Description:
COME UP BIG is an inspirational, moving and often hilarious memoir by Chuck Wardell, following 80 years that intersect with major events in US history.
Brief description: Born extremely prematurely and weighing just two pounds, the doctor told my dear mother Elsa, "Don't even think you've had a child." Against those odds, I survived--and overcame many odds along the way. School was a struggle: I was wrestling with dyslexia and in constant academic turmoil. Later, I was asked to leave Hamilton College for academic reasons, only to be drafted because of the war in Vietnam. But I thrived in the Army and on the battlefields and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, admired by my peers and decorated for combat action. Back home, I tried to get into college once again but I was held back because of the unpopularity of the war, but mostly due to my scores and grades, and I only managed to get into one college--Harvard. How ironic that I graduated cum laude. I landed just one job and it was at the White House working for General Haig--it was 1973 and the Watergate scandal was breaking. I survived Watergate intact, and kept slugging for the next 30 years. I turned 80 this year and may never retire because I'm too busy working!
Review Quotes: "An exciting and even fascinating life does not always produce an excellent autobiography. In this case it does. The author's charm and whimsical view of life bleeds pleasurably into the narrative making it a thoroughly and immensely entertaining romp through a remarkable life superbly lived."
- Brian Haig, author of the best selling Sean Drummond thriller series, and renowned military strategist"Come Up Big is a fascinating book about a great American life well lived. Chuck Wardell's journey from growing up in New York to the jungles of Vietnam, through the halls of power in the White House and corporate America provides a great example of living life with determination, grit and a sense of humor. A joyful read!"- Col. Peter Kinney (Ret, U.S. Army), Board Chair of the Fort Campbell Historical Society
"In essence, Come Up Big is more than a life story-it's a guide for aspiring leaders, dreamers, and doers. It challenges you to rise, serve, and leave your own mark with dignity and conviction."
-a limitless reader
"My Rating: - 5/5: From the Brink to the Boardroom: The Unstoppable Journey of Chuck... Struggling with dyslexia in his youth, Chuck learned early that grit, creativity, and humor could overcome any obstacle. His journey is proof that perseverance pays off and that with the right attitude, anyone can "come up big." Go and grab this book now and read the story in detail. The writing style and book cover is perfect. I would definitely love to read more of the author's work. The narrative unfolds at a steady rhythm allowing readers to fully intricate the details while remaining engrossed in the story. Overall, a great read!"
-niket-a-reviewer