I was not more than eight years old when I first heard about West Point, and then I was told that it was Uncle Sam's Military School; that the young men there were called cadets; that they were soldiers, and that they wore pretty uniforms with brass buttons on them. The impression made upon me at the time was such that I never tired talking and asking questions about West Point. I soon learned to indicate the site on the map, and I longed to go there, that I might be a cadet and wear brass buttons. I talked about it so much that my good mother made me a coat generous with brass buttons. I called it my cadet coat, and wore it constantly. Ah! for the day I should be a big boy and be a real cadet. With a wooden gun I played soldier, and when the war broke out and the soldiers camped in our old fair grounds, I was in their camp at every opportunity. The camp was about half-way between our home farm and father's store in town, and many is the time I have been scolded for being so much at the camp. My only regret at that time was that I was not old enough to enlist, for I loved to watch the drills and linger around the camp-fires, listening to stories of the war.

And narrative insight into the unique institution and the lives of its cadets. From athletic field to parade ground, from dormitory to classroom, from combat course to cadet chapel, every aspect of a cadet's daily routine is explored in Robert Stewart's kaleidoscope of colorful photographs. His book will bring back memories for graduates and help others gain a better understanding of the demands and rewards of Academy life. Although the focus is on today's West Point,

New York Times Bestseller: A “fascinating, funny and tremendously well written” chronicle of daily life at the US Military Academy (Time). In 1998, West Point made an unprecedented offer to Rolling Stone writer David Lipsky: Stay at the Academy as long as you like, go wherever you wish, talk to whomever you want, to discover why some of America’s most promising young people sacrifice so much to become cadets. Lipsky followed one cadet class into mess halls, barracks, classrooms, bars, and training exercises, from arrival through graduation. By telling their stories, he also examines the Academy as a reflection of our society: Are its principles of equality, patriotism, and honor quaint anachronisms or is it still, as Theodore Roosevelt called it, the most “absolutely American” institution? During an eventful four years in West Point’s history, Lipsky witnesses the arrival of TVs and phones in dorm rooms, the end of hazing, and innumerable other shifts in policy and practice. He uncovers previously unreported scandals and poignantly evokes the aftermath of September 11, when cadets must prepare to become officers in wartime. Lipsky also meets some extraordinary people: a former Eagle Scout who struggles with every facet of the program, from classwork to marching; a foul-mouthed party animal who hates the military and came to West Point to play football; a farm-raised kid who seems to be the perfect soldier, despite his affection for the early work of Georgia O’Keeffe; and an exquisitely turned-out female cadet who aspires to “a career in hair and nails” after the Army. The result is, in the words of David Brooks in the New York Times Book Review, “a superb description of modern military culture, and one of the most gripping accounts of university life I have read. . . . How teenagers get turned into leaders is not a simple story, but it is wonderfully told in this book.”

A graduate's captivating and hilarious stories that teach vital leadership lessons from the US military academy.

In 'Dick Prescott's Second Year at West Point. Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life' by H. Irving Hancock, readers are taken on a journey through the trials and tribulations faced by young cadet Dick Prescott during his second year at the prestigious military academy. The book is written in a straightforward and engaging style, suitable for young adult readers, with emphasis on the values of duty, honor, and self-discipline that are central to the military experience. Set in the early 20th century, the novel provides a glimpse into the rigorous training and camaraderie found at West Point, while exploring themes of perseverance and personal growth. Hancock's attention to detail and descriptive prose bring the academy and its inhabitants to life, making it an immersive reading experience. H. Irving Hancock, a prolific writer known for his military fiction, draws upon his own experiences to create a compelling narrative that sheds light on the realities of life as a cadet. Recommended for readers interested in historical fiction, military literature, and coming-of-age stories.

Established in 1802, the United States Military Academy at West Point is the oldest of the United States's service academies. Since the nearly 210 years of its existence, literally thousands of cadets have graced its halls. West Point has long been a leader in establishing traditions that have crept not only into the other service academies, but into colleges and universities throughout the United States. Traditions such as class rings, parades, rank structures, and its own lexicon have made USMA a model to emulate--and these are traditions that cadets must learn on the double. The life of a cadet is highly structured and full of pageantry. Pass in Review will be the first book to examine the lives of the cadets who earn their bars at West Point. Author Clyde Cocke and photographer Eilene Harkless Moore will collaborate to chronicle the uniforms, events, and traditions of cadet life at West Point. From dining in the Cadet Mess to strolling the Flirtation Walk to participating in Ring Weekend, readers will get an inside peek into the life of a cadet. West Point's Highlanders, the Pipes and Drums of the United States Corps of Cadets, will be featured, as will the unique West Point Tartan. Contemporary images will blend with seldom-seen artwork from the West Point Museum collection to provide a behind-the-scenes look into the life of USMA cadets.