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Brotherhood: When West Point Rugby Went to War
“We’re better off for having these men among us.”—Wall Street Journal
Before 9/11, the rugby team at West Point learned to bond on a sports field. This is what happened when those 15 young men became leaders in war.
Filled with drama, tragedy, and personal transformations, this is the story of a unique brotherhood. It is a story of American rugby and a story of the U. S. Army created through intimate portraits of men shaped by West Point’s “Duty, Honor, Country.”
Some of the players deployed to Afganistan and Iraq, some to Europe. Some became infantry, others became fliers. Some saw action, some did not. One gave his life on a street in Baghdad when his convoy was hit with an IED. Two died away from the battlefield but no less tragically.
Journalist Martin Pengelly, a former rugby player himself, was given extraordinary access to tell this story, a story of a brutal sport and even more brutal warfare.
Before 9/11, the rugby team at West Point learned to bond on a sports field. This is what happened when those 15 young men became leaders in war.
Filled with drama, tragedy, and personal transformations, this is the story of a unique brotherhood. It is a story of American rugby and a story of the U. S. Army created through intimate portraits of men shaped by West Point’s “Duty, Honor, Country.”
Some of the players deployed to Afganistan and Iraq, some to Europe. Some became infantry, others became fliers. Some saw action, some did not. One gave his life on a street in Baghdad when his convoy was hit with an IED. Two died away from the battlefield but no less tragically.
Journalist Martin Pengelly, a former rugby player himself, was given extraordinary access to tell this story, a story of a brutal sport and even more brutal warfare.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
51 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 22, 2024
While the premise of the story was good, the style of writing was choppy. The first couple of chapters were chaotic. Some chapters felt like he was taking notes (a lot of short sentences) that he was going to go back to and flesh out but didn't.
The sacrifices that these men made is inspiring.
The sacrifices that these men made is inspiring.
February 21, 2024
This is an amazing book about true brotherhood forged on the pitch and off it. It doesn't matter if you understand the game or not, Martin lays it out perfectly for those new to rugby or old boys like me. Passion, Joy, Sadness, Madness, Redemption .... The passion for the game and the people we play with and those who we enjoy the game with comes alive through the story of the Class of '02.
December 19, 2023
A poetic, often rousing, gut punching story of courage, sacrifice, family, life, and team.
This is not simply a rugby book. Or a book on war. It’s a powerful, wonderfully crafted musing and an ode to brotherhood — in this case, rugby, West Point, the military — and true family.
This is not simply a rugby book. Or a book on war. It’s a powerful, wonderfully crafted musing and an ode to brotherhood — in this case, rugby, West Point, the military — and true family.
July 28, 2024
In the first chapter the author says he's British. The reader is an American who tries way too hard on the accents and could use coaching on pronunciation of both military words and geographic locations. The story was good, but got repetitive in parts.
February 26, 2024
Really tried to finish it. But two-thirds in just gave up the ghost. There's a good story here. But this book just isn't it.
November 24, 2024
This was the 2024 Rugby on SI book of the year.
August 21, 2025
This drew some cool comparisons and contrasts between Rugby, West Point, and War. I also learned some about the Global War on Terror.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews