The Recipient's Son: A Novel of Honor
"As the son of a Medal of Honor winner, Donald Durago is preferentially  admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy.  His father received the medal  posthumously for heroism in the Vietnam War, and Donald has had a  particularly difficult time dealing with it.  As he tries to work his  way through his angst, Donald comes perilously close to being expelled.   He is charged with harassing a female classmate who also is politically  connected and blames Donald for her predicament.  Along with clearing  his name, Donald has to come to grips with his past.  Verdict:   Phillips's second novel is a compelling and well-written tale of life in  the naval academy in the 1990s.  Values were changing, and what was  seen as normal rites of passage are now condemned as illegal, criminal,  and grounds for dismissal.  As Donald fights the charges, he learns a  great deal about himself.  Recommended for anyone who is interested in  life in the modern military."--LIBRARY JOURNAL"Sensitively told, The Recipient's Son is a stirring tale of a young man achieving maturity under trying circumstances."--Galveston Daily News"Alpha codes, Heinz Lenz, dixie cups, Form Twos, plebe rates, SCUBA  diving, and illicit sex in the Yard. What's not to enjoy in this  convincing novel of the Academy in the 90s? 'Outstanding, Sir!'"--David Poyer, USNA Class of 1971, author of The Return of Philo T. McGiffin, The Weapon, and The Towers"Stephen Phillips tells a gripping story of duty at a time when we need  to be reminded of it most. Phillips' story blossoms from man's most  complicated human emotion--the legacy of hero-father to  shadowed-son--and ultimately of the triumph of one young midshipman's  character given a chance to shine by the great Naval Service."--Capt. Alexander S. Martin, USMCR, USNA Class of 2004, Proceedings contributor, President and co-founder of Skye Maritime"A candid, poignant, authentic, and sometimes tawdry journey through the  sacred halls of the Naval Academy's Bancroft Hall--or the dormitory  barracks of any other military academy. Stephen Phillips has skillfully  woven a superb tale that's sure to engage service academy graduates,  those who have served in the military, and those interested in the  tightly bound, honor-driven culture of the United States military.  Nicely done, Stephen--nicely done indeed!"--Dick Couch,  USNA Class of 1967, author of Sua Sponte: The Forging of a Modern  American Ranger, The Sheriff of Ramadi, and co-author of the best  selling Tom Clancy Presents: Act of Valor"The Recipient's Son is a romp around the Yard.  Stephen Phillips opens  the gates of Annapolis and gives readers an intimate look into the lives  and loves of those who aspire to lead."--Ward Carroll, editor of Military.com and author of Punk's War, Punk's Wing, and Punk's Fight