Forging character through struggle

History shows that our greatest trials reveal our true identity

Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash

👋Hello, my friend and Happy Sunday to you. I’ve got three things to share with you today:

1. The latest episode of the Intentional Wisdom podcast

2. Some thoughts on how our greatest trials forge our true character

3. A few additions to your content diet

Let’s go!

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Ep.18 - Candice Millard - Writing Her Own History

Candice Millard is the best-selling author of four books in the so-called “narrative non-fiction” space. In plain English, that means she writes books about history—but through her massive talent and an incredibly robust research process—turns them into absolute page-turners that rival even the most thrilling works of fiction.

Candice has been a favorite author of mine since I first read River of Doubt, which tells the story of Teddy Roosevelt’s harrowing journey down an unmapped river in a remote part of the Amazon. Since then, I’ve devoured her other three books: Hero of the Empire (the unbelievable story of young Winston Churchill’s escape from prison in Africa’s Boer War), River of the Gods (the untold story of an epic search for the source of the Nile), and quite possibly my favorite, Destiny of the Republic (the heart-breaking and largely forgotten tale of the assassination of one of our most promising U.S. Presidents, James Garfield).

I wanted to interview Candice to shine a light on her work, especially for those who have yet to discover it. I also wanted to understand what made her tick – how she produces such incredible works of non-fiction, what she has learned about human character from her deep studies of historical figures, and even how she would encourage others (especially kids) to develop their own love of reading, writing and history.

This conversation surprised to the upside in so many ways. Not only did Candice share with me some incredible behind-the-scenes stories from own travels in researching her books, but she was also kind enough to open up about some of her own greatest struggles—including dealing with a terrifying cancer diagnosis for her unborn child.

For me, this conversation was one of those “I really get to do this?” moments. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  

Character is revealed in moments of struggle, not triumph

It’s fascinating to me that Candice Millard chose to focus her stories not on the moments of triumph for historical figures like Roosevelt, Churchill and Garfield, but rather on periods of their lives where they encountered incredible pain, suffering and struggle. Instead of seeing Roosevelt as the barrel-chested, trusting-busting, fiery President that he was, we see him as an older, much-weakened version of himself stranded in the Amazon, and seriously contemplating suicide.

Instead of seeing Churchill on V Day celebrating the defeat of Hitler and the Nazis, we see him as a young prisoner of war in the Boer War of Africa. And rather than harping on the endless academic talents, leadership traits, and military triumphs of President James Garfield, we see him on his death bed enduring almost unimaginable pain and suffering.

Is Candice Millard just a glutton for punishment? I don’t think so. I think what she has discovered is the universal truth that a person’s character is not revealed in glory, but rather in struggle. Garfield is as good an example as any other. After losing his health, his nascent Presidency (and ultimately his life) to the bullet of a crazy man, and enduring gruesome and unsanitary medical procedures for weeks on end, Garfield somehow remained in good spirits. As his body withered away and he laid just days away from almost certain death, his concern seemed to be not for himself but rather for how he could provide comfort to others.

It’s not just presidents and prime ministers who are tested like this. It’s all of us. Eight years ago, when my dad died tragically and prematurely, I had this realization:

None of us get out of this life without struggle. Without pain. Without getting absolutely knocked on our asses.

Death, disease, divorce. It looks a little bit different for everyone. Eventually it hits every single one of us.

But here’s a way to look at this optimistically. As I’ve already mentioned (and Candice Millard has eloquently and vividly brought to life many times), character is revealed in times of struggle. The reality is that if you haven’t been tested in your life, you don’t really know who you are. Until you face the untimely death of someone close to you, or a painful divorce, or the news that your child is sick, or whatever it is that absolutely knocks you on your ass and makes you rethink your entire life plan… you have not been tested.

In this respect, getting tested, as painful as it can be, can be a great thing. It teaches us who we are (and who we can become). It shows us that we are capable of dealing with immense pain and bouncing back to find optimism on the other side. And once we realize that it is quite literally everyone who will face such pain and struggle—it gives us the common bond to connect with others at a much deeper level than we ever have before.

To be human is to struggle. By definition, that means it’s going to be really damn hard sometimes. But just as there is no beauty without the contrast of ugliness, there is no joy without suffering. Not the most meaningful kind anyhow.

I struggle every day. To write. To parent. To balance too many tasks. But it is comforting to know that I am one of many struggling today. And that every day of struggle helps to forge my character and get me slightly closer to who I can become.

That’s it for today but before you go… a few additions to your content diet.

Content Diet

Book: How to Get Rich - Felix Dennis
I’ve heard everyone from Tim Ferriss to David Senra recommend this one so I had to pick it up. Despite the ridiculous title, there are some great lessons for entrepreneurs in this entertaining (albeit sometimes crude) recounting of the rise to fame and fortune of UK magazine publisher Felix Dennis.

Podcast: Thoughts on ChatGPT - Cal Newport - Deep Questions
I’m a fan of author and Georgetown computer science professor, Cal Newport. If anyone was going to give a sober, realistic look at ChatGPT, it was going to be him. I learned a ton from this podcast. If you want to understand how this technology actually works (in layman’s terms), this is an excellent listen.

Twitter thread: My 15 Favorite Non-fiction books - Greg Campion
I’ve shared this here before but since Candice Millard has several on the list I thought I’d share it once more.

Last but not least… my full YouTube conversation with Candice. If you’re not already subscribed to my YouTube channel, what are you waiting for?

Okay, that’s really it. Thanks for reading. See you in two weeks!

Greg