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Summary: Inspiring story of a Young Woman Reaching Her Goal
Review: Inspiring story of the challenges a young woman faces while starting her military career at West Point. This book gave me great insight into West Point - I have had friends and distant relatives who have went there, and I've always wanted to have a first hand account of what it's like to go there.In addition, this book re-affirms that, as with most things in life, one's true "enemies" are not external things such as your family, job, circumstance, and in this case, the military tradition at West Point, but rather one's own self, with whom one must battle to accomplish one's goals. Andi Davis indeed possesses the strength, courage, and will to not become discouraged and accomplish her goals. By writing this story, the author inspires the reader to realize his or her own dreams and work towards them and (in the words of Andi's platoon motto) "Never Surrender!"!
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Summary: Military fiction
Review: On the ride to West Point, Andi's siblings bicker and her mother tries to get out of the speeding car at 65 mph and then throws her dad's glasses out the window so he will be forced to let her drive. With a family like this, it's no wonder Andi welcomes the grueling six week boot camp experience, known discomfortingly as "Beast." Anticipation quickly turns to tolerance as she is verbally abused to relearn how to walk, talk, even eat. The fear that she will fall into the category of dropout like a third of her class haunts her almost as constantly as she defends her boy-crazy roommate.
One of the few girls in the class of 1996, Andi struggles to fit in and gain the respect of her peers, her superiors, and her family. Frequent run-ins with a misogynist cadet bring up feminist issues. West Point ultimately becomes a place where she learns new skills, makes friends, breaks records as a runner, and discovers that her squad leader is human, after all.
The climax of the book, a sequence of trials that puts everything the new cadets have learned together, gets a bit long and drawn out as Efaw describes the step by step solution to each problem. Still, this is where Andi really has a chance to shine.
The book is nicely supplemented with a map of West Point, a chart of seniority, and a glossary of military terms and slang. An author's note puts the book into context (Efaw graduated from West Point in 1989) and explains what was left out in the hopes of simplification. The cover has an unappealing old-fashioned look; why didn't the art director feature a West Point cadet's uniform instead? The West Point badge on the back is very appropriate. Battle Dress offers a unique point of view and lots of action, and will be perfect for anyone, male or female, who wants to know how bad boot camp really is. In spite of intense writing and a strong female character, this book may need some pushing. Purchase in paperback.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: Riveting and inspiring. Neither my husband nor I could put the book down. We cannot wait to read this author's next novel!
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Summary: Please, Amy, we need a sequel!!
Review: Someone on the Janet Lambert listserv who shares my love of military families recommended this book, and I really enjoyed it. Andi's determination to succeed in the harsh, alien male world of West Point is understandable to the reader because we have glimpsed her unhappy home life. I can't wait to hear more about Andi's years at West Point, and am also curious to learn what happens to her younger sister. This could be the beginning of a great series! Readers would also enjoy The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White.
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Summary: Women in the Army
Review: The book Battle Dress is a great book. It takes place in West Point, New York. It is about a girl who wants to get away from her family horrable. She goes to West Point for college. When she arrives here everyone yells at her. They all find something that she is doing wrong to yell at her about. At first she hates this place and wants to go home, then she remembers what it was like at home and decides it would be better for her to stay. I enjoyed this book very much because I have a sister that attends West Point so I know that many of the things that I read in this book were very true and lifelike. I feel that everyone should read this book to see the real life at West Point in the eyes of a girl. It has some lanuage in it so I wouldn't reccomend for young kids to read this.
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Summary: Battle Dress
Review: The book that I read was Battle Dress. It is about a girl that goes to West Point. She hates it there from the very first day she arrives. She is their to get awat from her family though. She cannot stand anyone in it. I would reccomened this book to people who think they are having it hard. After you read this book you will relize that the cadets and expecially the female cadets. It is a very true story about what they are treated like at West Point. The quote that I choose from this book is "I hate this place, Ishould just go back home now. But I cannnot do that and let my mom tell me I told you so. That I cannot do it that I'm not strong at all. I'll just stay in this hell hole." the reason I choose this quote was because sometimes I just never want to go back to my parents because I think it's the worst place in the world.
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Summary: A Motivational Book about Perseverance
Review: The setting of Battle Dress is West Point Military Academy, but the message I received from this first book written by Amy Efaw is: No matter what your life has been, it's up to you and your attitudes whether you make it or not. Never give up! I found Battle Dress to be both motivating and good recreational reading, although I had to put the book down after the first two chapters because I was exhausted. Amy Efaw gives us a realistic and entertaining picture of a young woman's life at West Point without having to resort to filth and gore. "Andi Davis" leaves the disorder of her home and the insecurity of her childhood, and finds structure, identity, and acceptance at West Point. Efaw skillfully describes Andi's environment and experiences, her agonizing thoughts and fears, and her failures and triumphs. Andi doesn't always win, but then, neither do we. I cried with Andi, cheered for her, and laughed out loud. The program at West Point, as described by Efaw, would probably seem harsh to the average reader; but they're training men and women to be leaders in potentially dangerous circumstances, where a careless mistake could cost lives. Since reading Battle Dress, I have a new respect for the Academy and its graduates. West Point may be the place where "striving for excellence" was invented.
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Summary: Best Book Ever On West Point
Review: This absolutely the best young adult novel ever written about West Point. The book explores well beyond the mechanics of military life as Efaw examines the interpersonal relationships between Andi Davis, her family and her fellow cadets. This is a story that will touch everyone who reads, both teens and adults alike. THIS IS A MUST READ!
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Summary: BEST BOOK EVER ON WEST POINT
Review: This is simply the finest book ever written for young adults about West Point. The story travels well beyond the mechanics of military life as Efaw examines the poignant inter-relationships among the main character, Andi Davis, and her family and her fellow cadets. A MUST READ, this book will touch teens and adults alike.
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Summary: Fiction reflects fact in this story of West Point
Review: What a great story! As the mother of two female graduates of West Point, I often wished that I could be a fly on the wall during their plebe summers. Through her character, Andi, the author has given us insight into the fear and uncertainty experienced in the beginning of the Cadet Basic Training culminating in the personal growth and achievement as the summer ends. The story was so real to me that I actually found myself reliving the Mom-type feelings from those Plebe summers.I would recommend this book to all young women who may be planning to attend a service academy and to their parents as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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