: Courage, Humility, Sacrifice, Integrity, Compassion, Perseverance, Duty, Hope, Humor, Forgiveness. There is a hero in all of us, and we can all live the hero code. An overall lesson in the book is that perfecting the small things can allow you to achieve the bigger things.

The Hero Code Values:
‣ Courage: I will always strive to be courageous, to take one step forward as I confront my fears.
‣ Humility: I will work to recognize the limits of my intellect, my understanding, and my power.
‣ Sacrifice: I will learn to give a little of my time, my talent, and my treasure to those in need. Every day. Without fail.
‣ Integrity: I will be a person of integrity; every decision I make and every action I take will be moral, legal, and ethical.
‣ Compassion: I will be kind and compassionate to at least one person every single day and expect nothing in return.
‣ Perseverance: I will never give up on matters that are important to me, my family, my country, or my faith. I will persevere.
‣ Duty: Whatever job I am given, whatever duty I am bound by, I will do it to the best of my ability.
‣ Hope: I will use my unique talents to inspire others and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
‣ Humor: I will use humor to comfort others, and never be afraid to laugh at myself.
‣ Forgiveness: No matter how great or small the offence against me, I will try to forgive. I will be the victor, not the victim.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short concise. Great examples of each characteristic. Enjoyed the use of humor for building comradeship. Seems to arise naturally in trying circumstances.

Breaking overwhelming tasks into short serial
tasks a good way to practice Ganmai.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book as great as the man who wrote it. Life lessons and a code that we can learn from and make it a goal to live by. Inspiring, motivating and pulls on your heartstrings. Thank you Bill for another great read and all of your service to our nation.

[Beththena Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 - I enjoyed some of the stories shared in this short book. I am biased because of the UT connection but it is a good little inspirational book to have on hand. However many of these lessons are your typical points of encouragement with a different flare when you look at them from the lens of the people in this book.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Mildly inspiring but not earth-shattering. Interesting anecdotes.

[Nancy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, succinct books with 10 virtues of being a hero, or just simply, a better person.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was less than fully moved by McRaven's adulation of some of his heroes, and thought it ended rather abruptly.

[Gino · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here's a summary for you: be courageous, have integrity and inspire hope. Book: done. Unless you're interested in anecdotal stories to accompany this, then it might't be worth your time.

[Calvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Was very surprised to learn how outspoken this man is against Trump considering this book sounds like it was written by a military version of Tucker Carlson.

[Jimmy Bedoya-Ramírez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinopsis:

En El código del héroe, el almirante retirado William H. McRaven, autor de Tiende tu cama, explora qué significa ser un héroe en la vida real. A partir de su experiencia en los Navy SEAL y su contacto con personas extraordinarias en diferentes ámbitos, McRaven identifica las cualidades esenciales del heroísmo: coraje, humildad, sacrificio, integridad y compasión. A través de anécdotas personales y ejemplos de soldados, médicos, científicos y ciudadanos comunes, el autor argumenta que el heroísmo no es exclusivo de unos pocos, sino una elección disponible para todos.

Mis impresiones:

McRaven tiene el don de contar historias de manera sencilla y motivadora. Su estilo es directo y claro, lo que hace que el libro sea una lectura accesible y rápida. A diferencia de otros libros sobre liderazgo y disciplina, El código del héroe se enfoca más en los valores humanos que en tácticas o estrategias militares.

Uno de los puntos más fuertes del libro es su mensaje positivo: el heroísmo no está reservado para figuras legendarias, sino que se manifiesta en actos cotidianos de valentía y servicio a los demás. McRaven lo demuestra con relatos conmovedores de personas que han enfrentado desafíos extremos con dignidad y determinación.

Los temas y la estructura:

El libro está dividido en capítulos breves, cada uno centrado en una cualidad esencial del heroísmo. A través de ejemplos concretos, McRaven extrae lecciones aplicables a la vida diaria. No es un libro denso ni teórico, sino una colección de reflexiones personales y enseñanzas prácticas.

¿Y los peros?:

Si bien el libro es inspirador, no ofrece una gran profundidad en sus análisis. Algunas historias pueden resultar un tanto idealizadas, y quienes busquen un enfoque más estructurado sobre liderazgo o desarrollo personal podrían encontrarlo demasiado simple. Además, el tono a veces cae en un optimismo algo predecible.

En conclusión:

Un libro motivador que destaca la importancia de la integridad, el coraje y la empatía en la vida cotidiana. McRaven nos recuerda que el heroísmo no requiere grandes hazañas, sino la voluntad de actuar con honor y valentía en los momentos que importan. Una lectura ideal para quienes buscan inspiración y un recordatorio de que todos podemos marcar la diferencia.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comprei este livro no sebo pensando que de alguma forma poderia auxiliar na minha pesquisa sobre super-heróis. De certa forma, ele traz o tal código do herói do título, com algumas qualidades que um herói deve apresentar. Esse é o ponto positivo do livro. O restante é algo típico de um livro de autoajuda: um texto curto com letras grandes e uma entrelinha grande. Mas leve em conta também que o autor é um militar estadunidense, então temos uma boa dose de chauvinismo típico dos Estados Unidos, um bom bocado de glorificação da violência e das forças armadas como uma ferramenta de paz e, claro, a comparação dos militares com super-heróis, como se pertencessem a uma classe exclusiva de pessoas, superiores, tal qual os nascidos nos Estados Unidos. Mas que faz todo sentido quando pensamos na cultura dos super-heróis que é tudo isso e muito mais. Contudo, mesmo que uma coisa faça sentido, não quer dizer que precisamos gostar ou ser a favor delas, correto?

[Lisa J Shultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hero Code is made up of 10 items: Courage, Humility, Sacrifice, Integrity, Compassion, Perseverance, Duty, Hope, Humor and Forgiveness. The author, a U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, will give you stories from his military career about why he believes in these virtues. A quick and inspiring read.

[Virginia Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Kristin Harmel historical fiction books. In those books our author describes the contributions made by ordinary people during the period of WWII. Now the characters in her books are not real people, they are based upon the live of real people. To me, each of these books was inspirational. I live in an independent living facility and I am in the midst of preparing a book review of one of those books for the residents who live there.

In the meantime, a friend suggested I read The Hero Code. What a wonderful book to read as a follow up to the books of Kristin Harmel.
I found a book review where the reviewer used only one word to describe The Hero Code. He said: "Magnificent". I agree.

This books gives us a list of the qualities of a hero. They are: Courage, Humility, Sacrifice, Integrity, Compassion, Perseverance, Duty, Hope, Humor and Forgiveness. The book contains examples of individuals who have exhibited each of those qualities.

Another reviewer said: While this book does not judge you for being wherever you are, it does challenge you to do better.

I agree with those reviewers. This is a wonderful book.

[Brittany Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always the admiral has penned another inspiring book! This one will be going in a graduation gift with “Make Your Bed” - it’s a short book so if you own and haven’t read or can listen to it on overdrive I’d recommend! They are both most certainly worth the read!