Leaders from both sides of American politics put duty to others ahead of their own career—and paid a price for it. At a time when trust in British politics has rarely been lower, these stories show what leadership can look like when it is built on service rather than self-interest.
From former U.S. Marine Corps officer and co-founder of the cross-party organisation With Honor, Courage Can Save Us is American, but the heart of the question reaches far beyond the United States: what does courageous leadership look like in democracies when compromise is punished, outrage is rewarded, and trust in public life is eroding?
The ten leaders in this book—five Democrats and five Republicans—carry an ethic of service into elected office and a commitment to work across party lines in the face of bitter divisions. These are not portraits of flawless heroes. They are stories of character tested in public life, and of a generation shaped by the years after 9/11 striving to rise above a culture of contempt. This is an examination of courage in its many forms—and a challenge to all of us to consider how courage can strengthen democracy as well as our own lives.

• Out: now from Head of Zeus
• Details: here
• Available to buy: here

Rye Barcott UK book events:

Courage on the Ballot: America, Britain and the Politics of Courage at the How to Academy
The day after the US midterms, Rye Barcott, Al Carns, and Anthony Scaramucci ask what the result means not just for the United States but for Britain and the Special Relationship.
Date: 4 November
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm
Location: John Lyon’s Theatre, City Lit, WC2B 4BA
Booking: here

IWM In Conversation: Damien Lewis & Rye Barcott at the Churchill War Rooms
Exploring courage through British and American stories of people who chose service when it came at a cost, from the battlefields and clandestine operations of the Second World War to political leadership and conflict today. There will be an opportunity to meet Rye and Damien, and have your books signed. Following the talk there will be time to explore the historic rooms at Churchill War Rooms.
Date: 6 November
Time: 6.30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Churchill War Rooms
Booking: here

Rye Barcott has kindly provided competition prizes for our 2026-27 A-Level essay competition run with the Schools Programme of the Financial Times. Below is a video of Rye, alongside Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) wishing competition entrants good luck.