Dress Gray [Paperback]

Lucian K. Truscott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

A best-selling novel by the author of Heart of War features a rebellious West Point cadet who, while entangled in a scandalous sexual liason, fights the academy to unearth the truth behind the death of a fellow cadet. Reprint. PW. NYT. "

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Signet (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451190475
• ISBN-13: 978-0451190475
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down, August 26, 2004

By 

James G. Greenhill "Jim Greenhill" (Durango, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dress Gray (Mass Market Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this 1978 thriller set at West Point.
Some of the elements that might have seemed scandalous 26 years ago, such as the protagonist's ongoing off-campus sexual affair, no longer seem even unusual, but the book remains a thoroughly entertaining if at times dated read.
What lifts "Dress Gray" above the level of your average thriller for me is Ry Slaight, one of the more memorable main characters I've encountered in a book of this type. He is well-drawn, fleshed out, complex and likable.
I'm a little wary of reading Truscott's other books because reviews suggest they're not as good & I really hate to spoil this.
I do not see the book as critical of West Point. The setting--especially in this case--rises above the people who happen to populate it for a short part of its history. Truscott doesn't want us to like some of his characters, but I don't think he has anything against West Point. In fact, I felt the book wanted to see the institution rise above & outlast some of its less attractive denizens.
It may SEEM critical of the school to people unfamiliar with the type of discipline exercised there.
To me, the profanity merely seems realistic & in a way amusing, since it is so clearly an affectation on the part of the characters who use it. They strive to be profane, & that is realistic of their ages, of the phases they're going through. The reader knows they will grow up & be exactly the kind of people who don't use that language, & that's funny, in a dry way.
Nope, this was outstandingly entertaining. I should note that I came by it as a result of free books available to deployed Soldiers. That's a great program that benefits troops. If you get a chance to send free books, do it! And many thanks to everyone who has.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Military Thriller, August 27, 2000

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dress Gray (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. It had the requisite ingredients for a good thriller. It had richly drawn, convincing characters and several subplots that worked with the original story line. The descriptions of cadet life were insightful and informative. The writing was military: crisp, sharp and neat. The story presentation was fresh and interesting and to the author's credit, he manages to keep readers on edge, wanting more.

I really enjoyed this book and I would gladly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best military fiction/mystery by Truscott., April 16, 2001

By 

Daniel R. Bills (Lafayette, Louisiana. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dress Gray (Paperback)

Wow what a great adventure You will not be able to put this classic down! As I say, its Undownputable. Great from start to the excitintg climax.