Other editions of book A Message to Garcia

Elbert Hubbard's classic 1899 essay, delivers the message that the real hero is the man who does his work well and without question -- the man who carries the message to Garcia. The essay is based on the true story of young Lieutenant Andrew Summers Rowan, who at the time of the Spanish-American War was sent to Cuba alone to carry out a difficult mission, which he did with ''sheer courage and indomitable spirit.''64-page hardcover edition with dust jacket.Illustrations by Jeff Hill.4-1/2'' wide by 7-1/2'' high.

A Message to Garcia is one of the most widely read inspirational stories of all time. Since it's publication it has sold more than 40 million copies. This is the touching story of an American soldier who must get a message through enemy lines to General Garcia. The lessons contained within it have changed the lives of countless people. Prepare to be inspired. This edition also contains Life in Abundance and The Mintage. Wilder Publications is a green publisher. All of our books are printed to order. This reduces waste and helps us keep prices low while greatly reducing our impact on the environment.

Reading and discussing Hubbard's small classic, "A Message to Garcia" should be a pre-requisite for anyone about to work anywhere for a boss. Much is written about leaders, and this book helps to fill the huge gap in what is written for and about followers. The few minutes it takes to read this book could change the rest of your life. I first read it back in 1985 and I re-read it frequently. Hubbard's inspiration for his "preachment" was an obscure but important event in the 1898 Spanish-American War. President McKinley needed someone to quickly deliver a message to an insurgent general somewhere in the jungles of Cuba. An army officer was recommended and McKinley personally handed the message to this officer with the mission to deliver the "message to Garcia." This officer's unhesitating acceptance of his mission with no superfluous questions and his subsequent completion of the mission is Hubbard's definition of an invaluable subordinate. Hubbard's lessons of initiative (doing the right thing without being told) and loyalty to yourself, your boss, and your organization (doing the right thing when told only once) are timeless and well told. Hubbard spoke to all leaders and subordinates when he wrote, "It is not book-learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies: do the thing – ‘Carry a message to Garcia.’"

In Hubbard's booklet lies the secret of service. It sounds simple, but so few people are able to swallow their giant egos to do it. Using the true story of a messenger in the Spanish-American War as an example, Hubbard teaches this lesson: when a superior asks you to do something -- no matter how difficult or crazy or impossible it may sound -- just go get it done. Hubbard reminds that, in a society where authority is too often degraded, conformity can be good. The message of Hubbard's commentary on Col. Rowan's mission is not to do what you are told without question, but to think for yourself. What Col. Rowan did was amazing. He was asked to carry a message from President McKinley to an insurgent leader in Cuba named Garcia. This was leading up to the Spanish-American War and Cuba was hostile territory. If captured, Rowan would be shot by the Spanish. What you now know about Rowan's mission is what he knew at the time he took it up. And he succeeded! Hubbard's lament is that all employees are not more like Col. Rowan.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This tale of a soldier’s self-reliance during the Spanish American War is history’s greatest motivational lesson, now collected with Elbert Hubbard’s most treasured inspirational works. A Message to Garcia touched so profound a chord in readers that, after its publication in 1899, it became one of the most widely read works in human history. A Message to Garcia tells the story of an American soldier charged with delivering a critical message to a leader of Cuban rebel forces during the Spanish American War. In Hubbard’s account, he delivered the urgent missive with no questions asked, no complaining, and no hedging. The enduring and almost unbelievably simple message of the essay is this: When asked to perform a task, don’t ask How...? or Why...? or Wouldn’t it be better if,/I . . . ? Just do it—and you will become more valued and respected than you ever imagined possible.

This edition includes 10 illustrations. Though it was published over 100 years ago and it clocks in just under 1500 words, Elbert Hubbard’s A Message to Garcia is perhaps one of the most famous and inspirational works within the motivational/self-help genre. It is even more notable for that fact that what was merely a filler essay, written in haste to take up space in The Philistine’s March 1899 issue, became a cultural sensation, spawning two film adaptations, providing the inspiration for the saying “to take a message to Garcia,” and even enjoying great popularity in the business and military fields of the 21st century.

Before becoming the basis for two motion pictures, A Message to Garcia was written as an inspirational essay by Elbert Hubbard. This popular work is about a soldier who takes the initiative to accomplish a daunting and difficult task without questions or objections and graciously accomplishes the task. Often used in business and life as a motivational example to readers of applying a positive attitude towards achieving a successful life.

American writer, philosopher, publisher, and artist, Elbert Hubbard, founded the Roycroft Arts and Crafts community in East Aurora, New York. Hubbard set up a small printing shop next to his family home, where he began printing “The Philistine” magazine. The publication, quite popular in its time, was filled with Hubbard’s sardonic wit, satire and often controversial commentary. An 1899 edition of the magazine included “A Message to Garcia”, an inspirational essay celebrating the initiative of Major Andrew Rowan during the Spanish-American War. Hubbard remarked that the essay was written after a discussion with his son Bert about the heroism of Officer Rowan, and what was originally intended as a filler piece for the magazine quickly became an iconic piece of American literature. The essay has been reprinted and translated many times, has inspired screen adaptations, and was given to every U.S. Navy enlistee and U.S. Marine in both world wars. A self described anarchist and socialist, Hubbard believed passionately in freedom in every avenue of life. Along with “A Message to Garcia” fourteen additional essays are included in this representative selection of Hubbard’s works.