As a person who has had a fair amount of experience with The Citadel, I can tell you that Pat Conroy's descriptions are very accurate, particularly for the time frame. How many times have you heard a soldier talk about how it was so much harder back in "the old Army"? That's because it's true across the board, even when it comes down to military schools.
One thing I love about Pat Conroy is that even though his work is fictional, he writes from experience. He did graduate from The Citadel (or, the Carolina Military Institute, as it is named in the book) during a time when integration was just getting its start in the South, so I can only assume that he probably saw scenes very similar to some of the harsh ones depicted in the novel.
Fans of military stories and tales from the Civil Rights movement will be able to appreciate this one. Pat Conroy, as usual, paints such colorful and well detailed pictures of the South as it really is, warts and all. At the same time, he also showcases everything that is wonderful about the spirit of people and the cultural richness of the area. Conroy's book, The Lords of Discipline included, are pretty much the clearest idea of life in the Lowcountry that you can get without actually being present in that time and place.
One thing I love about Pat Conroy is that even though his work is fictional, he writes from experience. He did graduate from The Citadel (or, the Carolina Military Institute, as it is named in the book) during a time when integration was just getting its start in the South, so I can only assume that he probably saw scenes very similar to some of the harsh ones depicted in the novel.
Fans of military stories and tales from the Civil Rights movement will be able to appreciate this one. Pat Conroy, as usual, paints such colorful and well detailed pictures of the South as it really is, warts and all. At the same time, he also showcases everything that is wonderful about the spirit of people and the cultural richness of the area. Conroy's book, The Lords of Discipline included, are pretty much the clearest idea of life in the Lowcountry that you can get without actually being present in that time and place.
