Title: Runnin’ With Frogs: A Navy Memoir
Author: George R. Worthington
Publisher: Greenberry Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1643140261
Pages: 232
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
Douglas MacArthur once said, “Like the old soldier of the ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Goodbye.” Yet in George R. Worthington’s book Runnin’ With Frogs: A Navy Memoir, this author proves that their life in the military doesn’t have to end by fading away, but rather can live on by sharing that life both in and out of the military with the world to see.
This book is an incredible first-hand account of the author’s life, retired Rear Admiral George R. Worthington, U.S. Navy. The author showcases in great detail their life by outlining it in three separate phases. Phase 1 explores the author’s childhood (including living in the age of WWII and the Third Reich), as well as the journey of the author’s education at South Kent School and Brown University. Phase II explores the author’s very detailed account of their military career, including unique assignments and interactions with military servicemen, generals, senators and leaders of the government. Finally, Phase III explores the author’s life after military life, and reflects on the lessons learned throughout a full career.
The author’s ability to go into great detail regarding the life of a servicemen in the Navy and the vivid description of every action taken, even in transportation scenarios, was amazing to see unfold. You can read the author’s detail in passages like this, “The transit to Pearl Harbor was remembered for its rough (Pacific—calm waters?) passage a day out of San Diego. Six destroyers in formation for the normally five-day transit at sixteen knots. We endured three days of Sea State 4!” Here the author highlights a disciplined yet relatable way of showcasing the journey taken on the sea surrounded by destroyer ships.
This is definitely a book for anyone who enjoys stories of military life, memoirs from real life servicemen and specifically Navy admirals, and memoirs in general. The stories told within this book are vast and detailed, and explore many facets of American history. From tours in Saigon during the 70’s to time spent with Seal Team One, working with or in the State Department and Pentagon, and receiving a command position, this book explores quite a vast and extraordinary career. As a fan of memoirs and getting an in-depth look into the viewpoints and lives of others, this book thoroughly brought me into the life of a career military man and how it shaped that individual into the person he is now.
This is a fantastic read overall. An evenly paced read that thoroughly explores the life of a retired Navy Admiral, this book is perfect for fans of memoirs and anyone with a connection to or interest in military life in general. From the effects on family life to the connections to historical figures some of us don’t realize we have, (for example the author’s Uncle having taken a photo of Hitler in his time in Germany, or the sadness the author felt at the assassination of John F. Kennedy after having seen the leader speak two years previously), this book has a bit of everything that everyone can enjoy. If you enjoy personal stories and detailed memoirs, then grab your copy of Runnin’ with Frogs: A Navy Memoir by George R Worthington today.