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Title: Dress Gray: A Woman at West Point by Donna Peterson, Ed Eakin ISBN: 0-89015-782-0 Publisher: Eakin Publications Pub. Date: October, 1990 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $17.95

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (4 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Another hidden treasure in the book world
Comment: As an avid reader of career stories, I ordered this book through interlibrary loan. I wish some publisher would reissue this title, as it's much better than I would expect from its out of print status. Ms. Peterson should have searched more widely for an agent and a publisher -- and an editor.

The book is extremely well-written (perhaps due to the editing of Ed Eakin, who undoubtedly is related to the publisher). What probably kept it off a lot of shelves is the introduction, where Ms. Peterson emphasizes that she was "harassed" and "betrayed." It's all too easy for a reader to say, "Oh no, not another one of those. Maybe she was a loser."

In fact, Ms. Peterson was a sterling cadet. By her own account, she had a challenging but not particularly stressful sojourn at West Point. She was a natural, coming from a background that included such diverse activities as judo and cheerleading. Her room-cleaning abilities were legendary.

Throughout her four years, she attracted great-looking dates, sympathetic leaders and a wonderful sponsor. She shows real humor, describing how she coped with a spazzy roommate during "Beast," the summer of basic training. Through her report of this episode, we learn about West Point's emphasis on "cooperate and graduate."
More seriously, we get a cadet's eye view of the Honor system when Ms. Peterson describes her service on Honor Board.

Throughout the four years, Ms. Peterson kept her humor and her standards. She accepted leadership roles easily and apparently managed to get good grades. In turn, she admits (without getting maudlin), West Point gave her some of the most wonderful memories of her life.

Her only setback -- the "betrayal" she mentions in the intro -- came when a female Tac officer failed to respond responsibly to jealous complaints by males who were competing with Donna for a coveted command slot senior year. A female roommate inadvertently contributed to the problem.

The only other flaw is the absence of a section describing what happened afterward. We get a very abbreviated description -- a sentence of two about a few characters. What happened to Mary Ann, the first-year roommate? What did the author do as a commander of helicopter companies? How did West Point really affect her later life? Perhaps she needs to write another book.

If this book becomes available, I'd buy it. Some publisher out there is missing a bet. Meanwhile, investigate your local library and interlibrary loan.

Rating: 5
Summary: Great Book!
Comment: I am a Court-at-Law Judge who just came across a copy of this book in a library recently and thought it looked interesting. That was an understatement! This book was well written, funny, thought provoking and entertaining. In fact, it was written so well that at times I felt as if I was actually there watching these events unfold. When I finished the book, I felt as if I had just graduated from 4 years at West Point. A marvelous effort for a first time author. This book should make Oprah's Book Club! Bravo and 5 stars!

Rating: 5
Summary: Please Write More Books!
Comment: Wonderful book! I attended West Point and I found myself with tears in my eyes reading parts of this book. It was nice to recall so many of the (rare) comical moments at the Point as well. I highly recommend this book for any graduate who wants to remember how it felt to be young,scared, excited, confused and far away from home as a new plebe! Best of all, it is an interesting read...you just keep turning the pages! I can't wait to read her next book! Please, please keep writing books, Donna!