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A review by mandyfreddy
Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point by David Lipsky
5.0
This is a biased rating because I read this book about four times in high school. I decided to re-read now because the author David Lipsky was mentioned so often in my deep-dive hyperfixation on Bennington College/the literary Brat Pack, so I wanted to read this from a lens of the author's skill and background instead of a West Point analysis. But, now I think I will re-read my favorite West Point literature in preparation for when I start to teach there next summer!
Anyway, I love this book. It's not perfect - his prose is beautiful in some parts (I'll include some quotes foundational to how I feel about West Point) but I feel the same way I did in high school about certain parts of the overall flow - BORING, sorry, haha. He just chooses odd times to cut away from a cadet's narrative, or an interpersonal dynamic playing out, or some of the most beautiful writing you've ever read about sacrifice and leadership and wanting to belong to something meaningful, to something sex/drugs/rock and roll that is more aligned to his Rolling Stone roots. I get it, but the book is so lovely even without trying to suss out how cadets get into trouble or skirt the rules. But his unparalleled access and analysis is a wonderful viewpoint into the strange fishbowl where I spent four years of my life, and the institution that shaped both my family of origin and now my current family I have made for myself.
"I mean, this place gives you so much, and asks for so little."
"'Cause I loved it so much before I came - I didn't have the right to love it as much as I did."
"To her surprise, her thoughts slide back to West Point. 'I miss the feeling I had when it was all brand new,' she says. 'That overwhelming mixture of pride, awe, and patriotism. I'd give anything to do it all over again. I'd do a lot of things differently. And I'd appreciate the little things more - like the walk back from Thayer Hall, when the leaves are starting to change. I never thought I'd miss it as much as I do.'"
Anyway, I love this book. It's not perfect - his prose is beautiful in some parts (I'll include some quotes foundational to how I feel about West Point) but I feel the same way I did in high school about certain parts of the overall flow - BORING, sorry, haha. He just chooses odd times to cut away from a cadet's narrative, or an interpersonal dynamic playing out, or some of the most beautiful writing you've ever read about sacrifice and leadership and wanting to belong to something meaningful, to something sex/drugs/rock and roll that is more aligned to his Rolling Stone roots. I get it, but the book is so lovely even without trying to suss out how cadets get into trouble or skirt the rules. But his unparalleled access and analysis is a wonderful viewpoint into the strange fishbowl where I spent four years of my life, and the institution that shaped both my family of origin and now my current family I have made for myself.
"I mean, this place gives you so much, and asks for so little."
"'Cause I loved it so much before I came - I didn't have the right to love it as much as I did."
"To her surprise, her thoughts slide back to West Point. 'I miss the feeling I had when it was all brand new,' she says. 'That overwhelming mixture of pride, awe, and patriotism. I'd give anything to do it all over again. I'd do a lot of things differently. And I'd appreciate the little things more - like the walk back from Thayer Hall, when the leaves are starting to change. I never thought I'd miss it as much as I do.'"