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    Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service
    Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service
    Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service
    Audiobook12 hours

    Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service

    Written by Gary Sinise and Marcus Brotherton

    Narrated by Gary Sinise

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Discover the moving, entertaining, never-before-told story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.

    As a kid in suburban Chicago, Gary Sinise was more interested in sports and rock 'n' roll than reading or schoolwork. But when he impulsively auditioned for a school production of West Side Story, he found his true purpose--or so it seemed.

    Within a few years, Gary and a handful of friends created what became one of the most exciting and important new theater companies in America. From its humble beginnings in a suburban Chicago church basement and eventual move into the city, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company launched a series of groundbreaking productions, igniting Gary's career along with those of John Malkovich, Joan Allen, Gary Cole, Laurie Metcalf, Jeff Perry, John Mahoney, and countless others.

    Television and film came calling soon after, and Gary starred in Of Mice and Men (which he also directed) and The Stand before taking the role that would change his life in unforeseeable ways: Lieutenant Dan in the Academy Award-winning Forrest Gump.

    The military community's embrace of the character of the disabled veteran was matched only by the depth of Gary's realization that America's defenders had not received all the honor, respect, and gratitude their sacrifices deserve. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, this became Gary's new calling.

    Grateful American, now a New York Times bestseller, documents Gary's dedication to working tirelessly on behalf of those who serve this country, sharing stories about how he has:

    • Entertained more than a half million troops around the world playing bass guitar with his Lt. Dan Band
    • Raised funds on behalf of veterans
    • Founded the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to serve and honor America's defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need

    Grateful American is the moving, entertaining, profoundly gripping story of how one man found his life's work: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.

    Praise for Grateful American:

    "Gary Sinise writes as he lives, and as the artist and actor he has always been: with American authenticity, purpose, and a conviction that is inseparable from his nature."

    --Tom Hanks, actor and filmmaker

    "No entertainer alive today has visited and performed more for our troops at veterans hospitals and military bases all over the world than Gary Sinise. For years his foundation has built 'smart homes' for our troops that were severely wounded in combat. The book is called Grateful American, and I promise that after you read it you will be grateful for what Gary has accomplished and contributed to our country. He's truly one of a kind."

    --Clint Eastwood, actor, director, producer, and musician

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateFeb 12, 2019
    ISBN9781400208142

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    Reviews for Grateful American

    4.5/5

    75 ratings13 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Loved the fact that there are people who can give back to our service men and women. Loved to learn about Gary and his charitable works. Excellent book.
    • 4/5
      Inspiring, heart wrenching. I Recommend for anyone who values freedom.
    • 5/5
      I've liked Gary Sinise since he grabbed my attention as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. I came to admire him through his work with military members and their families. So I jumped at the chance to read his book about his life journey up to now. His book did not disappoint - and in fact I came away with even more admiration for him, both in his public life of service (which is more extensive than I'd realized) and his private life. Full of stories about his public and private life, he tells his story with wit and humility. Highly recommended! (Note: I decided to both read and listen - he does a wonderful job narrating the audio version.)
      My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy for an unbiased review.
    • 4/5
      I wish I could tell Mr. Sinise in person how very much I appreciate the way he honors, supports, and cares for our arms forces. It was great reading about his journey.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this book!! I would give it 10 stars if I could. I have always liked Gary Sinise as an actor is movies like Forrest Gump and TV shows like CSI NY. I knew he did a lot of work to help veterans. My husband is a disabled vet so I always appreciate when celebrities with influence use that to help real heroes.I found the beginning of the book interesting as it describes Gary finding his passion in acting that passion would take him to being one of the founding members of the Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago. He goes on to describe how he met his wife, made the transition theater into movies while never forgetting his first love of live theater.He and his wife had several family members who were veterans so Gary Sinise always wanted to do what he could to help veterans. After playing wounded Vietnam vet, Lt. Dan, in Forrest Gump, Gary found a new connection to veterans who found the character so relatable. Over the past 25 years or so, Gary Sinise has taken every opportunity he can to give back to our active-duty military members and veterans. He has gone on numerous USO tours, held fundraisers, built memorials, built homes for severely wounded veterans, etc. Where there was a need, he found new ways to meet that need.This book stirred many emotions in me and it should be viewed as a call to action for all Americans. Our freedom is not free and we should help our military and first responders in any way we can through donating our time and our money. Even a simple thank you goes a long way.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
    • 5/5
      “The nation which forgets it defenders will be itself forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge

      Gary Sinise, an Oscar nominated actor for his supporting role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 blockbuster “Forrest Gump”, has also appeared in other big screen roles such as Apollo 13, Ransom, Reindeer Games, Mission to Mars, and Of Mice and Men which he also directed.

      He has also appeared in the TV movie George Wallace for which he won the CableACE Award (best actor), SAG (best actor), and an Emmy (best actor).

      His first starring TV role was as Detective Mac Taylor in CSI: New York from 2004-2013. He also starred in Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

      This book details Gary’s life from his youth in Chicago, to the founding of the Steppenwolf Theater Company, to directing, to acting, his passion and advocacy for those who serve our country, as well as forming the Gary Sinise Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to honor the defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. (Some text taken from the website).

      This isn’t just a book about his life before his acting career; instead this book is a compelling story of how a young man with no goals in his early years stepped up to become a man on a mission – to make a difference in the lives of those who serve us. The sacrifices made, the differences made, the journey along the way.

      With sincerity, and sometimes humor-infused story-telling, Gary recounts the events of his youth, his marriage, his children, and his acting career. He includes the good and not so good sides of his own personal life and marriage. His admiration of his wife through her heart-breaking struggles is refreshing and honest, if not downright inspiring.

      He recounts the military histories of not only his family, but his wife Moira’s own family. It is through these connections, along with his faith, that his dedication to our military and first responders has strengthened.

      But, it wasn’t always that way, and he is quick to point that out with honesty and candor along the way.

      Gary, the oldest of three children, had a rather turbulent and misdirected youth. Not having a real interest in school work, he did poorly as a student. However after acting in a high school production of “West Side Story”, Gary found his calling as an actor. But, it would be a few decades before he would be able to see success as an actor.

      In 1974, Gary, along with two classmates – Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry (Nash Bridges, 1997-2001) founded The Steppenwolf Theater Company.

      Despite its success today, the theater didn’t see success right away, at one point it was even broke. Gary details some of the good, bad, and even humorous tales of its origins and productions. He even recounts how an unpopular decision became a turning point in the theater’s success and recognition.

      From the theater’s origins in a church basement to its current location on Halsted Road, it has not only launched the careers of several notable actors – John Malkovich, Laurie Metcalf, Gary Cole, Dennis Farina, and others – but it has gone on to produce plays in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and London. The company has even won a Tony Award for its presentation of The Grapes of Wrath proving that sometimes an unpopular decision can sometimes work out to an unforeseen advantage and/or success.

      Gary moved from the theater to directing films and television shows. Some works include Crime Story, China Beach, and Of Mice and Men, the latter he also starred in and his father edited.

      In 1981, Gary Sinise married fellow Steppenwolf performer Moira Harris. They have three children: Sophie (b.1988), Mac (b.1990), and Ella (b.1992). And, as of 2017 – they have a granddaughter (Moira).

      But, despite some encouragement from a well known producer, directing isn’t what Gary Sinise wanted to do. He wanted to act.

      It wouldn’t be until the 1994 blockbuster Forrest Gump when he’d start gaining recognition as an actor. The role of “Lt. Dan” became more than an Oscar-nominated supporting role though. It resonated with disabled veterans, Vietnam vets, and inspired service members. Lt. Dan’s struggles were not some Hollywood construct – but instead actual struggles. Gary’s positive performance re-ignited recognition of their plight, especially after Vietnam. After being recognized and honored for his portrayal, it inspired Gary to do more to honor our military and thank them for their service.

      Instead of walking away from that role and shun the typecasting, he later used it to propel his own mission forward, starting with USO handshake tours, moving up to performing for troops.

      But, even after “Forrest Gump”, Gary had other roles – though none as compelling as Lt. Dan. In the midst of personal achievements, there were also personal heartbreaks. Still, he forged ahead in his acting career.

      It wasn’t until 9/11 that everything changed and “Lt. Dan” was recalled to active duty. This time he wouldn’t be fighting a war – he’d be providing moral support and encouragement for the troops.

      The character’s name eventually became the name of Gary Sinse’s band formed in 2003 (not named until 2004) – the “Lt. Dan Band” had one sole focus – the troops – to entertain them, give them messages of love and support from home, and our gratitude for their tireless efforts. As Gary details in his book, this cover/tribute band was founded solely for the troops and since that time has played more than 400 shows between domestic military bases to overseas.

      This book, while sometimes disjointed in the chronology, is written to educate and entertain – two of the primary goals of his foundation. But, it also serves as an inspiration – a call to duty to champion the cause of our crusaders – military, fire fighters, police, and EMTs. Our real heroes, their challenges – how we as civilians can give back, how we can express our gratitude.

      Gary talks about the people he’s met along the way, the challenges they face; how 9/11 re-shaped and forever changed our own mindsets, even his own – and his goal along the way got bigger and bigger.

      His travels to South Korea and the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) are also heart-wrenching, a stark difference between freedom and tyranny separated by a line. A line many of us will never know.

      And, timing has also played a crucial role in Gary’s life.

      By taking a TV role on CBS’ CSI: NY, Gary not only found financial stability for his family, but it would allow him to continue his work for the troops. Spoiler – it’s no accident the character Detective Mac Taylor has the same last name as Lt. Dan.

      For nine seasons, 2004-2013, while viewers tuned in to see 9/11 family member and former Marine Detective Mac Taylor on CSI: NY, Gary also toured with the USO, and spread messages of support and gratitude . He also, slowly, built the seeds for the foundation, which started in his office on the CBS Studio lot.

      This is book is not only the story of the origins of an actor, the chairman of a foundation – but one man’s dream, his mission – to make a difference – to make sure our nation’s heroes are never forgotten.

      “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Regan

      And, through his work and now this book, Gary makes us aware of how precious that gift is – who we have to thank – and how much more work is needed to be done.

      I found myself in tears on more than one occasion, and I do recommend keeping a few tissues handy. I also laughed in certain places. But, this was, as I was telling on my social media accounts while I read it – an inspiring, emotionally engaging, heart-breaking, and compelling read.

      Autobiographies and biographies are not my genre – but this is a must read. “Grateful American – From Self to Service” is appropriately titled.

      I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. I am also part of the “Launch Team” for this book.
    • 5/5
      What a wonderful book to read (or even better.... listen to). There were many parts of this biography that resonated tremendously with me. The candid way Mr. Sinise described his family's struggle with his wife's alcohol dependency hit very close to my own family's struggle with my mother's fight with this drug!Also as the wife of a now retired military member I felt like many of the things Mr. Sinise described could have been told by my husband.
    • 5/5
      I've always liked Gary Sinise's acting, but after reading this I admire his dedication to the armed forces. He volunteers much of his time visiting, encouraging and raising money for veterans. He lays out his story, from a kid without much direction to an outstanding actor and director, not glossing over the hard times. A very well written and engaging book.
    • 4/5
      Very interesting read of how patriotism grew within this man and spurred him on to great philanthropy and entertainment for our military (past and present) and first responders.
    • 4/5
      Very inspiring book about an exceptional man. I see Gary Sinise in a similar light to Mike Rowe--men who used their celebrity status for good and encouraging others to do the same.
    • 5/5
      An inspiring story of the incredible power generated when a willingness to act is married with a simple thank you.
    • 5/5
      We keep looking for heroes and calling people heroes who end up being deeply flawed. Gary Sinise is a true hero for our modern times. He gives not only his money but he gives his time to America's military and first responders -- to them and to their families. This book is Gary's life - how he turned around from being a troubled young man in Chicago to being an award winning actor and humanitarian. You don't want to miss it!
    • 5/5
      “Grateful American” is the captivating story of well-known and respected actor Gary Sinise, from his teen-age days of sports and rock-and-roll, to the founding of the legendary Steppenwolf theater company, to his respected career on stage and screen. These events led him to the role of Lieutenant Dan Taylor in “Forrest Gump” and to the realization that those brave defenders of America hadn’t received the honor, respect, and gratitude their sacrifices deserved. In the aftermath of September 11th, the Gary Sinise Foundation was born with a mission to serve and honor these brave defenders of freedom as well as first responders, their families, and those in need. “Grateful American,” with several pages of accompanying photographs, is the story of a man, a mission, and a calling to thank . . . and never forget . . . those who defend America and its freedoms.A Barnes and Noble special edition of this book includes a letter from the author and three postcards that readers can use to send a note of appreciation to a military member, a veteran, or a first responder.Highly recommended.