Naval War College Review Volume 57 Article 19 Number 2 Spring
2004 Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point Jonathan E. Czarnecki
David Lipsky
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Recommended Citation Czarnecki, Jonathan E. and Lipsky, David (2004) "Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point," Naval War College Review: Vol. 57 : No. 2 , Article 19. Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol57/iss2/19
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BOOK REVIEWS 183 Czarnecki and Lipsky: Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point
Dartmouth Conference. In other words, conference’s legacy will abide in the the meetings and briefings that the au- conflict-resolution techniques to which thor recounts, involving many layers of it gave life. the U.S. government, probably provided ROSE GOTTEMOELLER multiple points at which Dartmouth in- Senior Associate, sights could enter U.S. policy. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace The book’s second problem is rather scant recognition that Dartmouth was largely a “closed loop system” on the Russian side, involving “the same, lim- ited number of figures whom the Soviet Lipsky, David. Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2003. authorities permitted to have this kind 336pp. $25 of access to Americans.” Undoubtedly, the stalwarts of the cooperation from Steven Covey advises us to start with the Institute of the USA and Canada the end in mind, so here it is. If the and other institutes had links into the reader knows of a young person who Soviet policy-making system. Neverthe- aspires to attend a college-level military less, the limitations on who could par- academy, any one of them, give that ticipate meant that for many years the person this book to read, cover to cover. dialogue lacked access to key areas of David Lipsky has written an entertain- expertise, such as arms control, on the ing and sobering book about life as it is Russian side—a fact that Voorhees lived at the U.S. Military Academy. He freely acknowledges. did so by living in Highland Falls, New It is also worth considering whether the York, for four years and by having un- benefits of a close and continuing rela- precedented daily access to the cadet tionship with a few chosen people were, students and their mentors. The book in the end, the dialogue’s downfall. In inspires, using a quiet style of observa- the 1990s, as more and more Russian tion that captures the poignancy and experts from a variety of institutions irony of moments without being became available, they migrated into a judgmental. plethora of international security and Lipsky, a journalist for Rolling Stone policy forums. Because it was full to magazine, periodically chronicles mod- capacity, however, the Dartmouth ern college campus life. He admits to Conference was not always able to ac- having been reluctant to take on the commodate this “new blood.” One West Point assignment, because he had Russian participant expressed the di- been brought up not to like the mili- lemma well: “We have lost our audi- tary. Jann Wenner, his publisher and ence. The government isn’t interested, boss, convinced him otherwise. and besides our institutes have lost So, as the author states in the preface, their influence.” he learned to road-march, live and nav- Despite these problems, the Dartmouth igate in the woods, recognize ranks, and process clearly played a vital role in de- absorb other basic military knowledge. veloping communications between the Along the way, he experienced an epiph- two superpowers during the Cold War. any: “Not only was the Army not the As this book makes clear, the awful thing my father had imagined, it
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184 NAVAL WAR COLLEGE REVIEW Naval War College Review, Vol. 57 [2004], No. 2, Art. 19
was the sort of America he always pic- graduates, to the astonishment and tured when he explained...hisbest admiration of his peers. There is the hopes for the country. A place where ev- “reluctant leader,” who only wants to eryone tried their hardest. A place where play football but is transformed into a people—or at least most people—looked first-rate tactical leader who leads a out for each other. A place where peo- rag-tag orienteering team to a moral ple—intelligent, talented people—said victory. honestly that money wasn’t what drove Not all of Lipsky’s stories are inspira- them. A place where people spoke tional, however. He also discusses, openly about their feelings and about without judgment, a very real phenom- trying to make themselves better.” enon in the military—the gap between The author followed a class at West teaching high standards and values, and Point from first (plebe) year through practicing them. So objective are graduation. Lipsky finds that the stu- Lipsky’s observations that one wonders dents there experience elements of cam- if he realizes what he’s reporting. The pus life not unlike those on civilian most moving story, and a prime exam- campuses: sex, cliques, the Internet, al- ple of high standards and values, is the cohol, and in a very minor way, drugs. one of a department head—a combat He also learns to appreciate the acad- veteran lieutenant colonel who sets for emy’s motto: “Duty, Honor, and Coun- cadets exceptionally high standards and try.” As one student reflects on the inspires them to achieve those stan- experience, he states that “becoming a dards (one cadet preserved the stub of military officer isn’t just a profession, this officer’s cigar in a plastic bag as an it’s a calling.” Lipsky illustrates how life icon). When one of the colonel’s subor- at West Point is not easy. The tension dinate officers produces a highly con- and stress between the normal tempta- troversial and politically incorrect tions of modern American life and the report, the colonel takes responsibility peculiar structures, strictures, and for it, protecting his subordinate from norms necessary to become a commis- an investigation that could end his sioned U.S. Army officer sometimes career. However, for his actions, the prove too much. colonel was dismissed from the Army However, those who persevere make for because he “failed to exhibit the three the most interesting stories. We learn Army values: Honor, Respect, and Loy- of the “golden boy,” a self-motivated alty.” There is true irony. cadet who finds himself unable to chose Still, this is a small affair in the effort to infantry as a branch and anguishes mold character at West Point. Let the whether he should “take five and fly” cynicism and skepticism wait for now. to live with his true love or follow the This work is a testimony to the eternal calling. There is the “sad sack,” who, hopefulness and idealism of youth. because he has a terrible time perform- Read it and remember. ing physical tasks, is routinely targeted JONATHAN E. CZARNECKI by his tactical officers for separation Associate Professor, Joint Maritime Operations and yet stubbornly hangs on and Naval War College, Monterey Program
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