Customer Reviews

In the Company of Men: A Woman at the Citadel

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

To prove that much of what Ms. Mace states in her book is true, I, as a male cadet, waited until I was on a break at home to read her book. Being the son of a mother who graduated from a military academy, I entered this institution with a much different perspective than most incoming cadets. What I have seen and experienced over the years has blown my mind.

Nancy Mace's book does exaggerate a few things, here and there.. and as the other alum wrote, she does write about stories that are 100% common to every knob's experience (in other words, not unique to her trials).. but still, being one of the first women at this school had to be an experience unlike anything that any normal person could imagine. Whether other, narrow-minded, disgruntled old grads want to admit it, or not, Nancy Mace DID do something special...something that no other person had accomplished. Her story needed to be told, and was done so in an extremely easy-to-read, and frank fassion.

I have followed the progression of women entering The Citadel since Shannon Faulkner made her futile attempt several years ago. I read the book, cover to cover, over the course of two days, primarily because I was unable to put it down. I found it to be a funny, insightful, and honest look at the author's ground breaking role at The Citadel. The book is definitely designed for younger women, I would say ages 16-25, as it is written informally with slang and other verbiage typical of that age group. It is an easy read that forces the reader to want to get to the next funny incident or personal story about the author's father, General James Mace. The only downside to the book that I found is that I am unable to let my 12 year-old daughter read it because of the language that is interspersed throughout the story. A thank you to Nancy for giving us a fair account of her experience at The Citadel. This is not a "male bashing" story or an opportunity for the author to gloat over her accomplishment. It is a true story of sheer determination and will-power. This kind of book is missing from the "Teen Book Section" in book stores and libraries, that are typically loaded with biographies about Brittney Spears and books about hair care. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Having just completed Philippa Strum's Women in the Barracks: The VMI Case and Equal Rights about the court cases leading to the "assimilation" of women into the Virginia Military Institute, I was eager to look at the story's next chapter and dive into Nancy Mace's account of her time at The Citadel (it was VMI's defeat in the Supreme Court that prompted The Citadel to admit women like Mace). With some of the caveats noted by other reviewers -- notably that the book skips over two-thirds of her time at the school -- I found this a very worthwhile read.

I don't often get into "juvenile literature," which is how this book is categorized. In fact, the last such book I read was Battle Dress, Amy Efaw's fictionalized account of her first year at the US Military Academy, a title to which "In the Company of Men" bears certain obvious similarities. Some of the things other reviewers have considered lacking in this book -- insufficient legal context, not enough sociological analysis -- can, I think, be explained by looking at for whom Mace was writing. Having read Strum and Brodie about VMI, as well as Catherine Manegold's tendentious In Glory's Shadow: The Citadel, Shannon Faulkner, and a Changing America, I too hope to see some of these issues addressed first-person on an adult level. But that's not to take anything away from this book.

Nancy Mace's story is well written and inspirational. And though I understood the strong feelings and resentments many of The Citadel's alumni and friends bore about the (inevitable, in my opinion) decision to admit women, I was still shocked by the vehemence of the abuse she received -- especially from "the wealthy Charleston women who formed the backbone of Citadel social support," known as South of Broads (referring to Broad Street), or SOBs. Mace considers the abbreviation apt, and I can't say I disagree with her. Similarly, the drunken alumnus who took it upon himself to personally berate Mace at every Citadel football game should be shamed into repentance and seclusion by her portrait of him (though I suspect he still considers himself a hero).

At the same time, there's also a lot of humor in this story, as well as touching comradeship with (some of) her fellow cadets and a deep and reciprocated love for her parents. Mace may not address the larger question of why a young woman (or, for that matter, a young man) might want to attend The Citadel, but it's clear why *she* did: she loved her father, and she loves the school. I'd been looking for some time for a book that details the life and experience of a cadet at VMI or The Citadel, and here at last is that portrait. It's moving, challenging, and its target audience should, I hope, find it inspirational. I commend the author for writing the book, but more importantly for her determination to confront the challenges and emerge on top.

Nearly the entire book covers first semester of Nancy Mace's freshman year. This is the only book in print that accurately and fairly portrays The Citadel plebe system - the good, the bad, the ugly. Of course, it is concerned to a great degree with her experience as one of the first four woman in a place where many didn't want her. Things were made much tougher for her by having rotten roommate and a father who came in as an unpopular Commandant during her second semester.

When Ms. Mace reports an upper-classman in her cadre letting her know he wanted her out, she later reports the cadet becoming her strongest supporter behind the scenes, after observing her good attitude and abilities. Unfortunately, several book reviews report only the initial threats, and miss the point, that the cadre was harsh and seemingly unreasonable at the time, but when anything was seriously wrong (e.g., getting ill, or out-of-line harassment from non-cadre cadets), they would look out for her, carrying out their duties in a professional manner. Also, that they ultimately reacted to her attitude of trying hard, rather than their own views on coeducation.

The book skips most of her last two years, picking up just a few incidents of senior year - receiving her ring, Ring Hop, and graduation ceremony.

The target audience appears to be high school students who are thinking about choosing a college. The book will warn off those who would not like The Citadel, and attract those who wish to prove that they can hack it. She certainly lays out the difficulties, but also the pride and tight friendships that result from the plebe system. It shows that knob year is difficult and frustrating, but achievable by a typical 18-year-old who puts out maximum effort.

She also emphasizes that the military system is within an highly rated small college, with the normal academic expectations after a first couple of weeks of pure plebe training. She takes full advantage of special programs for ADD and small classes.

Because "In the Company of Men" was written for the high school age group, it's a quick read in simple conversational English.

This book superbly demonstrates what life can be like for a female at a military college. I would highly recommend this book to anyone (male or female) interested in attending a military college/academy whether it is The Citadel, USMA, USNA, or USAFA. The stories told throughout the book are relevant to each of the academies as well as other military colleges. It captures the spirit, comraderie, and challenges inherent to military colleges. It will prepare a young adult for the "unknown" trials they will face upon entering one of these schools. Additionally, adults who have had this experience will find humor in the stories related.

In 1999 Nancy Mace became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, a military academy in Charleston, SC. The Citadel is steeped in tradition --- a tradition that included a men-only admissions policy until a court order forced the school to admit a woman in 1995. That woman, Shannon Faulkner, lasted only one week. When her turn came, Mace was determined to make it to graduation. IN THE COMPANY OF MEN: A Woman at The Citadel tells her story bluntly and honestly.

Most of IN THE COMPANY OF MEN details Mace's first semester at The Citadel. Freshman year is the most challenging year at The Citadel --- which is saying a lot since no year there is a walk in the park. Freshmen at The Citadel are referred to as "knobs" --- a reference to their shaved heads --- and are forced to live under the "fourth class system," which greatly restricts their freedom and allows upperclassmen to make their lives miserable in a variety of ways. The year is difficult for all who enter The Citadel, but for Mace and the three women who entered the school with her, the challenge was infinitely increased.

The school, its administration, students, and backers were all faced with hard questions. How short should a woman's hair be cut? What sizes do the uniforms need to be? How do you deal with a soldier who menstruates? How do you keep women knobs safe in an atmosphere where they are resented by their classmates, by upperclassmen, by alumni, and --- most oddly --- by the wives and girlfriends of Citadel students past and present? None of these questions were hypothetical for Mace. As she addresses them in her book, she does a fine job relating not only the actual occurrences, but her own emotions. She does not shy away from the feelings of helplessness that sometimes threatened to overwhelm her; nor does she turn her tale into a list of grievances for wrongs suffered, as she finds humor in many situations that may not have seemed funny at the time.

Mace's story of perseverance, both mental and physical, is inspiring. IN THE COMPANY OF MEN is not, however, a prettified tale of adversity overcome. Mace's language is direct and occasionally peppered with obscenities, and her assessments of her classmates, instructors, and the upperclassmen are unyielding --- as is her assessment of herself throughout the book.

Mace spends some pages detailing her second semester at The Citadel, including a moving description of the final challenges a knob faces before being released from the "fourth class system." The two years leading up to her graduation are summarized too briefly. A more complete description of her life as an upperclassmen --- during which knobs were subject to her whims --- would have been interesting and would have provided a better transition to the graduation scenes that end the book. Nevertheless, IN THE COMPANY OF MEN is a fascinating look at The Citadel and at the kind of person who can make it from knob to Citadel graduate.

--- Reviewed by Rob Cline (rjbcline@aol.com)

By Emma

Before reading In the Company of Men, I disliked all biographies and autobiographies, but while reading about Nancy Mace's life, my opinion changed. This autobiography is a funny, touching, and compelling true story about the first women to graduate from the Citadel, a strict military collage with much discipline and hazing. This is a great book, mainly for girls and women, that realizes how hard it was when men were considered superior. It gives the important message that even though the world will always be filled with mean and hurtful people, it is possible to accomplish anything, even the impossible. That is what Nancy Mace did; she was the first woman ever to graduate from the Citadel, something that seemed impossible for women before her. All females should read this book, even if they aren't interested in the military. This is a terrific autobiography!

I was very reluctant to purchase this book. I heard that Nancy Mace was the daughter of one of the schools top alumnus and one of the faculty staff. So I thought that the book would be a Citadel Love in.

It wasn't.

Contarary to what was reported Nancy did not get a cake walk through her first year. In fact she had just as much as tough time as everyone else. She had to endure the pressures of first year while coping with a learning disabilty, ostrazation and an unpleasant roomate. Many went to great lengths to show that they did not want her there. Among them wives and Mothers of Citadel men who cursed her on a regular basis (so much for the stereotype of the Southern Lady). But through it all she managed to endure with her head held high. While she does complain about her treatment by some unsavory characters. She also praises the treatment and the camederie she received from her fellow classmates. And more importantly upperclassmen whose respect she begins to earn as time goes on.

This book also conteracts some of the negative publicity that the Citadel received most notably on 60 minutes. The book mentions that some of the bashers of the school are no angels themselves. And found it easier to complain on national TV and sue, as opposed to toughing it out and building character.

The reason I am giving this book four stars is due to the length, I expected something a bit longer and she mostly just discusses her first year. And skims briefly over her last three years. I was expecting something a bit more substantial in those areas, but I still found it a great read.

In The Company of Men is an excellent example of a school growing up and the kind of people it develops. Nancy Mace is the best example of this. The Citadel should have no regrets about admitting women, Nancy Mace is a great example of this.

After reading Pat Conroy's review that this is a "love letter" to the Citadel, I feared that Mace would give a one-sided, only positive view of her experience there. However, I was surprised and pleased that she lays out the entire experience "warts and all".

The only drawback is that the majority of the book (sans Epilogue) covers only Mace's first year at the Citadel. Although that first year is certainly enough material to write the book, it was a bit disjointed to jump from the end of her first year (at the end of the book) to graduation (Epilogue).

I also would have loved to hear her go further (past graduation) and instead put in the Epilogue how how her Citadel experience has affected her life now that she's out in the working world.

I would certainly recommend this book - it's a quick read, and very enjoyable. But I would counter Beth's remark in her review below, wishing that this could be in the "teen" section of the bookstore. Funny, that's exactly where I happened to find a copy.

The author tells her story as do all members of the long grey line of Citadel graduates - with a perspective that is at the same time individual and corporate. It's funny and sad, inspiring and illuminating. All 'knobs' can identify with these tales about the hilarity and the loneliness, the frustration and the exhilaration.... as can anyone who meets the challenges of life with an adventurous spirit.

(...) Nancy is not the first cadet to be the child of the commandant nor is she the first cadet to be at the cutting edge of change in an institution whose values have withstood the test of time... a century and a half of it! Over the decades many cadets have been suspected of favoritism. In the end, they've proven the truth or falseness of that charge by the evidence of their own lives. Look in the annals of history and you will find many Citadel graduates who have served this nation with courage and honor. Nancy's character is about far more than mere gender, as are theirs. She's a great young lady and takes her place beside many great men. In my opinion she's earned her place in the line. (written by one of her professors)