Brief Points: An Almanac for Parents and Friends of U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen

By Ross MacKenzie

Book Overview

The Naval Academy's culture is a unique and sometimes baffling phenomenon to the outside world, but with this newly updated guide in hand relatives and friends of midshipmen will find answers to all the questions they might have about Academy life. Since it was first published more than a decade ago, parents have relied on the almanac for insights into their sons' and daughters' experiences at Annapolis. Now the son of the original author has taken on the responsibility of bringing the popular reference up to date. An Academy graduate, active duty naval officer, and former English instructor at the Academy, the younger Mackenzie makes full use of his intimate knowledge of Annapolis to fill in the gaps. Along with the latest facts on car ownership, dating policies, athletic requirements, and disciplinary demands, you'll now find a useful guide to Internet resources. A midshipman profile and a dictionary of Midspeak completes the picture in a book whose title recalls the midshipmen's own manual, Reef Points, but extends its concept for outsiders seeking practical information about the Academy, the Navy, and Annapolis. Prospective applicants, graduates, newcomers to the USNA staff, and visitors seeking a memento will also be attracted to this useful guide.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591145066
• ISBN13: 9781591145066
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent anxiety-reliever and rapport-builder

This book is great for the parent who wonders what's next and how to continue to relate to a future Plebe and Midshipman. Thanks to the author for writing it and the seller for offering it.

THE Authoritative Book for Parents of Midshipmen.

As a contributor to Ross Mackenzie's newest edition of Brief Points, I can vouch for the accuracy of this guide for Parents and Friends of USNA Midshipmen. Ross has put countless hours into revising and updating this edition with all of the latest and most accurate information available from every possible source.From the latest Internet resources to the detailed assistance of current Mids, Ross has compiled THE Definitive Resource for parents. The Glossary of USNA Terms is worth the purchase price alone. It has expanded to over 70 pages of definitions of "Midspeak" translated into easily understood "Mom and Dad" English.Brief Points is a well written and expansive explanation of all things USNA... the traditions, the customs and the quirks of life as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy.This is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the today's Naval Academy.

Excellent book for prospective mids and family!

I recently finished reading this book (in one sitting...it's not very long) and highly recommend it to prospective mids and their families. The book does an excellent job of explaining the intricacies of the academy which are hard to find from other sources. Details of uniforms, grading systems, career outlooks, organization and many other topics are covered. This book is very detailed though, it is in no way a story. It is purely facts about the academy, no personal experiences or opinions. I will be attending the academy as a mid soon and although I live in Annapolis and have talked to many mids, their was tons of info. in this book that i either did not know or was not clear on. There are very few pictures (only like 2) which is the reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5.

Excellent book for understanding USNA

As a father of a high schooler applying to the Naval Academy, I found the book very informative. It gave me, an outsider, a good feel for the what its like on the yard. I highly recommend it for any parent, sibling, relative, friend, or business associate of a Midshipman or alumni. Good "gouge."

Learn the lingo of the yard

"Brief Points" is a must-have for any military buff or relative of a Naval Academy student. A spin-off of the book "Reef Points" which is issued to every new plebe at the Naval Academy,"Brief Points" is a comprehensive guide to the wit and terminology that all Naval Academy midshipmen learn during their stay in The Yard. A soon to be a plebe myself (this week in fact), I gave this book to my parents to help them understand me when I begin talking in military lingo! This book is good for friends and family of any new Naval Academy midshipmen. Another book I recommend along with this one is "A Sense of Honor" by James Webb which gives readers a glimse into the life of a Naval Academy Plebe (Freshmen). There are no other books out there like these two that give readers a real life portrayal of the United States Naval Academy.