MEET THE AUTHORS MIDSHIPMEN STORE BOOK SIGNING
Friday, 3 September 0800–1600 | Saturday, 4 September 0900–1300
THE HERNDON CLIMB A History of the United States Naval Academy’s Greatest Tradition BY REAR ADM. JAMES MCNEAL, SC, USN (RET.) AND SCOTT TOMASHESKI; FOREWORD BY GARY KINDER
“The first comprehensive book to tell the full story about the history and legacy of the ultimate USNA Class event. In my five years as Superintendent, every Herndon climb was a unique and lasting memory to celebrate ‘Plebes No More’!” —Vice Adm. Ted Carter, USN (Ret.), Superintendent, USNA, 2014–19; President, University of Nebraska
“Naval Academy alumni, young and old, are united by one word: Herndon. No graduate forgets their epic struggle to conquer this iconic monument and proclaim, ‘Plebe No More!’ McNeal and Tomasheski have superbly captured the rich history of this unparalleled tradition.” —Capt. Wendy Lawrence, USN (Ret.), Class of 1981 and Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate
“‘What has love got to do with it?’ This is the fascinating story of a college graduation tradition unique to the U.S. Naval Academy that began with a forbidden sidewalk named Love Lane.” —Jim Cheevers, Senior Curator, Retired, U.S. Naval Academy Museum
978-1-682-47438-9 $19.95 Paperback | MILITARY HISTORY
“The Herndon Climb is about the ethical ways in which Navies exist— their codes of conduct and rules of engagement. . . . Rear Admiral James R. McNeal and Scott Tomasheski have done us a great service, the more so in their afterword discussion where they talk about their own times and experiences as friends and colleagues looking back over careers well run. A great read ... but also, a book to build upon as our navies ‘to glory steer’, against the tyrants who would steel our freedoms.” —The NAVY
“The Herndon Climb is filled with rich history of the tradition and of the Navy, as well as literary references . . . [and] we read poignant accounts of shipmates. The book has great photos and a wonderful first-person feel throughout.” —Navy Reads
Naval Institute Press
MEET THE AUTHORS MIDSHIPMEN STORE BOOK SIGNING
Friday, 3 September 0800–1600 Saturday, 4 September 0900–1300
THE HERNDON CLIMB A History of the United States Naval Academy’s Greatest Tradition BY REAR ADM. JAMES MCNEAL, SC, USN (RET.) AND SCOTT TOMASHESKI; FOREWORD BY GARY KINDER
The Herndon Climb is an important and meaningful ritual in Naval Academy culture. Scaling the heavily greased, 21-foottall Herndon Monument as a group at the very end of the year for “plebes,” or freshmen, the Climb marks a major turning point in the lives of all Midshipmen, who are relieved of their low status at the moment they complete the task. The book is culled from interviews with more than fifty subjects, including participants in Climbs over the past six decades, with personal observations from the 2019 and 2018 events. Co-author James McNeal recalls the joyful pride of participating in the Climb as a plebe in 1983, and his experience helps bring vivid detail to the memories and reflections of his fellow Midshipmen. REAR ADM. JAMES R. MCNEAL, SC, USN (RET.), graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986. After six years on active duty in the Supply Corps, he transitioned into the Reserve component, retiring in 2017. SCOTT TOMASHESKI is a Los Angeles–based novelist and writer and author of three books in the TIME DEFENDERS series.
978-1-682-47438-9 $19.95 Paperback | MILITARY HISTORY
Naval Institute Press