elaine povich is with us now. she's author of "john mccain: american maverick." you for being with us. let's start with, this latest book is really about the pictures of john mccain. >> indeed. >> from when he was a boy to more recent photographs. and there's one that jumps out. it's a black-and-white photo, arms crossed there with a bit of a smirk and a header there that says "one hell of a ride." was that your summation or was that the way he looked at his life? >> that was the way he looked at his life. he really felt like nothing had been missed in his life. he had done everything that he wanted to do, that it was a hell of a ride, and the rest of us just got to hang on and go with him. >> and that ride took him all over the world. i know you've called him an ambassador for democracy. love of country and appreciation for democracy, they're not unique, but why did he believe that that responsibility took him to some of the darkest corners of the world? why did he have to go? >> because he believed american freedom and what we stood for in this country was impo