Customer Reviews

Of Honor and Dishonor

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Does a good job describing the nearly indescribable experience of plebe year at West Point during the late 60s. As a grad (Class of '69), the story was a quick trip down memory lane for me. As a fellow "veteran" of that era, I think the author pretty well nails the Zeitgeist and how most of us felt coming of age with a foot in each of two very different worlds. Solid characterizations and about a 90% solution on technical accuracy (just a few quibbles) make this book a less cynical, less angry rendition than Lucian Truscott's (a classmate)in "Dress Gray." If your curiosity runs to '60s coming-of-age stories and how military fledglings coped with it all or why West Pointers will tell you they never liked the place, while retaining a deep a abiding love for it (a narrow demographic?), take the trip with Mr. Crocco. At the very least it's a good yarn and an easy read.

The worst I can say about this book is that it is a good read. From another perspective, "Of Honor and Dishonor" awakens and explores feelings well familiar to those of us growing up during the Vietnam years. Mr. Crocco tells the story through the eyes of a West Point cadet, but it could be any one's story.

In an effort to understand what my finace went through at West point I bought this book. Not only was I surprised at the candid depiction of some of the cadets: some with their undying loyalty to their country and others with a loathing of all things West Point, but I was surprised by description of the relationship between the protagonist and his girlfriend. It was disarmingly similar to what I went through while my man was in West Point. A great read. I finished it in one sitting. I wish more authors could give as much insight as Mr. Crocco did.

Thinking this would be a book only men would appreciate, I was pleasantly surprised. David Crocco's down-to-earth, candid writing style provides a unique opportunity for women and men alike to see through the eyes of a West Point Cadet during a tumultuous period of American history. A great story!