The Return of Philo T. McGiffin (Bluejacket Books) [Paperback]

David Poyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997 | Series: Bluejacket Books

From the day he reported in for Plebe Summer, everyone agreed: Philo T. McGiffin was a wimp. The original Philo McGiffin, Class of 1882, was a mythic master of outrageous escapades who became a symbol of subversive individualism to generations of mids. But his namesake seemed unlikely to carry on the tradition. Stoop-shouldered and meek, he nearly buckles under the emotional, physical, and mental stresses that are the lot of every plebe. Yet ultimately "The Mouse" triumphs in the grand style of his predecessor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557506892
• ISBN-13: 978-1557506894
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - A must read!, December 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Return of Philo T. McGiffin (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

As a classmate of Dave Poyer, I can say that I am sure I know who the real Philo is! But then every midshipman who has ever gone to the Naval Academy knows who he or she is as well. Philo is in every class with a different name - I think that is what so appealed to me about this book. It was just like doing the four years all over again - G_d forbide! If you went to Navy, you need to read this book. If you have ever known a Naval Academy grad, you need to read this book. If you ever wondered about "those who go to Navy and what it does to them", you need to read this book. If you are young and thinking about any service academy, you should read this book - so should your parents. Plebe year has changed a great deal since 1967-68 but the concepts that make the academies what they are and the officers and leaders they produce are, in a sense, timeless. Not all of the answers but enough to make for a great read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philo McGiffin-A great book!, April 30, 2002

By 

J. Mayer (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Return of Philo T. McGiffin (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

For those of us who will never attend a service academy, books such as "Return of Philo McGiffin" give us a glimpse of what it takes to get through these tough institutions. They are colleges in one sense but as a character in the book says "this is your first duty assignment in the Navy!" For anyone thinking about Annapolis or who has a friend or relation who will attend, this book is a must read. My grandfather went to West Point and spent almost 40 years in the Army - now I have an idea of how he got there. Philo McGiffin is great book for anyone who is a fan of our Naval Academy but wants no illusions of how hard it is there.
My hats off to all Annapolis Alumni!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the time to read this., September 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Return of Philo T. McGiffin (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

It won't take too long, because you'll find Philo hard to put down. If you're a Navy grad, you'll love it. The book is funny and poignant. You'll remember incidents you'd long forgotten. (Hmmm, maybe that's not such a good recommendation.) Beat Army!