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Make Your Bed  By  cover art

Make Your Bed

By: Admiral William H. McRaven
Narrated by: Admiral William H. McRaven
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Publisher's summary

Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this number-one New York Times best seller of powerful life lessons "should be read by every leader in America" (Wall Street Journal).

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves - and the world - for the better.

Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments.

"Powerful." (USA Today)

"Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." (Washington Post)

"Superb, smart, and succinct." (Forbes)

©2017 William H. McRaven (P)2017 Hachette Audio

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What listeners say about Make Your Bed

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Watch the YouTube video

There is a YouTube video of Admiral William H. McRaven giving a commencement speech at the University of Texas. It is about following ten principles that he learned from Navy Seal training to change himself and to change the world. This book adds depth to the ten principles with stories from his years in military service. Watch the video first. If you enjoy that, you'll probably enjoy the book. Military analogies for life lessons might not appeal to everyone.

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499 people found this helpful

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inspiring, deeply moving, and empowering

At 66 years old, I thought for sure my character was well-crafted and established for the rest of my life. I believed that I had read most all of the important authors and had been exposed to the most important Concepts for a successful life. This book, in its simplicity, has introduced me to a new code for action. Know I have a new Mantra to repeat every morning. It comes in the form of a list that I hand-wrote after reading this book. 10 points to live by. As I write this I look forward to a better life because of making my bed. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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272 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Simple and straightforward

A book about a man's lessons learned from life in the military, especially bootcamp. I thought the author's insight was interesting, but i really didn't think it was very deep, just mostly impassioned. I did appreciate the reminder that even planning and hard work doesn't always pay off the way we think it will, and that sometimes life challenges are rewarding in their own way.

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103 people found this helpful

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Amazing find and read!

This book is one of the best concise guides on how to change your outlook on life but also lead it to your fullest potential! Totally found it on accident while looking for something new to read. Highly recommended.

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67 people found this helpful

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  • 12-22-17

Get over being a sugar cookie!!

Truly spectacular, I really needed to hear this message. Directly applies to my life in the private sector and I have listened to it more than once, it was fantastic listening to Admiral McRaven present the book in his own voice. You don't expect the candor or to hear of his failures-----MUST MUST Read/listen you won't regret the purchase!

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60 people found this helpful

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That voice!

Listening to Gen McRaven's amazing voice totally makes this story on Audible worthwhile, never mind that it is, hands down, the most inspirational story I've ever heard!

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57 people found this helpful

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Concise & Powerful

One of the higher "value for word" books I've read. Admiral McRaven is inspiring without being preachy, and comes across as both extremely knowledgeable and extremely humble. Simple but profound stories of courage, heroism, dedication. Will definitely listen to this one again and again.

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49 people found this helpful

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The best book I have ever listened to!!

Thank you McCraven for writing AND narrating this book!
I know it will change my life from here forward, and only wish I had read it when I was a child.
Your work will not be in vain!
Thank you and God bless you.

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42 people found this helpful

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Life Changing

Listened to this in a dark moment. "Life constantly puts you in situations where quitting seems so much easier than continuing on. Where the olds are so stacked against you, that giving up seems the rational thing to do. "

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42 people found this helpful

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So-so.

it wasn't all that inspiring, but I did enjoy the short stories. the last 30 mins are just a recap of the first 1.5 hrs of the book. great narration!

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36 people found this helpful