The Heart and The Fist

The Heart and The Fist, a memoir by Eric Greitens, centers on Eric's own journeys as a student, athlete, humanitarian, and Navy SEAL. Greitens' first travels abroad to China during college after receiving a grant that allows him to do an independent study abroad for the summer. From there, Eric volunteers in many other countries, working in refugee camps and helping the poor of Bosnia, Rwanda, and Bolivia.

The people he meets during his travels teach Eric many valuable lessons through the telling of their harrowing stories of survival and hardship and by showing him how tirelessly one can work for a cause.

Eric is also taught lessons in strength, perseverance and discipline when he takes up boxing. The many hours he spends training help prepare him for a much more difficult task, becoming a Navy SEAL.

Eric decides to join the Navy when he realizes that although he is helping others through his work as a humanitarian, he steps in to "ease the suffering," his work doesn't prevent terrible things, like genocide, from happening. This is how Eric develops his idea that "you have to be strong to do good, but you also have to do good to be strong."

This powerful true story taught me that one person really can make a difference, but it is up to you to "choose your own adventure." This is a book everyone should read.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt