A Message to Garcia

Elbert Hubbard

About the Author

Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) was an American artist, philosopher, publisher, and writer. He is best remembered as the founding father of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York, a utopian society of the American Arts and Crafts movement. His popular essays and pamphlets contained messages about motivation, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency.

About the Book

“A Message to Garcia” is an essay Hubbard wrote in 1899. Originally published to help fill the March issue of “The Philistine” magazine, it quickly gained popularity.

This work tells the story of an American soldier, 1st Lt. Andrew S. Rowan, who was charged with delivering a message from President McKinley to General Calixto Garcia. Garcia was a leader of the Cuban insurgents during the Spanish-American War. Hubbard’s focus on Rowan’s perseverance and initiative made his work a highly motivational piece.

Summary

This short, classic essay highlights initiative, responsibility, and self-reliance. Its central themes are:

Initiative: Rowan accepts the task of delivering a critical message to General Garcia, who is stationed in a Cuban jungle. He does so without asking for detailed instructions or complaining about the challenges. He simply sets out to find Garcia and deliver the message.

Perseverance: Rowan’s resourcefulness and dedication helped him successfully complete the mission.

Responsibility: Hubbard uses Rowan’s story to highlight the value of taking responsibility. He often contrasts Rowan’s approach with reluctance and excuses from other characters who prefer to wait for detailed instructions or complain about obstacles rather than finding solutions.

Success: Personal and professional achievement comes from taking initiative and working diligently without needing constant supervision or direction. Hubbard argues that individuals demonstrating this quality are invaluable and can achieve great things.

Mindset: Hubbard convinces readers to adopt an attitude of proactive problem-solving and self-reliance. By taking responsibility and acting with initiative, individuals can contribute and stand out.

“A Message to Garcia” is a call to action for personal accountability. It advocates building the critical virtues of perseverance and self-motivation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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+ What is the book about?

“A Message to Garcia” highlights 1st Lt. Andrew S. Rowan’s initiative and diligence during the Spanish-American War, as he successfully delivers a vital message despite the challenges.

+ How long is the book?

The essay is just a few pages and approximately 1,500 words long.

+ Does the book have famous quotes?

"The world bestows its big prizes, both in money and honors, for but one thing. And that is initiative."

"There is a man whose form should be cast in deathless bronze and the statue placed in every college of the land. It is not book learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebra which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies, do a thing."

+ When was the book written?

It was written in a single evening in 1899 and published in March of the same year.

+ Are there different versions of the book?

This book has many different versions, including ones combined with other essays, illustrations, translated into other languages, and e-books.

+ What category does this book fall under?

You can find this book under the category Mindset Books to Read for Entrepreneurship.

+ Where can I get the book?

If you’re looking to add “A Message to Garcia” to your reading list, you can unlock this and many more titles with a Secrets of Success membership. By joining, you can start your journey today with an extensive variety of personal development resources.

+ What are similar books I can read?

"Acres of Diamonds" by Russell H. Conwell is similar to this text.