The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is one of America's 
oldest and most revered institutions. Since its founding in 1802 it 
has prepared young men—and recently, young women—for careers 
as officers in the army and for a lifetime of service to the nation. 
The distinguished record of Academy graduates in war and peace 
has earned West Point a reputation as one of the world's premier 
leader-development institutions.

    West Point celebrated its bicentennial in 2002. In honor of the 
milestone, the USMA Department of History hosted a multi-disciplinary 
conference that provided an opportunity for serious study of the 
Academy and its place in American society. The topics included the 
Academy's role in developing officer professionalism, its influence on 
the careers of distinguished graduates, institutional challenges and 
changes, the experiences of women and minorities at West Point, and 
the evolution of the academic curriculum. The twenty-four chapters in 
this volume examine these issues and reflect the rich scholarship of 
the bicentennial conference.

    The Academy has undergone dramatic changes during its long 
history. As it begins its third century, however, continuity—not change— 
is what most characterizes West Point and the Corps of Cadets. By 
perpetuating the noble values of the profession of arms, the Academy 
continues to accomplish its vital mission of producing leaders of 
character for the nation. In this regard, the Corps of today still treads 
"where they of the Corps have trod."  

_________________________________________________________

LANCE BETROS is an active-duty colonel in the U.S. Army.  He is 
stationed at United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, 
as the Head of the Department of History. His editorial work on West 
Point: Two Centuries and Beyond has led to his current project, a 
book-length institutional history of the Military Academy. He can be 
reached for interview at lance.betros@usma.edu.


What people are saying about this book

". . . the diversity of these various chapters provides evidence that 
West Point as an institution has been traditionally ahead of the curve 
regarding social change. But this is not a sugar-coated volume. . . . 
there is no attempt in this volume to portray West Point as an institution 
void of warts. . . . West Point is an anthology that goes beyond 
descriptive narrative . . . it provides reference material on the United 
States Military Academy that exceeds the breadth and depth of any 
similar book. Scholars and the general public will find this book 
interesting if they are receptive to understanding the many issues which 
surround the governance of America's oldest military academy."—Military 
History of the West

"Anyone interested in the history of West Point should own this book. 
However, it also has much of interest for general military historians and 
military sociologists, as well as for anyone dealing with issues of 
leadership and military professionalism."—Parameters, U.S. Army War 
College Quarterly

"This is an excellent read . . . very well done and very thorough."—On 
Point: The Journal of Army History

Look for a review of this book in Reference & Research Book News 
(February 2005) at www.booknews.com and clicking on "View Current 
Issues."

"A highly recommended and scholarly contribution to American Military
History collections. . . ."—Midwest Book Review

Look for a review of this book on-line at http://www.books-on-line.com/
bol/BookDisplay.cfm?All=0&BookNum=30457


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