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Annapolis Autumn: Life, Death, And Literature At The U.S. Naval Academy

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As a 1996 graduate of the Naval Academy, I stumbled upon a rich introspective experience in the pages of Annapolis Autumn. With the insightful objectivity of one who is both an insider and outsider on The Yard, Fleming paints the institution not only in the usual blacks, whites, blues and golds; but in a varied pallet that reveals volumes about USNA and, ultimately, about those of us who are products of its education. Whether the reader is affiliated with the Academy or not, he or she will find a fascinating portrait of an institution devoted (not necessarily in this order) to the most demanding standards of higher learning and to the service of a necessarily single-minded, self-assured, mission-oriented organization like the U.S. Navy.

Through a series of comparisons--Athens vs. Sparta, Classical vs. Romantic, St. John's College vs. USNA--Fleming seems to search for equilibrium. In this search, he treats the reader with many intriguing observations, such as the equally noble but ultimately irreconcilable goals of St. John's College to "...free men and women from the tyrannies of unexamined opinions and inherited prejudices," and those of USNA to "...imbue (midshipmen) with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty." Ultimately, however, his analysis of USNA does not force a conclusion or a solution on the reader. Instead, it makes us think, which appears to have been Fleming's constant two-decades' challenge as a professor. Annapolis Autumn shows us that literature, at the Naval Academy and elsewhere, is not simply a harmless "bull major" endeavor to throw the pale cast of thought over decidedly noble enterprises, but rather a means to help us understand who we are, what we serve, and what it's all about.

I am a graduate of USNA and this book is the best I've read yet on life at USNA. Dr. Fleming catches subtleties of the midshipman life that I suspect escaped even some of my fellow alumni. As one might expect from a man who holds a PhD in English, the prose is well done, very clean and exact, with a great flair for description. If anyone asks me what they should read to learn more about life at the 'Boat School' this will the be the first title out of my mouth.

In a few weeks I will be returning to the Naval Academy for my 30th Reunion. One of my friends and classmates, a mechanical engineering professor at the Academy, sugested that I read Bruce Fleming's "Annapolis Autumn."

Fleming is a contemporary of mine, 50ish. While I sat in the student desks of Sampson Hall, where he now teaches, he was attending classes at Haverford. After 20+ years of laboring in the halls of academia as it it practised at a service academy, he has some things to say.

I only hope that people listen.

The book is nearly schizophrenic. Some of Fleming's observations are pungently witty, acerbic insights into the hot house world of the Naval Academy. I laughed out loud. At other times I found myself closing the book, taking a deep breath, and forcing myself to think and confront his more serious thoughts.

Part III of the book is quite serious. In that section Fleming grapples with the Classical versus Romatic philosophical views of the Academy, as well as a disturbing introduction into the admissions policy. He relates, over the course of several chapters, a chilling episode where is asked by the academic dean to withdraw an opinion piece that he had submitted to the Washington Post in defense of a Supreme Court ruling that determined race should not be a factor in college admissions. As a tenured professor Fleming enjoyed a measure of legal, moral and ethical protection. But the unspoken threat becomes more powerful that a palpable one.

This is a book I would recommend without hestitation to anyone who has attended Annapolis or is considering attending. It goes without saying that those who are currently students would find the book enlightening. Fleming, better than any outsider, takes us behind the veneer of the spit and polish and the pomp and circumstance and into the inner world of midshipmen.

Of all my classes at the Academy, I remember the English classes the most. They remain in my memory an island among the ocean of science, engineering and naval warfare. Fleming reminds us that we are men, or women, first, then we are officers.

Bravo Zulu.

As a reviewer for the Baltimore Sun wrote, Mr. Fleming has a unique vantage point from which to view the Naval Academy. He has been on the inside for 20 years, at the same time--as a civilian professor--he will always be an outsider looking in. Much like de Toqueville who was able to provide extraodinary insight into what makes America 'America' because of being an outsider on the inside, Mr. Fleming is also able to peal back the layers of USNA to reveal a complicated reality. As a USNA alumnus and veteran of Mr. Fleming's classes, I can attest to how true many of his comments ring. This is a book for people who want to really know what it is like behind the gates.

Finally, a book about the Naval Academy which replaces the hype with the truth. The book is especially interesting to read as a midshipman, but will be enjoyed by all. As I read through Fleming's book I realized that although he is not, and never has been a midshipman, he knows just as much about being a midshipman as midshipmen do. By working so closely with midshipmen for almost twenty years he has gained more experiences and knowledge from the Academy than a mid could in four years. All that Fleming writes of in Annapolis Autumn is candidly very true. In fact, although we all call our bed sheet a blue magnet, none of us understand why. I was surprised to find out how the bed sheet earned its name while reading Fleming's book. I find myself laughing every few minutes as I read each chapter. Laughing at the truth of it all.
A Reef Points of Reality, Annapolis Autumn is a must read for anyone interested in or associated with the United States Naval Academy.

-Current Midshipman

Amidst many informative and entertaining pages about Annapolis, Prof. Fleming reveals two very shocking facts. One: About 50% of midshipmen do not meet the USNA minimum academic requirements, but are let in anyway, because of perceived needs in athletics and affirmative action. Two, clearly unqualified midshipmen, even those with serious psychological disablities, are allowed to graduate and assume potentially disastrous command positions because to prevent their graduation would reflect badly on the decision to admit them in the first place. Sounds like Catch 22, but it is unfortunately not fiction. There may be some broader social value in weighing factors other than character and ability in civilian schools, but in the military, I would think we would want the very best making command decisions, and not someone there for any other reason. When war is upon us, and lives are at stake, does anything else really matter?

Bruce Fleming has provided us with the literary equivalent of an impressionist painting - an emotional impression of his experiences as a partial insider at the Naval Academy. As the majority of the book concerns not actual events during his tenure, but instead his internal reactions to these events, a better title would be `My Annapolis Journey.' His work falls short largely through the lack of depth into the critical events that he attempted to chronicle, leading the reader to false conclusions. For example:

1. I attended Superintendent's call in which one of my classmates openly refuted the Admiral's statement that no football players were involved in the Electrical Engineering cheating scandal. After the Academy, I attended medical school with her and we discussed the incident in detail. She confronted the Admiral not only in an attempt `to do the right thing' (integrity) but also to protect her boyfriend (loyalty).

2. Bruce credits the `Striper' leadership of the brigade with asking for increased tightening of the regulations including the liberty and uniform policies. As a 4-striper on the brigade staff, I can tell you that we were caught as unaware as everyone else by the changes. Simply put, the admiral was untruthful in his assertion, either unintentionally (mistaken) or intentionally (lying).

3. I wrote a letter of support for the conscience objector mentioned at the end of the book, speaking of his integrity. He remains one of my closest friends today. Bruce fails to mention that the focal point of his objection to military service was recognition of contradiction with religious belief following 3 years of intensive graduate study into the nature of armed conflict.

While his skills in creative and descriptive writing are impressive, Bruce has allowed his assumptions to inappropriately direct his writing.

Hugh Dainer, Class of 1995

The "Annapolis Autumn" I read was written by Professor Bruce Fleming who has written 3 novels which have been favorably reviewed here and on the web. I read this book twice to make sure I got it right. As a grad, I enjoyed the indepth knowledge and ease the author uses the Navy language. I was treated to many memories due to the accuracy with which Dr. Fleming describes the yard activities. He in fact has spent more time on the yard at Annapolis than most of us who are alumni. I expected the book to be unfavorably received by some but if given a chance the book is very informative and entertaining. I am a product of the Annapolis educational system which has treated me very well over the past 4 decades. Prof. Fleming has now encouraged me to see education as a journey not just a destination. I too looked at my classes at Annapolis as hurdles to clear in order to obtain a favorable class ranking to obtain a favorable service selection. The system did teach me how to learn and for that I am eternally grateful. Dr. Fleming gives an honest and enjoyable tour of Annapolis and I recommend this book.

An interesting book. Despite his critics, Prof Fleming provokes some thought about the how and why of the Naval Academy, and in the process, he puts some interesting, fundamental questions out in the open. Is it enough that the Academy churns out Military officers? And if it were enough, why isn't it simply reduced to an extended Officer Training / Basic Training "curriculum"?

In an on-going period of "battle hardening," it is commendable for an "insider" to continue to challenge a notion of single-mindedness in the context of the Naval Academy curriculum. While there is a conservative / liberal pendulum that is currently (and clearly) leaning toward the conservative side, simply accepting that the curriculum (and training) "is what it is" only promotes (and exacerbates) the notion that there is a single solution for producing an Officer. A Military Commission mandates an Officer's fidelity to the Constitution and its principles. It is beneficial for the individual to understand the reasons why this is the case as well as what those principles are. Without that understanding, we could quickly diverge into the blind leading the blind (for an enlistment demands the individual's obligation to those Officers). While some of the criticisms have merit and deserve consideration, it is a good thing that Prof Fleming is able to cogently articulate his opinions and bring to light the necessity of the midshipmen's complete development - rather than adhere to a one size fits all, single solution.

While I'm still not sure I agree with all aspects of the book / Prof Fleming's thoughts (I plan to read it again), it is at least worth the discussion(s) necessary to see all sides of these arguments.
USNA '96

In Annapolis Autumn, Professor Bruce Fleming gives the reader a rare look into Naval Academy culture with dignity, humor, and occasionally, the kind of candor that makes the brass blush. Having been not only a student, but as well, a staff member at Annapolis, I can tell you that Fleming hits the nail on the head.

Fleming points out that while the US Naval Academy at Annapolis is a fine institution with a rich heritage, there are some glaring warts that could be easily removed, yet political pressure, stereotypes, and conformity all conspire to maintain a status quo beneath the brilliantly polished veneer. Considering the environment he operates, his courage in pointing out the proverbial emperor's new clothes is laudable, yet in my mind he has, without doubt, given something far more praiseworthy: the challenge of critical thought to his midshipmen - students who are indoctrinated daily into a military gung-ho dogma.

Annapolis Autumn is not an exposé and although Fleming is not a dissident, his opinion periodically takes exception with the administration's official stance. He encourages today's military leaders to consider facets of culture and society that might have otherwise in the past been merely academic. Fleming pushes midshipmen to think outside their Academy boxes and use their highly developed minds to be better people on the whole as well as the exceptional naval officers the Academy is famed to produce.

As an alumnus, I genuinely enjoyed Annapolis Autumn. As a free-thinking veteran, I applaud Bruce Fleming's willingness to speak his mind. Well written, eloquently supported, and easily digested, Fleming's book was a both a challenge and a pleasure.