Capitol bore.

• Author: Malanowski, Jamie
• Position: Worth the Fighting For: A Memoir - Book Review

WORTH THE FIGHTING FOR: A Memoir by John McCain, with Mark Salter Random House, $25.95

FIRST BOOKS ARE EASY; sequels are hard. Three years ago, Sen. John McCain, strengthened by the hand of his aide Mark Salter, wrote Faith of My Fathers, a memoir of his years in military service. Ix was terrific. McCain told the story of his upbringing, his education at Annapolis, his service as a Navy pilot, and his horrible incarceration as a prisoner of war. Combining this with recollections of his father and grandfather, both distinguished four-star admirals, it presented the moving story of an independent, somewhat rebellious young man recognizing at the lowest ebb in his life the value of the tremendous legacy of honor and service that has been passed onto him.

McCain's new book, again written with Salter's help, is Worth The Fighting For. Sad to say, it does not quite measure up to its predecessor. The reason is obvious, and beyond his control: He simply doesn't have as good a story to tell. This book is about his service in government. Rare indeed is the political experience that is the dramatic peer of surviving the Hanoi Hilton.

But a leading senator's account of his 20-odd years in Congress--that should still be good, right? Unfortunately, not that good. McCain in this book is discreet and generous and ostentatiously fair-minded. These are admirable qualities in a leader, but less valuable to a memoirist. McCain criticizes the congressional big spenders who sneak pork-barrel appropriations into legislation, but names no names. He says nice things about Mitch McConnell. He compliments President Bush. He many, many times refers to heated discussions with people, and to outbursts of temper that have come back to haunt him, but he never goes back to the videotape. Whatever returns to haunt McCain in the future isn't going to be anything written here. McCain speaks about pretty nearly everyone with at least the same faint, proper warmth that in-laws manage to summon for one another at wedding rehearsal dinners and post-funeral receptions. Only once in these nearly 400 pages does McCain threaten to break out, after the two or so pages in which he brings a barely concealed disdain upon defense secretary McNamara's lately recorded regrets about Vietnam. But McCain stops before his contempt can fully flower. Too bad. I bet seeing one of McCain's eruptions is captivating, if viewed at a safe remove.

Won't McCain fans find a few good battles where their...