Customer Reviews

The Return of Philo T. McGiffin (Bluejacket Books)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

I can only add to the plaudits below. I didn't go to Navy, but my father and brother did. I've always wondered if plebe year was as wierd and hard and fascinating as they said it was -- now I know the answer. But beyond the wonderful introduction to USNA life, this is a terrific story -- great, complex characters, inspiration as well as sardonic humor, and a terrific twist at the end. Anyone who is interested in military life will enjoy this book. I'm about to buy several copies to send to friends.

From all indications, the Naval Academy is not a place for humor but with this book, David Poyer has shown that humour can thrive in a military environment even though it really doesn't have a place. The characters were well developed and the ending had a surprising twist. A wonderful read for anyone interested in the military way of life

As a graduate of the Naval Academy, I found this book to be a fresh, vibrant and comical description of the life of a first year Midshipman. For those who have not lived the experience first-hand, it will be amusing and informative. For those who have been there, it will resonate with the irony and irreverance that characterize the radical metamorphosis from civilian to naval officer.

This novel about Plebe year at USNA is absolutly outstanding. I had trouble putting it down and finished the last 100 pages nonstop. Poyer's vivid re-enactments of the stress of Plebe year combined with the comradarie created are wonderful. The ending is wonderful and caused me to laugh out loud ( as did many other passages throughout) If you have had the slightest association with the Naval Academy or just like good books-give Philo T. McGiffin a try

I enjoyed the book; I think it does give an insight into what you have to endure to graduate from the academy. Times might have changed but the concepts are the same. It makes you understand why only the young can go through this kind of induction, that forms a concept of self, reading know as a middle aged civilian I can but wonder how anyone would or could endure it. But I have to wonder where the Comedy was? I found very little to laugh at.

i read the book from our local library years ago-early 1980's, it was in hardcover then, it deals wth a persons life at the U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY- ANNAPOLIS, as a plebe- a 1st year student.it is worth reading.i could never find that copy from our library again. the last i heard was it was out-of-print. good luck if you can locate it.it is funny, sad, and a serious book.

David Poyer is deservedly well-known for his terrific Dan Lenson series (adventure/thrillers in the modern U.S. Navy), but this one is my favorite: it feels as if every sentence written about the hapless Naval Academy midshipman Philo McGiffin's plebe (first) year was long ago written in David Poyer's own sweat and tears. "The Return of Philo McGiffin" follows 17-year old Philo through his first year at the U.S. Naval Academy in what appears to be the late 1960s. I know enough Naval Academy grads to know that plebe year has changed in 40 years (less hazing, more professionalism) but it is a still a time when young people must deal with the daily disasters of an unshined shoe or a failed inspection and the larger issues of self-doubt about whether they can "hack it" at USNA and in the Navy. Poyer has a fantastic ear for dialogue--young people today still talk a lot like this--and there is real suspense as the reader and Philo both wonder whether this short, skinny, scared-of-heights, math-disliking young guy is going to make it. I would recommend this for anyone (parents or young person) thinking of going to a military academy or even wondering whether a stint in the military may help with the growing up process. For those who have read other "military academy" fiction, think of this as a more warm-hearted, funnier version of James Webb's "A Sense of Honor" (also a wonderful book).