Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point 

By David Lipsky. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2003. ISBN 0-618-09542-X.

In 1998, Rolling Stone magazine correspondent David Lipsky did not much like the military, did not know much about it, and did not really care. Then came an assignment to write a piece about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Four years later, Lipsky had become a convert.

What began as a magazine article became a full-length book, with Lipsky following West Point’s class of 2002 cadets for four years in an effort to explain what West Point is, what it does, what impact it has on young people and the country, and why anyone would choose a life of discipline, responsibility, and rigorous physical and mental challenge.

Lipsky usually writes about the “Me Generation” of young people at American colleges and universities. At West Point, however, he discovers a unique culture of ethics, tradition, and achievement and explores how the academy takes civilians and turns them into capable, self-reliant Army officers. Even he admits the transformation is amazing.

Lipsky was allowed unfettered access and support, and the result is a polished, praiseworthy, and surprisingly candid look at the institution, cadets, and academy staff. He offers a brief history of the academy, but his focus is on the cadets and how they adapt to an unfamiliar environment with very unfamiliar rules.

He portrays cadets who thrive in such a stressful, structured environment and those who do not make it and are sent home. Cadets are refreshingly honest with Lipsky as they tell what they like and do not like about West Point, why they are there, and what they hope to accomplish. Perhaps most encouraging is Lipsky’s vivid portrayal of the dedicated and professional staff of Army officers and NCOs who teach, supervise, counsel, and mentor the cadets.

Men and women of all races and backgrounds attend West Point, and Lipsky is surprised to learn they are the happiest students he has ever seen (although he admits they complain more than anyone he knows). By graduation, even Lipsky declares: “I came to love, really love, road marching.” This is a fine, well-written tribute to West Point and the classes of future officers it produces.

The Last Ridge: The Epic Story of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the Assault on Hitler’s Europe

By McKay Jenkins.  Random House, 2003. ISBN 0-375-50771-X.

In the geography of warfare, mountains usually are to be avoided. Mountain terrain and weather often are more dangerous than enemy soldiers, and it was not until 1944–45, during World War II, that the U.S. Army’s first mountain division ever saw combat.

The Last Ridge is McKay Jenkins’ exciting history of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, an infantry outfit created and trained to be specialists in mountain warfare. Jenkins, an instructor at the University of Delaware, has written three books, including The White Death: Tragedy and Heroism in an Avalanche Zone (Random House, 2000).

Formed in 1942, the 10th Mountain Division fought in the last months of the grueling Italian campaign. Although disbanded and reformed several times since World War II, the division has a proud combat history. Jenkins focuses on the division’s creation, recruiting, training, development of mountain warfare tactics, and battles against German defenders in the miserable winter of 1944–45 in the rugged Italian Apennine Mountains.

As Jenkins relates, the idea for a specially trained mountain division was not popular with Army brass, who saw it as a wasteful effort, diverting men and resources from regular infantry units. The campaign in Italy, however, had bogged down in a brutal stalemate in the mountains, and a special unit was needed to break through the German defenses.

Jenkins describes the unit’s recruiting effort, which targeted athletic adventurers, mountain climbers, skiers, outdoorsmen, lumberjacks, and even mule skinners. Many of the instructors were European skiers and mountaineers with years of mountain experience.

Several years of training in the Colorado and Alaska mountains followed, as the soldiers learned to live, move, and fight in harsh terrain and horrible weather conditions. Jenkins writes about men living in snow caves, patrolling on skis, climbing cliffs and rappelling, and using mules to carry supplies and ammunition.

In December 1944, the 10th Mountain Division shipped off to Italy to be tested in combat. The division’s first fight would be made on Riva Ridge, in cold, wet, icy weather, as a night attack against a dug-in, tenacious enemy. Surprise and speed were the attackers’ only advantages, and the division soldiers performed beautifully. The division climbed Riva Ridge, overwhelmed the defenders, and captured all of its objectives.

Other battles followed, including the assault on Mount Belvedere, and the division’s reputation as a seasoned, skilled, special organization grew. Jenkins stresses the rigors of mountain warfare training, small unit tactics and leadership, unique logistical requirements, and the need for individual initiative from all soldiers.

This is a well-done effort that clearly shows Jenkins’ admiration for these mountain soldiers. As he says, “The 10th Mountain Division, then, was an unprecedented force of elite soldiers that the Army didn’t know how to recruit, train, or employ, and they were inserted into a campaign American strategists were never completely sure they wanted to fight.”

— Reviews by William D. Bushnell

Member Books

NON-FICTION

Acolyte Leader’s Resource Guide. By Maj. Donna H. Barthle, USA-Ret.
This book is both a resource and a guide for acolyte leaders. It includes a short history of the acolyte ministry itself, an explanation of vestments and equipment (with illustrations), and specific details on the duties of each acolyte position. Chapters provide suggestions for training, scheduling, maintaining rosters, budgeting, writing reports for the vestry, and general supervision of acolytes and the program.
Morehouse Publishing, P.O. Box 1321, Harrisburg, PA 17105. (800) 877-0012. www.morehousepublishing.com. ISBN 0-8192-1937-1. 67 pp. $12.95 plus postage.

Parish Acolyte Guide. By Maj. Donna H. Barthle, USA-Ret.
This is the complete guidebook for individual acolytes. This handbook, written for acolytes of varying ages, includes information about the history of the ministry of acolytes, the duties of the various acolyte positions, the vestments they will wear, and the equipment they will use. Because each parish does things slightly differently, the guide includes space for acolytes to record specifics pertinent to their own parish and sanctuary.
Morehouse Publishing, P.O. Box 1321, Harrisburg, PA 17105. (800) 877-0012. www.morehousepublishing.com. ISBN 0-8192-1938-X. 64 pp. $7.95 postpaid.

Fear Faith Fact Fantasy. By Col. John A. Henderson, USAF-Ret.
This book can relieve anxiety over doubts about religion; it can relieve guilt over your failure to live up to others’ beliefs; it can ease the fear of an all-powerful, all knowing god; and finally it may give people the courage to speak out against religious bigotry and intolerance.
Parkway Publishers Inc., P.O. Box 3678, Boone, NC 28607. (800) 821-9155. www.parkwaypublishers.com. ISBN 1-887905-77-4. $23.45 postpaid.

Bread for the Soul. By Maj. Euell White, AUS-Ret
White has compiled 53 devotional lessons to encourage and build up the Christian in his or her daily Christian walk. Topics range from love, fear, grace, guilt, anger, and salvation.
Available from the author, 419 West Lakeside Drive, Florence, AL 35630-4156. (256) 766-7216. euellwhite@bellsouth.net. ISBN 1-55630-595-8. 144 pp. $13.89 postpaid.

Homeward Journey: The Poetry of Leslie R. Foor. Edited by Lt. Col. Joan L. Foor, USAR-Ret.
This is a unique collection of traditional poems written throughout a talented poet’s life. Take a journey with him, during his childhood, while he served his country in the Air Force, and during his final days when he struggled with Huntington’s Disease. Donations from sales of this book will be made to The Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
iUniverse Inc., 2021 Pine Lake Road Lincoln, NE 68512. (800) 376-1736. www.iuniverse.com. ISBN 0-595-29294-1. 140 pp. $14.95 plus postage.

More…Patriot Hearts. By Col. William T. Coffey Sr., USA-Ret., and Maj. William T. Coffey Jr., USA.
This book is a compilation of over 1,000 true and inspirational stories, letters, quotes, speeches, articles, poems, and the like about America and our national values. All the material in this book is from Americans about America, or in several cases from foreigners about America. The intent of this book is to develop within each of us a better understanding of our individual relationship with America and to inspire all of us to higher standards of citizenship.
Purple Mountain Publishing & Books, P.O. Box 77019 Colorado Springs, CO 80970-7019. (860) 747-4723. www.patriothearts.com. ISBN 0-9704124-3-6. 533 pp. $27.95 postpaid.

Been There, Done That: An American Story. By Lt. Col. Carl Group, USAF-Ret.
This book includes the reflections of a citizen patriot, his 78 years observing America, its traditions, leaders, and politics, with special emphasis devoted to the dangers to American freedoms embodied in the views of conservatives, who wrap themselves in the false patriotism of labeling dissent as treason.
Trafford Publishing, Suite 6E, 2333 Government St., Victoria, BC, Canada V8T 4P4. (888) 232-4444. www.trafford.com. ISBN 141201339-9. 116 pp. $ 14.95 postpaid.

A Warrior For Freedom. By Betty Carney Taussig.
Taussig has written this book about her father, Adm. Robert B. Carney, who served as chief of staff to Admiral Halsey in WWII. The book is based on a 1963 oral history of Carney, and illuminated with additional insights from Tausig’s conversations with her father during the last months of his life.
Sunflower University Press, 1531 Yuma, Box 1009, Manhattan, KS 66502-4228. (800) 258-1232. ISBN 0-89745-189-9. 225 pp. $ 30.45 postpaid.

FICTION

The River Flows. By CW04 Theodore R. Cromack, USAF-Ret
As the river flows, so does progress. Ellen’s reminiscences cover 16 generations, flowing across time and always close to the river. These generations represent the ethnic mixtures of the settlers among the hills and valleys that surround the river. Every generation faces difficult decisions and preservation of the river and surrounding land always seems at odds with progress.
Global Books, 9 Tanbark Circuit, Suite 1234, Werrington Downs, NSW 2747, Australia. www.globalbooks.com. ISBN 1-59109-685-5. 207 pp. $ 13.99 plus postage.

Soldiers Such As We. By Lt. Col. Frank E. Owens, USA-Ret.
This book is a fictional account of the experiences of four diverse service men during the Vietnam War portrayed against a historically accurate background. It describes how they cope with the challenges that arise for each of them at the peak of the war (1967-1968).
Xlibris Corp., 436 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19101. (888) 795-4274. www.xlibris.com. ISBN 1-4134-1030-8. 221 pp. $21.99 plus postage.

A Season of War. By 1st Lt. Clay Noia, USMC.
Narrated by the 14-year-old Jacky Barnes, this novel details life on the Home Front during the Second World War and the events that engulf Jacky, his family, and his friends. These events mirror the changes that were a rite of passage for America during seven bloody years of world war. The novel covers the major events that encompassed the war and is rich in details and fascinating facts as it tells an exciting story of arson, fear, friendship, and loyalty.
1st Books Library, 2595 Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. (800) 839-8640. www.1stbooks.com. ISBN 1-4033-6892-9. 343 pp. $19.50 plus postage.

Jimmy. By Maj. Gerald T. Richard, USA-Ret.
Jimmy Warton lands in war-torn Germany in December 1948 as a 15-year-old soldier. Culture shock, alcohol, and women land him in trouble. While awaiting court martial, Jimmy finds help from friends he didn’t know he had and finally gets alcohol free. An officer makes a surprising intervention that helps turn around Jimmy’s life. Acquitted at his trial through a little luck and some legal research, Jimmy can make a fresh start with a clean record.
1st Books Library, 2595 Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. (888) 280-7715. www.1stbooks.com. ISBN 1-4033-6160-6. 453 pp. $16.50 plus postage.

Remington Hills: Where Life Begins Anew. By Col. D. Michael Wallace, USAF-Ret.
An entertaining and delightful story about people whose paths cross in Texas’ newest and largest assisted living facility. A suspense novel about greed, risk, courage, and resurrection.
iUniverse Inc., 620 North 48th Street, Suite 201, Lincoln, NE (877) 288-4737. www.iUniverse.com. ISBN 0-595-29482-0. 449 pp. $24.95 plus postage.

Signal Chase. By Lt. Col. James D. Taylor, USAF-Ret.
A retired lieutenant colonel must return and destroy a foreign radar system that detects stealth planes and threatens American air power. Filled with real cutting-edge technology, this politically-charged thriller will satisfy even the most die-hard espionage junkies or armchair soldiers.
1st Books Library2595 Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. www.1stbooks.com. (888) 280-7715. ISBN 1-4140-1869-X. 332 pp. $15.50 plus postage.

MEMOIRS

For Love of Life and Country. By Lt. Col. Dean Hunter, USAF-Ret.
Hunter details his life, encapsulating the impulses, ideas, discoveries and beliefs that have formed and nurtured Americans over the past five decades. His invincible beliefs, his love of life, and devotion to his country carry him from the Boy Scouts of American through high school, into the U.S. Marine Corp’s rigorous boot camp training and on into combat in Korea. They take him to his 20-year service as an Air Force pilot, including five years as a fighter pilot in the Southeast Asia conflict.
Vantage Press, 516 West 34 Street, NY, NY 10001. (212) 736-1767. . ISBN 0-533-14468-X. 402 pp. $25.00 pp.

Journey of a Lifetime. By Lt. Col. Mary Ellen J. Brown, USAF-Ret.
Brown’s autobiography tells of her life and her career as a nurse. Many changes in the care of patients and the profession of nursing are documented. Stories about places from Washington State to South Carolina, England, Japan, and Vietnam are included. Brown hopes her story will encourage others to seek nursing as a career.
Xlibris Corp., 436 Walnut Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106. (888) 795-4274. www.xlibris.com. ISBN 1-4010-9220-9. 334 pp. $19.54 plus postage.