The West Point Story

U.S. Landmark Books #70

by Red Reeder, Nardi Reeder Campion

The West Point Story

Genres: History

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Colonel Russell Potter Reeder Jr., who wrote as "Red" Reeder, was an officer in the United States Army. He wrote children's books and military nonfiction.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as a boy and enjoyed it. Upon re-reading it 50 years later found it to be fun but by now quite outdated.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is meant for ages 9 through 15, but I always wanted to know about West Point, so picked up this Landmark book at a used bookstore. Published in 1956, the book covers West Pointers from its founding through that time period. West Point's beginnings did not foretell what the institution is today, and had some tough times keeping together. The Civil War was led by leaders who were classmates at the academy, and later on, World Wars 1 and 2. The black and white photographs round out the book, giving a small glimpse of cadets in the 1940s and 1950s.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA for very young...maybe 6th grade. It was cute...but a little silly it was little boy humor.Arthur

I read this again a few years later. Leanred several new things about the different Superintendents.
Understand MacArthur a little better. He was a different type of leader. Effective, but the fact his Mother lived at the Hotel Thayer while he was a cadet (at least a good part of the time) is strange. His Father was in the Army serving in the Philippines.

[#Marlee4ever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Book Ever!!!!! So awesome!!! Total History book, but it is fun at the same time! I would so recommend to anybody looking for a good history book.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The West Point Story, by Red Reeder, is geared for middle schoolers and it is a great survey book on the start of this great institution. Reeder tells of the major events and people at West Point over the years through part of the 1950s and you can tell it was written in 1956 in his insensitive description of an overweight boy scout named Stubby who is on a tour of West Point in the first chapter. Putting that aside, the rest of the chapters offer an interesting variety of key historical events and people who were shaped or influenced by West Point. It is a bit painful to read about the Indian Wars battling the "savages," another insensitive cringe worthy moment in the book. I learned a lot about characters such as Benedict Arnold and Robert E. Lee. It's worth a read as an adult who has perspective. It a teachable moment for the younger reader who is guided by a wise adult.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a good book for people of all ages! It has fairly large type for the old & the young. The illustrations are well-done. It offers lots of information about the establishment of west Point, its ups and downs, and its accomplishments.

[Noah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great small collection of interesting West Point stories and good story telling style. Entertaining bedtime book for my kids (7, 5 and 3 yo) and for me. Great introduction to West Point and interesting enough to keep kids' attention.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history presented in this book about West Point was very interesting.