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Summary: The Long Gray Line is a superb book.
Review: The Long Gray Line is a superb work of non-fiction that reads like an engrossing novel. Atkinson expertly lets the reader in on the inner lives of his main characters while giving an overview of the US army in the post-Vietnam era. This is a book that most definitely deserves to be back in print.
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Summary: The Long Gray Line is an excellent book.
Review: The Long Gray Line is an excellent book. It gives accounts of cadets in the class of 1966 of West Point and makes you feel close to them. It also describes life in West Point and in the Army. After West Point, The Long Gray Line follows the class of 66 in Vietnam and tells of the heavy casualties and what the troops faced there. The Long Gray Line should be read by all history and military enthusiasts.
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Summary: Every High-School Senior should read this book
Review: There are lessons to be learned here; ones of honor, dedication, respect, and the deepest of human love. This is one of the finest pieces of writing to emerge in the 1980's. The lives of the men in this book are extraordinary and touching. One leaves the book feeling a personal connection to the cadets, and although it has been almost a decade since I read the book, I still think about those men and am proud of them. Mr. Atkinson writes with a skill and clarity that is rare in the world of journalism today. Thank you sir, for producing such a fine work.
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Summary: A stunningly absorbing book
Review: This account of the West Point class of 1966 from its beginnings in 1962 up to 1988 is very well done, and one suffers and glories with the members of it in this triumph of the personal historian's art. I would have liked a list of the graduating members of the class of 1966--maybe with their rank from 1st to last, and with Gold Stars by those who died for their country. But this is not designed as that kind of a book, and I found it unfailingly readable. A triumph for the a book of this type.
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Summary: An epic story of a seperated genertaion
Review: THis book certainly details the hardships of cadet life at the United States Military Academy. Furthermore, it shows the struggle of being a good leader and duty in the face of adversity. By the end of the book you may feel as if Gerorge Crocker, Tom Carhart, and Jack Wheeler are the boys you grew up with. Details the harsh realties of war and the life after war. THis book does not miss a thing in the description of the USMA class of 66 as it details the death of classmates, the triumphs and downfalls of the living and the harshness of broken dreams. THe best book of the Vietnam War I have ever read and certainly a book that bears true lessons of life, courage and leadership.
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Summary: Brilliant book , great research, original idea
Review: This book follows the Westpoint class of 66 from before the Academy, in the Academy and then their lives aftewards, it tells us about the Vietnam war and the classes contribution and therafter, more importantly it puts a face on those that died fighting in Vietnam ,its a book that will make you laugh, make you like the subjects and make you cry when you read about their deaths, it is a modern masterpiece that should never be out of print and I firmly beleive it should be required reading, it is a book that I enjoyed reading and i will enjoy reading it aagain
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Summary: Duty, Honor, Country, and Tragedy
Review: This book is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about West Point and its cadets during the 1960s. Brilliantly written, Rick Atkinson takes the reader through a journey of reality, humor, excitment, and tragedy. Furthermore, Atkinson's writing regarding his subjects is splendid. READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!
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Summary: A Reviewer From That Era
Review: This book is about a few people from the West Point class of 1966. What about the classes of '56 and '57 ... and '60 and'61 and '62 and '63 ... and '70 and '71 and all the others before in between and after? What about the several times as many officers who were not from West Point who bled ... and died? And what about the hundreds of thousands of kids who were soldiers once ... and young ... and not maimed ... and not dead? Is this book representative, about them? No. Though pitched as a history of the Vietnam era, it isn't. This book does not tell the story of that era, it's but snapshots in time of a few West Point officers. Is this book inspirational? No. I found it to come off as a negative, chip-on-the-shoulder affair. Should students of history or prospective officers read it? No. I think it is discouraging. The author did a commendable job of doing much with little, highlighting people and stories that are not really that important or typical. But, many of us who are actually from that era feel this book does not accurately depict and represent our era. As this book can be misleading and depressing, I do not recommend it.
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Summary: To Me, This Was Boring
Review: This book may be of interest to West Point officers who inadvertantly found themselves in Vietnam. But, to me, after all the great marketing hype and superlatives that drew me in, this book was boring. I give it a star for good writing and editing, but, those don't make a book interesting.
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Summary: OUTSTANDING MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY!
Review: This book was written about a lot more than just the West Point Class of 1966. This book was written about the sweeping social and political changes that took place from 1962 to 1971. The story begins in the year that the Class of '66 reported to West Point as plebes for Beast Barracks, and carries the reader through 1971, the year that the Class of '66 became eligible to resign their commissions, and beyond. This time period straddled some of the most timultuous years in US history. Well written and very readable, yet not a "lightweight" paperback. A great, truly inspiring story. Also, this book is a perfect complement to "The Nightingale's Song" by Robert Timberg, which chronicles the lives of five Vietnam-era Annapolis graduates, Sen. John McCain, John Poindexter, Robert McFarlain, Oliver North, and James Webb. Both are great books! Read them!
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