Absolutely American (Abridged): Four Years at West Point Audiobook

" One of my all time favorites. This books provides the reader with the best parts ofilitary and college life when your adult life is just getting started. "

" One of the best books I have ever read "

" I heard the author interviewed while my son was in the process of applying for admission to West Point and bought it for him to gain a better understanding of life as a cadet. After he finished it, I read it. Then I read it again after my son's second year at West Point. That second read was much more relevant to me, having seen what my son had experienced to-date. My son graduated from West Point in 2008 and is now 4 years into active service in the army. I've been approached by a number of parents for advice about their child's application to West Point. I tell them that Absolutely American should be required reading for their child as well as themselves. Even if you don't anticipate ever having a direct connection with West Point, this book is a great way to gain insight into the average life of a student at a military academy. After reading it, you'll never look at those cadets on TV during the Army/Navy game in quite the same way. "

" I was curious about this book from the get-go. I had just finished a book about The Citadel and was interested in how this compared. Another interesting feature was the author, David Lipsky who wrote for "Rolling Stone" and how he would write such a book. those in the Academy at this time were the first class to graduate after 9/11. that event changed everything in the lives of the cadets to the institution itself.It was a great read. We are blessed with such dedicated men and women who serve our country during this dangerous time. "

" Fascinating read. Sept 11 changed the game for everyone, but especially these cadets. "

" Quite interesting. Reads almost like a novel. "

" a riveting in-depth look at West Point, the author follows two classes, freshmen and senior, for 4 years. It's hard reading it after September 11, when in 2000 the kids are talking about how they're probably going to Bosnia, and yet you know better that they're going to Afghanistan, and their lives, their futures are shortly going to be changed forever, much more so than most of the rest of us Americans. I have always found high school and college a fascinating time-period, as kids learn so much, grow so much during this years, and these kids are no different, just because they're in the military. The author has no agenda. Initially West Point wouldn't let him come unless he would allow them to vet his writing ahead of time, he said absolutely not, they let him come anyway, and they so liked his story in Rolling Stone, that they had no problem with him staying on for 4 years, which is certainly impressive for West Point's administration. You see these kids fall in and out of love, struggle academically, push and pull against parents and teachers' expectations, and debate their place in the world and their future careers. This is a very impressive book, about some extremely impressive young men and women. "

" I really liked this book. It was an eyeopener into the goings on at West Point. The style of writing was a little muddled at points but the overall message made up for it "

" I found this one during writing a book about a young woman who attends USMA, and it was one of the finest looks into the ambiance and lifestyle of the Academy (And I read quite a few of them). "

" I looked into attending West Point for college and actually had a very good friend that went there. This was very in-depth of what happens here and how cadets are formed from entering freshman to graduating officers in the military. "

" The fascinating part of this story is how the writer (who writes for Rolling Stone Magazine) is surprised by what he finds among the Cadets at West Point. "

" A sympathetic and intimate look at a cohort of West Point cadets as they go through the academy. "

" Interesting insight into what the military academy is really like. An interesting read if nothing else. "

" Well writeen, humorous and insightful....loved reading ti before Jon headed off to West Point! "

" This was a really interesting read, a behind the scenes glimpse of a world I would never otherwise get to see. "

" Fairly interesting journalistic piece on West Point cadets. It has not made me admire the military any more, though. "

" Great book about what it takes to get through West Point and the diverse cadets who enlist. A tribute to tradition, honor and sacrifice. "

" It was interesting to learn about a U.S. institution with which I am so unfamiliar. The book was easy to read. "

" I do think this is a good book, but I only gave it 3 stars because it brought back bad memories of West Point!! Plus, some of the featured cadets are my classmates and big dorks. However, it also brought back funny and entertaining memories of West Point... which is why I liked it. "

" read this not too long after 2001 and it was awesome. having taught about 10-15 West Point officers and gotten to know a little about them, this helped me understand. "

" Absolutely fantastic prose, and a deft hand with characterization and setting, too. An excellent book. "

" Great insight into west point. "

" I just couldn't get into this. I kept thinking about how different a book it would have been if written after September 2001. I did learn a lot about West Point which I knew almost nothing about. "

" The author portrays West Point as a somewhat unpleasant experience that you really have to dedicate yourself to in order to make it through, but which offers a valuable payoff in the end. The book was a little like that too..........except for the payoff at the end... "

" One of my all time favorites. This books provides the reader with the best parts ofilitary and college life when your adult life is just getting started. "

" Saw an interview with the author talking about this project, fascinating book. "

" Another 3.5 starring book if half stars were available. Started off slow and then picked up: 3 stars for the first 150 pages and 4.5 stars for the last 150. "

" A good understanding of West Point, but its sequence of events can get confusing at times. "

" If you or your child is interested in, or is attending, a military academy- this is a must read. Interesting,insightful and funny. "

" Fairly interesting journalistic piece on West Point cadets. It has not made me admire the military any more, though. "

" The fascinating part of this story is how the writer (who writes for Rolling Stone Magazine) is surprised by what he finds among the Cadets at West Point. "

" A fascinating and very readable look at what brings students to West Point, and what it's like once there. "

" This is a wonderful book regardless of your opinion of war, military school, etc. <br/>The author was a Rolling Stone reporter who went to WP kicking and screaming to do a story, and ended up living there; hence the book. <br/> "

" I really liked this book. It was an eyeopener into the goings on at West Point. The style of writing was a little muddled at points but the overall message made up for it "