Books with title A Message to Garcia and Other Works

A Message to Garcia is a widely distributed essay written by Elbert Hubbard in 1899.Hubbard was inspired by a daring escapade performed by an American soldier, 1st Lt. Andrew S. Rowan, just prior to the Spanish–American War. According to Hubbard, Rowan carried a message from President William McKinley to "Gen. Calixto García, a leader of the Cuban insurgents somewhere in the mountain fastness of Cuba—no one knew where." Hubbard compared Rowan's heroic effort to "the imbecility of the average man—the inability or unwillingness to concentrate on a thing and do it."

A Message to Garcia is a widely distributed essay written by Elbert Hubbard in 1899, expressing the value of individual initiative and conscientiousness in work. As its primary example, the essay uses a dramatized version of a daring escapade performed by an American soldier, 1st Lt. Andrew S. Rowan, just prior to the Spanish–American War. The essay describes Rowan carrying a message from President William McKinley to "Gen. Calixto García, a leader of the Cuban insurgents somewhere in the mountain vastness of Cuba—no one knew where". The essay contrasts Rowan's self-driven effort against "the imbecility of the average man—the inability or unwillingness to concentrate on a thing and do it".

This essay celebrates the initiative of a soldier who is assigned to and accomplishes a daunting mission. He asks no questions, makes no objections, requests no help, but accomplishes the mission. The essay exhorts the reader to apply this attitude to his own life as an avenue to success. Its wide popularity reflected the general appeal of self-reliance and energetic problem-solving in American culture. Its "don't ask questions, get the job done" message was often used by business leaders as a motivational message to their employees.

A byword for initiative and determination, A Message to Garcia recounts a soldier's unquestioning acceptance and fulfillment of his orders. Set in the days of mounting tension between the United States and Spain that would soon culminate in the Spanish-American War, it recounts President William McKinley's wish to communicate with Calixto Garcia, a commander of the Cuban rebels. An able young lieutenant is chosen to deliver the vital dispatch, and his mission becomes an imperishable tale of courage, initiative, and resourcefulness.Except — there was no message from McKinley, and the brave soldier was actually a bungling spy. But the press of 1899 didn't allow the truth to stand in the way of a compelling story, and author Elbert Hubbard's dramatic fiction satisfied the public appetite for a heroic narrative during the buildup to the war. The inspirational legend remains essential reading for motivational speakers, business executives, and military officers as well as trainers and participants in workshops on leadership. This edition also features other examples of Hubbard's charming brand of homespun American philosophy and can-do spirit, including fourteen additional essays, thirty-two contemplations, and Helpful Hints for Business Helpers, which Hubbard wrote under the name Fra Elbertus.

History's Greatest Motivational Lesson is Now in a Definitive Edition with Gems of Wisdom from Elbert Hubbard This remarkably concise, powerful statement on what makes a person successful remains as relevant today as when it was written more than a century ago. If you take seriously the principle of Elbert Hubbard's A Message to Garcia, you will become the indispensible, productive, successful, and respected person you have always wished to be. All that is required is for you to "carry a message to Garcia"-which means to do a job simply as it should be done. Discover for yourself the incredible power hidden in this simple step. This edition of A Message to Garcia surpasses other volumes because it includes short passages of life-advice from Hubbard, which elucidate his message and demonstrate how to put it into action. Selected and introduced by PEN Award-winning historian Mitch Horowitz, this slender volume offers a life-changing journey into a single idea that can make all the difference in your earning power, effectiveness, and success.

This book tells that in the Spanish-American War of the 19th century, a message with strategic significance of America needed to be sent to the Cuba allied general Garcia. However, Garcia was fighting in the jungle and no one knew where he was. At this time, the young lieutenant Rowan, didnt ask for any benefits and took the task. He experienced all kinds of hardships and walked three weeks, passing through the crisis-ridden country to bring the message to Garcia.