Rating: 
Summary: A reminder of what once was
Review: The West Point story is an integral part of the fabric of American values. This book, which includes brilliant, insightful passages from some our nation's best writers, walks you briskly and engagingly through an institution around which our culture was formed. In frightening times like today, we should be comforted knowing there is a West Point spirit alive in the hearts and minds of our military leaders. The book should appeal to everyone: military strategists, political scientists, Joe's six-packs and even those who demand lots of photos with their reading matter. It's all there.
Rating: 
Summary: "Glossy"
Review: There were more than enough books like this even before, so the "makers of leaders" story gets a bit tiresome, even if there are good reasons to learn about West Point. I have the impression they utilized well-known "names", who are not all that interested in West Point, to write what I thought were boring essays (except for Schwartzkopf's). But, the biggest impression I carry away from this book is that it has pretty pictures, and is colorful. If they were the goals, then they succeeded. Among the great piles of books and videos that have been produced to observe West Point's bicentennial, I'm sure this picture book will be popular, especially because they used H. Norman Schwarzkopf's name, even though he had little to do with the book. I hope all the colorful books and videos do well, but I suspect this book and the others will mean more to people who didn't themselves attend the Academy. Those of us who did, and those who have been friends of the Academy, will find little that's new. And, despite the Academy's official cooperation with this production, those who attended and the faithful friends may find the book a bit too, well let me just say, "glossy" for their tastes.
Rating:
Summary: Rich panorama of West Point.
Review: This book captures the spirit of this unique American institution, and tells stories of the many men and women who have passed through West Point's granite halls over the past two centuries. It includes compelling profiles of George Armstrong Custer, Edgar Allen Poe, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, George S. Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, Norman Schwartzkopf and many other military figures great and small. This is much more than a coffee-table book. The writing is comprehensive, incisive and personal. Chapters and essays are provided by Stephen E. Ambrose, David Halberstam, Arthur Miller, George Plimpton, Tom Wicker and other distinguished writers. They provide illuminating perspectives about the West Point which are fresh and unvarnished. The book includes hundreds of beautiful color images - photographs, paintings, posters, magazine covers, pop culture icons and historical objects - which vividly bring to life the events and people of "The Long Grey Line." A great deal of effort has gone into this book. It clearly shows how the U.S. Military Academy has had a profound impact on America, not only by providing leaders for its wars. Perhaps surprisingly, the school's graduates have gone on to leadership roles in every corner of American life, including government, business, sports, engineering, architecture, space exploration and the arts. This is a great book to own and a real treasure. I'll read in it large and small doses for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: A overview for beginners
Review: This book gives an overview of the 200 years of West point. From its humble beginnings to its place as the premier military academy. Its rich with history, facts and photos.
Rating:
Summary: A truly amazing perspective on USMAs history!
Review: This book is a wonderful recollection of this nation's military academy, from it's fragile inception to it's recent commissioning of the Class of 2002. It's content not only serves as the best history lesson I've seen on West Point, but it provides a museum like experience to the reader.
Rating:
Summary: A truly amazing perspective on USMAs history!
Review: This book is a wonderful recollection of this nation's military academy, from it's fragile inception to it's recent commissioning of the Class of 2002. It's content not only serves as the best history lesson I've seen on West Point, but it provides a museum like experience to the reader.
Rating: 
Summary: A perfect gift
Review: This book is an extremely human look at this famed institution of learning and discipline. There is something strikingly different in its tone from all other military tributes. Interesting choice of writers, thinkers and leaders heading up the list of contributors-- Arthur Miller reflecting on West Point? Yes, indeed. And what a reflection. This beautifully photographed, and meticulously detailed history is not a one-sided look at the struggle of ideas and policy, brotherhood and pride. A perfect gift for the not yet instinct, thinking, God fearing soldier.
Rating:
Summary: Visit West Point
Review: This coffee table book was okay, no better or no worse than the others that were put together for West Point's bicentennial. But, I think pictures, whether beautiful or just okay, are substantially empty momentos -- not momentos at all -- with little in the way of meaning or value. There is no substitute for the real thing. I recommend that you personally visit West Point and take the tour --- and take pictures with you in them.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars- like a Top General
Review: West Point vividly comes alive in this 304 page book, chronicling the history of the renowned institution. The illustrations are superb. And articles scattered throughout by Arthur Miller, Stephen Ambrose, William F. Buckley, Jr. and David Halberstram, to name a few, add brilliance to the otherwise scintillating texts of Tom Wicker, Thomas Fleming and others. With an introduction by General H. Norman Schwartzkopf, it is an engaging and comprehensive look at the school, and a glorious 200th Happy Birthday present to the nation that created the great institution. I recommend it highly -- five stars ***** -- like a top General.
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