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Ebook Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point, by David Lipsky

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Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point, by David Lipsky

Ebook Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point, by David Lipsky

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Amazon.com Review

Individuality would not seem to be a highly prized virtue at West Point. After all, new cadets arriving at the military academy are not required to pack anything more than a toothbrush and some underwear since they will be issued everything else. But despite their uniformity and disciplined bearing, the cadets profiled in David Lipsky's Absolutely American are still college kids who have moved away from their hometowns to figure out what to do with their lives. Lipsky was given unprecedented access at West Point and spent a full four years following a class from wide-eyed arrival through graduation. The most fascinating cadets are the ones who don't fit the gung-ho West Point stereotype. George Rash faces expulsion on a regular basis but persistently hangs in, "Huck" Finn just wants to play football but becomes more enamored of the military life than he ever expected, and Christi Cicerelle stays perfectly coiffed and, as she says, "girly," even while becoming a highly skilled soldier. Lipsky's tenure came at a pivotal time in the institution's history: hazing had recently been discontinued (part of a series of reforms referred to with both gravity and a little remorse as "The Changes") and the attacks of September 11, 2001 placed the United States in a war which the cadets would have to fight. The academy, in Lipsky's portrayal, demands much of its charges, its standards are high, and the possibility of being "separated" from West Point looms large for any cadet not up to par. Yet the cadets are shown as largely happy people, using the harsh demands of a West Point experience to find the kind of structure and purpose that other college students would envy. Lipsky, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, creates portraits that are, by turns, hilarious, touching, harrowing, disappointing and joyful. As his subjects finally graduate and launch their careers, readers may feel like a proud parent or friend standing in the crowd and cheering their accomplishments. --John Moe

From The New Yorker

In 1998, the commandants at West Point offered the author, a Rolling Stone reporter, unfettered access to their students. The result is a sunny portrait of a group of young men and women who, as one of them says, "don't quite fit in." Lipsky touches on some recent, controversial attempts at modernizing the academy—such as a ban on hazing and the promotion of "consideration of others" (which in the context of the Army could, in an "extreme instance," mean jumping on a grenade to save the lives of your fellow-soldiers)—but he is more effective as a chronicler of personality than of politics. A cadet defaces his uniform to protest softening standards; a bodybuilder worries that his future wife, following him from post to post, won't have a career; a football star fears life after graduation, wondering, "Can I think for myself?" Though initially ill-disposed toward the military, Lipsky eventually found that "of all the young people I'd met, the West Point cadets—although they are grand, epic complainers—were the happiest." Copyright © 2005 The New Yorker

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Product details

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; 1st Edition edition (July 4, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 061809542X

ISBN-13: 978-0618095421

Product Dimensions:

6.2 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches

Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review:

4.2 out of 5 stars

109 customer reviews

Amazon Best Sellers Rank:

#162,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

I've read "Absolutely American" a couple of times and it resonates each time. West Point is one of the world's most famous institutions and its graduates have had an enormous impact on American and world history. For that reason alone we should want to know who are the people that go there. Lipsky's book follows the Class of 2002's four years through West Point and also discusses the stories of some upperclassmen at the school and then later in the Army. You get to know these young people and know, as they only find out later in the book of course, that 9/11 is in their future and they are going to be sent to war.Lipsky does a good job of bringing out the stories and a couple of the students really stand out---"Huck" Finn, a football player who is initially not serious about the place but who ends up becoming a leader with unlimited potential. The other is George Rash who is regarded as a marginal cadet who is loathed by the professional military at the school who feel he shouldn't be there. But Rash takes every bit of abuse the place can throw at him and by the time he graduates is nearly a mythic figure to the class.

I nearly passed on this book because from the cover I got the impression that it was one person's account of their West Point experience, which was not what I was seeking. Instead, it is a well-written account authored by a professional journalist of the West Point experience. David Lipsky, a Rolling Stone writer, immersed himself at West Point for four years and had open access to the Academy. He produced a book that follows a few cadets throughout their journey at the Academy and into the beginning of their officer careers, and in doing so also was able to document the culture and lifestyle of West Point cadets at that time. It is a very interesting book that covers a time of change at the Academy, notably including the cadets' reaction to how September 11, 2001 will affect them. Everyday events are covered, as well as big events such as The Beast (new cadet's initial summer training) and graduation. I am glad I read the book, and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the unique aspect of American life the military academies offer.

I was in the Army in the 70's and reenlisted to specifically get stationed at West Point. At this time you had to be accepted on base by the Sgt Major, have no disciplinary action in your records etc. I was a 22 year old female being stationed where few other females were and in the area of thousands of healthy men! It's possibly my favorite duty station in my career. In my position I interacted with cadets, and officers daily. I made some great friends, some of them are still with me 40 years later. This was before women were appointed to the Academy. I learned a great deal from these men about their training, the hazing, and the codes. I kept the " Duty Honor Country " as my own motto even today. Before I was sent to another post ( 4 years later) my brother was admitted! Oh how I wanted to go after those who were hazing him!This book is great in explaining what the Point is, and how they create great officers. It's a unique opportunity and experience.

Loved it from start to finish. Hit almost all facets of cadet or midshipmen life at all the service academies. Great focus on all aspects of a cadet's military life from the Superintendent down to plebes. More emphasis was needed on the academic side of the equation was in order as this is the true "time consumer" of a cadet's life. It just isn't as glamorous of a topic to talk about.

The book begins by giving an understanding to the author's background. He grew up in such an anti-military family that his father swore he'd rather shoot his own son's leg than have him drafted (if it were reinstated). When Lipsky first arrives at West Point, he's completely convinced it will be an awful writing experience. However, it doesn't take long for him to become immersed in the culture and energy.The book is by no means a history lesson or West Point PR piece. It is a chronicle amongst the life of America's youth. West Point and an Army future is merely what these cadets have in common. Military and West Point lingo is addressed, but only for understanding.It was purely coincidental that Lipsky was at West Point during the September 11th attacks. That is perhaps the real turning point in the book. It is the catalyst that encourages many of the cadets to reevaluate their current stance. The writing goes from almost playful to somber within an eye blink... just as it did for all Americans.The epilogue was wonderful. I can't imagine reading the book without it. Basically, it offers a paragraph or two to each of the main characters. However... I wish it went further than a couple years. I'd love to read an updated epilogue.This isn't a history piece, it's a human one. What I appreciated the most is that the author doesn't attempt to sway us one or another politically... although its very clear he loves these cadets - that's the real message.

The title of this book comes from a quote by Theodore Roosevelt who said that "there is nothing more absolutely American" than our service academies. The author was given complete access to the cadets who came from so many varied backgrounds that it was amazing. The author followed a few of them over time after they graduated. It is a tribute to them, although the author was honest enough to recognize that he was not originally inclined that way.It is a great book about our country.

Another surprise gift for the grandson who is hoping to be accepted to West Point next year.

Fascinating look at pre 9/11 West Point Easy to put down and pick up. Would like to have follow up on so many

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