Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Novel
Review: The best writers make their readers live vicariously through the characters and plot of the book. Few of us have attended a military academy as Conroy has so he lets us into this world. But, it is not just a look inside the academy, it has mystery,conflict, intrique, and good vs. bad all rolled into one novel. Writers write best on the things they know and Conroy has this down cold. The diverse nature of the four main characters also is interesting as well as the hero's struggle to survive the system, but not become indoctrinated by it. If there is one complaint, it is that the ending gambit by the cadets came together all too quickly as if Conroy wanted to finish writing the book. But this is a small complaint and the plusses far exceed the negatives of this book. I did not put it down for the last 150 pages.
Rating:
Summary: A " couldn't put it down" book
Review: It was right after reading "My Losing Season" that I decided it was time to pick up this book. I had thought about reading it several times before, but I as I stated in my review of the nonfiction work "My Losing Season", I was trying to space out Pat Conroy's books because I knew that I'd only get to read them once for the first time.It was very interesting reading this book because even though it is a fictional story it is based on some true events (which are chronicled in "My Losing Season") as well being based on the realities of many that went through the rigors and trials of a military academy. Conroy interviewed students that graduated as well as students that didn't make it at various military schools (Citadel, VMI, Air Force Academy, etc.) to use their shared experiences to make this work ring true even though it was a fictional story much like many of the Law and Order television episodes are based on real crimes. I kept wondering how much of this story was totally made up and how much was based on real events. In "My Losing Season" Conroy tells the real story of his relationship with a girl that appears in the fictional work here. He changed a lot of the details, but the core truth of how badly she hurt him rings true in both the fictional story here and the actual account of the real events. It made me wonder what other stuff was nearly real in this fictional book... Mr. Conroy talks about how his alma mater wouldn't let him back on campus for many years after this book was published. It hit a cord which reverberated for a long time and I'll take that as a clue that this work, much like "The Prince of Tides" and "Beach Music" were thinly veiled truths, pieces of art that are much to mirror like for comfort. One downside to reading Conroy in general is the depression that always seems to hit me. I must fight my own demons that get stirred up as I turn the pages reading about his. But despite the scabs that get picked and the wounds that hurt over again, I like reading what he has to say because it's real. Real and true are funny ways to describe fiction but when must of us go day to day hiding and playing games perhaps it is enlightening to go ahead and pretend that what is real, is not, and what is not; is. If you have not yet read Pat Conroy, this is as good a place to start as any. This work is not as heavy duty as "Prince of Tides" and "Beach Music" and I'd imagine would probably appeal to a wider audience. Once you've read this I'd wager that you'll be anxious to get your hands on "My Losing Season". Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: an enjoyable read, with flashes of brilliance
Review: This is the first Pat Conroy book I've read and the first military book. I enjoyed it immensely, finding it very easy to read and engaging from the beginning. Mr. Conroy obviously cares deeply about his characters and the main ones are given dimension and substance. His humor can be quite savage, which I loved. His descriptions of the town are beautiful and the Institute truly chilling. His depiction of the bonds of love and deep friendships that form between young men was eye-opening. There is no question that Mr. Conroy is a gifted writer. However, I found the story's plot to be disappointingly predictable, not suspenseful. The membership of "The Ten" was no surprise, nor where McLean could find that information. I also was a little put off by the "tear-jerker" feel the last third of the novel had. I felt it was manipulative, and, frankly, laziness on the part of the author. With the awesome command of the English language that Mr. Conroy has, he should have avoided the emotionally overwrought, overblown speechifying we see at the end of the novel. Despite this criticism, I would recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: So powerful in story and detail
Review: Pat Conraoy is one of our most truly gifted authors today. I only wish he had more books to read! I knew that this was rough, Beach Music and others had prepared me to expect a harsh story. I am amazed at how Conroy can describe atrocity and beauty with the same deftness and eye for detail. Nothing escapes his scrutiny. The story of four cadets was interesting. I liked that the story is not told chronologically. We are able to meet the characters and then see glimpes of their first year at the school. The plot twists were wonderful and unexpected. I thought I might have it figured out, but found a completely different ending! This was one of those books which I had to force myself to slow down, despite the suspense and savor the writing. I reccommend this and look foward to more Pat Conroy novels!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books
Review: I would have to say that the "Lords of Discipline" has been one of the best books that I have ever read. This is one of those books that leaves you at the edge of your seat begging for more. Pat Conroy uses so much detail in the book that there are times when you actually feel that you are right there with the character. This is a story about four men, who were friends and roomates. The story of four friends who came together and helped each other through all the sweat, blood, and tears all for the same reason. They all wanted to wear the ring of the institute. As these four cadets go through their senior year at the institute, Pat Conroy takes you through all their good times, bad times, and even takes you through their plebe year at the institute. Just when you thought these cadets have been through the worst, the story gets even thicker. The thing that I loved most about this book was how eveything just came together in end. It totally blew me away. It will leave you sitting there thinking to yourself I can't believe that just happened.
Rating:
Summary: This is my new favorite book!
Review: This is the greatest book I have ever read. It's main character, Will McLean, has to go through many trials to get to his graduation from the Carolina Insitute. His story is shared with the 3 men he rooms with. But the rest of his graduating class have minor roles in the story. The realism of the characters shows what a great author Conroy is. Although there are recurring themes in all of Conroy's books (the setting, basketball, etc.) the book is a completely new idea. The visuals, plot, and simply stated, the novel itself, will keep you entranced till the end.
Rating:
Summary: Surpassed My Expectations
Review: This is the best novel I have read for quite some time. Based on other reviews, I expected 'The Lords of Discipline' to be very good and I was not disappointed. This is a story told from the heart about human frailties that we all have encountered at some stage throughout our own lives. More than that however, with Pat Conroy's flowing prose, the setting of a military college in South Carolina was strikingly visual even to someone who hasn't been there, let alone the USA. Will McLean could be classed as a black sheep, and as much he tries to fit in, circumstances continually arise that put him on the outer of the institute. Will however does have unconditional friendship in the form of his roomates but it is not all smooth sailing there either. The last quarter of the book just flew by and I think the best part was finding out how all the threads Pat Conroy had weaved in the previous three formed a stunning tapestry at books end.
Rating:
Summary: The best author still living
Review: Pat Conroy is a genius. After having read three of his books, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides, and The Lords of Discipline, I come to this conclusion easily. All three of these works are the best books I have ever read. Many may think that they are just entertaining stories, such as the works of John Grisham or Tom Clancy, but this is not the case. Conroy conveys the character of Will McLean with such depth that one cannot help but to be taken in to the story. Not only does he 'write people' the way they really are, he does so with a kind of writing that is very hard to find in the 21st century. He uses powerful imagery and other literary tools in his writing and writes one of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. Just one warning: there is a good deal of foul language (it is a military school) so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the middle school age.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome - adventure, love, politics, mystery
Review: Although the cover looks like a romance novel, this book is fascinating and a work of enormous power. Conroy opens with this: I have need to bear witness what I saw [at the Institute.] ...I want a murderous, stunning truthfulness. I want to find my own singular voice for the first time. I want you to understand why I hate the school with all my power and passion. Then I want you to forgive me for loving the school. Some of the boys of the Institute and the men who are her sons will hate me for the rest of their lives. But that will be all right. You see, I wear the ring. The book is murderous and stunning truthfulness. In fact, this reader is left wondering if the story really did happen, as Conroy attended the Citadel during the same years described in the book. In the "Author's Note," Conroy notes that the work is fiction and he is trying to write a story about the idea of a military school. After interviewing many from schools all over the country, he presents the idea in amazing fashion. There is certainly a mystique to the work that leaves the reader wondering if it is true. Without giving too much away, Conroy brings us into the life of rebel Will McLean and his struggles through the Institute. Vivid descriptions of Charleston invade the text, with the beautiful plantation style houses described in several passages. The plebe year is presented in a terrifying manner, as the hazing is discussed in wretched detail after another. Out of 700 entering freshmen, 100 would leave the first week and 300 by the end of the year. In the end, this novel of heartbreak, politics (Vietnam), pride, betrayal, and intrigue is a true winner. I recommend this one to all.
Rating:
Summary: Rich in language and description
Review: I bought this book after seeing the 1983 film version starring David Keith and Robert Prosky. Obviously, I couldn't help but compare the two. The book is much better than the film. It is too bad, because they'll never re-make it, and it has the possiblity to be a good movie.
In the book, we delve much deeper into the life and history of the narrator, Will McLean which makes the events of the story far more poignant.
Conroy is extremely descriptive at some points in the book. He describes Charleston in great detail. At these points, the book becomes a little slow, however if you stick with it, there is a point which makes the description quite rewarding.
I think that this book would make an impact on anyone, regardless of whether they attended a military college or not. I went to a big 10 school, and I still found that this book reminded me of brotherhood, friendships and memorable times both good and bad.
I might even recommend seeing the movie first, and then reading the book. If you do it the other way, you'll probably be very dissapointed in the movie. Don't worry - several aspects of the book differ significantly from the movie, so you are hardly covering the same ground twice. For example, and this is not a spoiler, the book details Will's plebe year, which the movie does not do. That account is one of the strongest parts of the book.
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