<p>All of this has been said before, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to start a new thread on books and resources that helped your child get prepared. Take what I say with a grain of salt, since my daughter is still a High School Junior, but these are books that have helped us and have been recommended other places here.</p>
<p>Naval Academy Candidate Handbook: How to Prepare, How to Get In, How to Survive, by William Smallwood. There are equivalent books by the same author on the Air Force Academy Candidate and the West Point Candidate. Great information, especially to get you pointed in the right direction.</p>
<p>How to Win ROTC Scholarships: An In-Depth, Behind-The-Scenes Look At The ROTC Scholarship Selection Process, by C.W. Brewer. Excellent book, the title tells it all.</p>
<p>And a hat tip to Momof1 for recommending Absolutely American: Four Years At West Point. No matter what Academy you or your child is looking towards you need to read this book and get them to read it. I think it belongs right there with the others.</p>
<p>Does anyone else have ideas on what my daughter, and the other candidates, should be reading or checking out?</p>
<p>Books our son read/is reading (geared towards USNA) that would highly recommend:
-:Candidate Handbook"/Smallwood
-"Absolutely American" / David Lipsky
-"Brief Points" (USNA): for parents but good read for candidate
-"Reef Points" (changes each incoming year but can at least look over info...available in USNA bookstore...our son's BGO sent him a copy)
-"In Harm's Way": Doug Stanton
-"Faith of My Fathers": John McCain (gift from BGO)
-"A Sense of Honor": Webb/Naval Institute Press
-"Duty First": Ed Ruggero
-"Tales form Annapolis" (Zino-Laric): recollections but bits of good info
-"United States Navy/Illustrated Driectory": Hearn
-DVD: "Surving West Point" : National Geographic (<em>a must-see applicable for any academy)
-Darkside: Deutermann</em> </p>
<p>*Darkside is good break....mystery novel set at the USNA....was a page-turner for our son and he had me read it as well-just proves you can set a mystery anywhere and the legendary "Dark tunnels" of old Fort Severn is as good a place as any....</p>
<p>Can't wait to see what others recommend....I bet our son can't wait to add more books to his summer reading list!! :/</p>
<p>The Surviving West Point DVD was fabulous & I would highly suggest it for the kids wishing to apply (& their parents). It was so very well done. Another good read is The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy. Yes, I know, it is based on The Citadel & not the service academies. However, it does shed light on the mysteries of the regimental lifestyle. In addition - why some of the hazing protocols have become prohibited. Scary! Some folks who have read the book might not know that Mr. Conroy actually does have a deep love for his old alma mater. He's written many articles on the matter you can find online. Navy2010 gave some really great ones.</p>
<p>There is also a DVD on the history of West Point. It is based on the book that was published for the bicentennial. It will be very interesting for the history buffs.</p>
<p>If you-or your child-reads "Absolutely American," make sure to read it all the way through. At the time I did my son was considering West Point...reading about half way through the book, I though to myself, "no way do I want him going THERE!" This was based on some things that go on, the training, the people you encounter. But once I read the whole book, my outlook had changed and I felt I would be proud to have my son go there or to ANY of the academies.</p>