Lords of Discipline

Years before it became a center of controversy for its traditional exclusion of women, South Carolina's venerable military academy The Citadel inspired novelist Pat Conroy (who is one of its graduates) to craft a powerful and vivid story he called "The Lords of Discipline.

Publishers Weekly

As Conroy's tale of military college secrets reaches its 30th anniversary, Dan John Miller brings a new audio edition to life with passion and attention to detail, and the author himself offers an insightful introduction. Miller brings complexity and nuance to his portrayal of the mysterious St. Croix family, the old-money Charleston blue bloods who provide a home away from home for protagonist Will McLean. Miller recreates the mix of Lowcountry and upstate Carolina dialects on campus and also skillfully adds the voices of Will's Italian-American roommates Dante "Pig" Pignetti and Mark Santoro into the mix. The hazing sessions, where a vicious secret society of cadets use multiple forms of torture to preserve the racial purity of their school, have never sounded more harrowing, nor has the author's point--that there is exists a very dark side to obedience--been clearer. A Dial paperback. (May)

Pat Conroy's novels are populated with domineering fathers, Southern belles of steel, and inexorable tragedy; all are elements the author is familiar with from his own life, and he has drawn on them to create unforgettable books. He is sometimes accused of florid prose, but he never fails to draw attention -- and readers -- with his passionate stories.