An "account of the trying days Colonel Thayer had establishing the West Point pattern--a pattern which would furnish leaders, for our nation in war and peace ... You discover here the testing ground in which these leaders have been moulded." Publisher's note.

Includes index.

West Point -- The great chain -- The man who tried to sell West Point -- A rocky start -- Mutiny on the parade ground -- Colonel Thayer, father of the military academy -- Dangerous journeys -- Trial by fire -- A cadet from Virginia -- Drums in the distance -- The man they almost forgot -- Brother rejoins brother -- Saber versus Tomahawk -- Cadet Michie's idea -- "X" marks the spot -- Every man an athlete -- A cadet called Ike -- Battle leaders of World War II -- There's a monkey in the barracks -- A battle leader of Korea.