The Long Gray Line

The American Journey of West Point's Class of 1966

By: Rick Atkinson

Narrated by: Adam Barr, Rick Atkinson

"A story of epic proportions [and] an awesome feat of biographical reconstruction."—The Boston Globe

**This program includes an original foreword, read by Rick Atkinson, and exclusive to the audiobook, as well as a bonus conversation between the author and Ty Seidule**

For more on Rick Atkinson's research and writing, please visit revolutiontrilogy.com

A classic of its kind, The Long Gray Line is the twenty-five-year saga of the West Point class of 1966. With a novelist's eye for detail, Rick Atkinson illuminates this powerful story through the lives of three classmates and the women they loved—from the boisterous cadet years, to the fires of Vietnam, to the hard peace and internal struggles that followed the war.

The rich cast of characters also includes Douglas MacArthur, William C. Westmoreland, and a score of other memorable figures. The class of 1966 straddled a fault line in American history, and Atkinson's masterly book speaks for a generation of American men and women about innocence, patriotism, and the price we pay for our dreams.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

Critic reviews

“Enormously rich in detail and written with a novelist's brilliance… A very moving book.” —James Salter, The Washington Post Book World

“A story of epic proportions [and] awesome feat of biographical reconstruction… A difficult book to put down.” —Cullen Murphy, The Boston Globe

“The Long Gray Line is a profoundly moving saga in which the U.S. Military Academy at West Point stands center stage. In mufti or olive drab, at peace or war, amidst joy or grief, in life or death, the academy shapes all. The author has captured its ethos. If you want to see a slice of the nation's manhood in a drama of troubled times and find its heart, feel its emotions, sense its dilemmas, then read this book. It is a stunning story.” —Colin L. Powell

“More of a biography of a generation than of a class at West Point… Stark, shocking, jolting.” —John Eisenhower, Chicago Tribune (front page review)

“Journalism elevated to narrative history, a book like Neil Sheehan's Pulitzer Prize-winning A Bright Shining Lie. But better.” —USA Today

“A work as masterfully executed as it was conceived.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

Those days will return

History repeats so a many say. The learning here is that the book reads timeless, Vietnam like yesterday. My neighbors of such vigor are now on the dying edge. The reading helped my perspective. Killing in war more long term affect then the one off murder Dostoevsky perfected.

Loved It

Wonderful story, well told, well read. Wish it had gone a little further in the lives of the main characters or at least some kind of epilogue. Really liked the interview with the author at the end.

This book and the stories it told embodied excellence on a level human beings seldom achieve!

I am 51, and this book gave me a sense of understanding I’ve been searching for and had not found. May GOD bless the author and all those who serve this Nation in any capacity. As citizens of a republic we all have a duty to serve, if only to diligently seek out the truth in order to cast an informed vote based on facts and not emotions. The truth is knowledge you must earn, and it starts with the effort of paying attention to the lessons of the past. I feel that “The Long Grey Line” shared with me some truths that will help me to become a better citizen and a better person. Thank you!

Absolutely Wonderdul Book

Wow, what a story. What a book! After 30 years in the military myself and an additional almost 10 years as a civil servant working with the military, I thought I knew everything there was to know about our armed forces. I was wrong. this story is both heartwarming, heartbreaking, and everything else in between. I loved how such a complex history was personalized in such a way that it seems to tell the entire history story of West Point. It is one of the most informative and best books I've read.

The stories of the soldiers when they were in Vietnam. Their stories of their time at West Point we're fabulous also.

The story of the wall was super interesting, but I would have preferred more stories about their time in Vietnam.

The main characters

I liked experiencing a part of their lives through the narratives. There was nothing about the book that I disliked. I wish the book shared the experience of at least one African’s experience from class of 1966 one hundred years after the Buffalo Soldiers establishment.

Should be required reading

I feel so very fortunate to have stumbled across this excellent book. It does a fantastic job of educating the reader on the West Point experience, and also helping us understand what the commitment requires of our children on behalf of their country… and how it can be a very different experience for each. It gave me an insider’s view of army life for the officer corps by sharing the true life stories from the class of 1966. This book had a profound affect on me and I’m better for having experienced it. The Long Gray Line should be required reading for every American to help all of us appreciate the sacrifices our military personnel make to keep us safe and free.

Must read for any aspiring officer

I had the fortune to read The Long Gray Line in high school as I considered my options post high school. It inspired, informed and cautioned me as I chose the path of an army officer. I’ve now revisited it more than 20
years later and it means even more to me. The experiences, hopes, fears and aspirations of the class of 66 are as close to a universal experience for any army officer as exists. Anyone considering a stint in the military must read and reflect on this masterpiece.

The decades of sacrifice by veterans

Vietnam war was a generational war that continues to shape America. The 18 year olds in 1966 are now the 80 year old veterans who have endured not just the war but also have endured the post war changes in our country. The story of the battle for the Vietnam Memorial could stand alone as a reflection of our post Vietnam emotions.

His First Book-It Stands With All the Others

I happened upon this book accidentally as Audible promoted it to its readers of military history. I have read his trilogy on World War II, which I found fascinating, so I ventured into this one. I have not been disappointed. I place it alongside his more renowned books. A great read.