The Lords of Discipline

Rating:
Summary: A real page turner
Review: I have long been a Pat Conroy fan and this was the only book of his I had not read. I loved the whole story line and how it brought to life the military school experience. His portrayal of the Charleston culture helped me re-live my recent visit to that area. Will McLean's conscience will inspire me for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Lords of Discipline, a heart wrenching good read.
Review: When I first read this book I could barely finish because I couldn't read through my tears. As a pacifist I was surprised at how much this book moved me. The style is eloquent and lyrical and an absolute pleasure to read. I subsiquently read the rest of Pat Conroy's work and enjoyed it equally. The Lords of Discipline to this day remains my favorite book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the five best books I have ever read.
Review: I wish I had read it when I was a teenager to better understand my place in the world at that time in my life.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding.
Review: Could quite possibly be the best book I've ever read. Don't be surprised if you find yourself reading several hundred pages in one sitting -- It's that good.

Rating:
Summary: This book is incredible - stayed up all night reading it!
Review: This is one of my alltime favorite books and I think Will is one of the most amazing, soulful and best developed characters I have ever come across in any novel. I read this book in college a few years ago after a close male friend of mine showed me a particular excerpt from it which described a professor of Will's at The Citadel. He was the passionate professor whom Conroy began describing by writing "he was the most brilliant scholar I had ever known. . . " Anyway, at that time a mentor of mine, my favorite professor (an English Prof) and good friend, had just been diagnosed with cancer and was told he had only a few weeks to live. I was devastated and wanted to express to him how much he meant to me and I wanted him to know what an amazing and inspiring professor he had been but I couldn't seem to find words that would do justice to how incredible he was. Well, my friend Richard showed me a passage from Lords of Discipline which simply blew me away - it was exactly what I felt about Dr. Stirling and Conroy just put it so beautifully. I was immediately struck by his eloquence and his mastery of imagery and I borrowed the book and read it from cover to cover without stopping. After he died, Dr. Stirling's wife later told me that the letter I sent him with the Conroy quotation had touched him deeply and to this day The Lords of Discipline will always hold a special place in my heart. I met Pat Conroy at a book signing in Atlanta and was able to thank him personally for his words of inspiration. He was a lovely man and I would recommend any of his books (The Water is Wide is my second favorite). If I had only read the summary of what The Lords of Discipline is about I would not have bothered to read it - I am a female and I have never been one to enjoy military type novels but this was a big surprise. This book is about friendship, loyalty, betrayal, love, and coming of age in a confusing society. It was not what I expected at all and now I never pass by a book simply because it doesn't "look" like one I would enjoy. Reading The Lords of Discipline changed my view on that. Obviously, I simply can not say enough about this book - please read it - you won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: A Battle of Tradition vs. Independence.
Review: While the entire novel made a fantastic read, I must really compliment the characterization of Will. Being an early 20s bachelor, the constant questions of love, honor, integrity, success, and virtue constantly permeate my decisions regarding life and the future. There are always expectations from others overshadowing your need for independence. I never identified with a character as much as I did with Will. His struggle towards his own honor and virtue, versus his loyalty and dedication to the institue, reflect those "rite of passage" issues that every person needs to go through -- the need for independence versus the security of dependence. Although slightly predictable, the novel is a must-read. I strongly suggest it.

Rating:
Summary: Conroy's best, and in my all-time top 10
Review: This terrific novel succeeds on a number of levels, but its two main thrusts are a fascinating look into life for freshmen ("knobs") and upperclasmen at the Citadel ("Carolina Military Institue" in the book) and an examination of the frequent conflict between personal morality and group norms.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant description of a boy's rite of passage
Review: I generally read two or three books a week. Some call my reading compulsive. It is very rare that I encounter a novel that enthralls me like this. The characters are so real, the story so gripping yet full of passion. I wandered through the beautiful pages of this book thinking about my friends and roomates. People I still think about every day. Just as I will think about the four young men from this story for quite a while. Brilliant. Easily one of the top ten novels I have ever read. I am almost afraid to read antoher Conroy novel for fear it won't come close to the breathtaking prose displayed here.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic
Review: It had everything - it was full of good solid stuff which was brilliant to read. I enjoyed every single line of it, and if I was in the habit of reading stuff again I would definitely read this again. The twist at the end was very good, you never would have guessed

Rating:
Summary: His best
Review: Having read all of Pat Conroy's work this is the best. A great novel that is in my top ten