It’s a fascinating insight into West Point. Samet, a civilian professor of English literature wrestles with what to teach plebes. Looking at a sea of students told on the one hand to be open-minded, critical thinkers and on the other to operate as obedient, loyal followers of orders she wonders what readings to select for 18-year-olds who upon graduation will be leading soldiers in battles in Afghanistan and Iraq. The simultaneous insider’s and outsider’s view of the Academy was very interesting and Samet is at her best when she focuses there. Surprisingly, she’s least interesting when she references English literature, her specialty. And while she writes well there were long passages that left me glassy-eyed and bored. Too many long passages.