Rating: 
Summary: A good picture
Review: This book give you a good picture of life in boot camp or MCRD Parris Island. The author Ricks follows a platoon through most of their training. The one thing that is missing from this is the Crucible, and it would not be a bad thing if he went back and filled that missing part in. It shows the tough sides of training both physical and mental, and all the types of guys who make it through, and who don't make it through. It give a good picture of life in the Corps and how people in Corps look at society outside. There is a sort of love-hate relationship that Marines have with the rest of the country at times. Ricks also wants to give political opinion here and that is okay, but to me not as interesting as the pieces about the men in the platoon. Maybe a follow-up on the same guys could a sequel?
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly entertaining and well balanced
Review: Making the Corps is a fair and realistic documentary about the bootcamp experience of platoon 3086 on Parris Island. It follows the trials of several recruits from a close and personal perspective thanks to the author's full access to recruits and officers. If you're a fan of reality TV, you'll find this book has a very similar feel to it. Largely because the author frequently breaks from the main story and inserts what recruits would later say to him in interviews. These function purely as personal commentary and reveals what went through recruits' minds as you read through their struggles. Not unlike the "cast confessions" that reality TV producers will often cut to throughout their shows.The book is titled Making the Corps also because the reader is given history lessons on how the corps has been MADE into what it is today and what direction it is headed. In fact, later chapters present issues facing the US military today that remain hotbeds of debate. Making the Corps reveals--with as much candor as a seasoned marine--how life through marine bootcamp really is and interleaved within is a relevant treatment of marine history and the problems of a changing US military. Evident throughout the text is Thomas Ricks' effort of always providing a legitimate counterpoint to every view, encouraging the reader to analyze them more closely. Published prior to the Sept. 11 attacks, the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars, perspectives offered by the author, and of officers dealing with national security, foreign policy and military spending are (expectedly) dated. The book, however, remains a complete, accurate, and well-written snapshot of marine recruit indoctrination before the inclusion of "The Crucible".
Rating: 
Summary: Aight
Review: THis book excels in vividy describing the marine basic training at parris island. the only thing i didnt like about it was that sometimes when it was halfway through a chapter it would all of a sudden go on a bout a totally unrelated topic to what it was discussing. otherwise it was very informative. I recommend it especially for those about to enter the corps and the parents of marines in training.
Rating:
Summary: MAKING THE CORPS by: Thomas Ricks
Review: This very well written, and very fun book to read for all us U.S.M.C fans!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book is about USMC boot camp, and I enjoyed that part of the book. However the reason to read the book is Ricks' insight into the military's relationship with society at large. As an incoming Midshipman to the United States Naval Academy its been hard to explain to my parents why I want to join the military, but this book synthesized my feelings into an understandible idea. When I was done with the book I told my parents that if they wanted to understand my motivation for going to the Academy they would have to read it. If you are going to join the military, especially The Corps, or if you care about the military or society at all read this book.
GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!!![.]
Rating:
Summary: What got me started...
Review: An article came in my local newspaper concerning this book when I was in 7th grade. It facinated me, and I bought the book. Like Ricks, I became facinated with the Marine Corp culture, tradition and roles. This has motivated me to become a member of this elite organization, though I have yet to be recruited. I am now a senoir in high school, and my brother joined the MC three years ago, before I could get to it. I highly recommended that he read this book, though he never did. Now, he is stationed in Africa with his MC reserve unit. This book is what opened my eyes to this organization, and hopefully, I will get through boot camp to become one of the best. This is an awesome book that delves into the people who make up platoon 3086, and the roles of Marines in American society. Anyone who is interested in joining, or their parents, or interested in the military and how the Marine Corp turns American kids into leaders in society should read this. To everyone else: read it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: OOO RAH!
Review: Simply put it this way... Tears...laughter...and keepin it real. Semper Fi marines!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I ever read
Review: This book painted a terrific picture of what Recruit training is all about. Having read this book, I feel I will be more prepared for the rigors of Boot Camp when I go next year. Highly recommend this book to anyone even THINKING of joining the Marine Corps.
Rating:
Summary: This book should have been titled "Unmaking the Corps"
Review: If you are a soon-to-be high school graduate thinking of joining the beloved Corps this book is a good place to start. Most of the information is accurate, but there are a few things the author didn't convey, through no fault of his own. 1) If you consider yourself an intellectual and passionate for human/political causes..stay out of the Marine Corps because its not the place for you. Philosophical debate is fine and all but as a Marine rifleman, you're not entitled the right to debate unfair orders or afforded the time to ponder the growing rift between the military and civilian society. You do what you are told and keep your mouth shut. 2) It's amazing that Sgt. Carey made it as far as he has with the risks he took training recruits. I was a member of Platoon 3013 in the summer of 1995. I wish Ricks could have written justice of Carey's complete and utter contempt for some of the sub-standard recruits he was forced to graduate. Not getting into details, there were a few occasions where he crossed the line. One of these occasions involved me. I didn't take it personal, I didn't think he wanted to hurt me...I understood he wanted to train me and prepare me for the worst. Eight years later I still hope I'll one day get the chance to thank him for that personally. I often think that Sgt. Carey would have been better off being born hundreds of years ago, in feudal Japan. With the current rules and regulations set in place by bleeding-heart politicians and bureaucrats that have never served a day in the service....today's Marine Corps bears little resemblance to your father's or grandfather's time in the Corps. With recruits that want to press charges when their feelings are hurt, the hamstringing of DIs that want to do their job, and civilians second-guessing people that are trying to protect them the reader really needs to take everything into consideration after reading this book and speaking to some Marines that have served, or currently serving. In closing, I lament the fact that most people reading this book and that decide to enlist will never have the chance to have a Sgt. Carey as their drill instructor. Because of his professionalism and 24/7 intensity I've tried to follow his example and not sell myself short. I was one of the "quiet middle" recruits that went on to complete a "Yankee White" tour at WHCA, serve a tour overseas as a infantry squad leader, and recently completed college with plans to become a Maryland State Trooper. 70% percent of that is because of the main character in Rick's book..Sgt. Carey. P.S. If some (former)Marines take exception to some of the comments I've written..too bad. I've put my time in and rate the right to express what I want. This is my real name, not a pseudonym. Semper Fi.
Rating:
Summary: Wow this was a great book
Review: I bought this book because I was curious about what goes on at boot camp. I wasn't expecting much, just an account of what happens, and I really wasn't very interested in the military at the time. But I got a whole lot more than I expected and I was thoroughly surprised and impressed by how great this book is. It really told me what I wanted to know - how Parris Island changes ordinary men into Marines, and how these men fit into society afterward. Mr. Ricks, you have done a fantastic job. Thank you.
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