Message to Garcia
Book: A Message to Garcia
Author: Elbert Hubbard Introduction: A Message to Garcia is an inspirational essay written by Elbert Hubbard. It was originally published as a filler without a title in the March, 1899 issue of the Philistine magazine which he edited, but was quickly reprinted as a pamphlet and what some see as a handbook. It was very popular, selling over 40 million copies, and being translated into over 30 languages.
Body: The essay, or book celebrates the initiative of a soldier who is assigned and accomplishes a daunting mission. He asks no questions, makes no objections, requests no help, but accomplishes the mission. The essay pushes the reader to apply this attitude to his own life as an path 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. It was given to every U.S. Navy enlistee and U.S. Marine in both world wars, and often memorized by schoolchildren. It is studied by plebes at the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. A copy of it is often given to Marine Non-Commissioned Officers upon their promotion. It is estimated to be one of the highest-selling books in history, essentially due to American employers purchasing copies in bulk to distribute to their employees. The historical setting of the essay was the onset of the Spanish-American War in 1898. As the American army prepared to invade the Spanish colony of Cuba, they wished to contact the leader of the Cuban insurgents who controlled the plains of the Cauto to coordinate or at least prevent conflicting strategies. This was Calixto García e Iñiguez, who had been fighting the Spanish for Cuban independence since the Ten Years' War of 1868–78, and sought the help of the United States. He was then residing in the city of Bayamo. The American officer was
Author: Elbert Hubbard Introduction: A Message to Garcia is an inspirational essay written by Elbert Hubbard. It was originally published as a filler without a title in the March, 1899 issue of the Philistine magazine which he edited, but was quickly reprinted as a pamphlet and what some see as a handbook. It was very popular, selling over 40 million copies, and being translated into over 30 languages.
Body: The essay, or book celebrates the initiative of a soldier who is assigned and accomplishes a daunting mission. He asks no questions, makes no objections, requests no help, but accomplishes the mission. The essay pushes the reader to apply this attitude to his own life as an path 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. It was given to every U.S. Navy enlistee and U.S. Marine in both world wars, and often memorized by schoolchildren. It is studied by plebes at the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. A copy of it is often given to Marine Non-Commissioned Officers upon their promotion. It is estimated to be one of the highest-selling books in history, essentially due to American employers purchasing copies in bulk to distribute to their employees. The historical setting of the essay was the onset of the Spanish-American War in 1898. As the American army prepared to invade the Spanish colony of Cuba, they wished to contact the leader of the Cuban insurgents who controlled the plains of the Cauto to coordinate or at least prevent conflicting strategies. This was Calixto García e Iñiguez, who had been fighting the Spanish for Cuban independence since the Ten Years' War of 1868–78, and sought the help of the United States. He was then residing in the city of Bayamo. The American officer was