The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, and The Prince of Tides: Three Classic Novels in One Collection

by Pat Conroy

Three classics from the #1 New York Times–bestselling master of Southern drama.

The Great Santini: A son struggles to escape the domineering expectations of his volatile military father. “Robust and vivid . . . full of feeling” (Newsday).
 
The Lords of Discipline: Will McLean begins his studies at the Carolina Military Institute during the Vietnam War era and must mentor the school’s first black student—while facing down the menace of a racist secret society. “A work of enormous power, passion, humor, and wisdom” (Jonathan Yardley, TheWashington Star).
 
The Prince of Tides: When Tom Wingo learns that his twin sister has attempted suicide—again—he leaves the Low Country to visit her in New York and confront the family secret that haunts them both. “Conroy has achieved a penetrating vision of the Southern psyche” (Publishers Weekly).
 
Deeply influenced by the author’s own experiences, with his Southern family and education at the Citadel in Charleston, these stunning novels represent the very best of Pat Conroy’s impressive literary career. The South Carolina–set sagas were made into blockbuster films—two of them earning multiple Academy Award nominations—and each is a rich, emotional journey into the inner lives of fascinating characters.

 

Genres: Fiction, Southern

1737 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2016

About the author

Pat Conroy (1945 - 2016) was the New York Times bestselling author of two memoirs and seven novels, including The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, and The Lords of Discipline. He is recognized as a leading figure of late-20th century Southern literature.

Born the eldest of seven children in a rigidly disciplined military household, he attended the Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. He briefly became a schoolteacher (which he chronicled in his memoir The Water Is Wide) before publishing his first novel, The Boo. Conroy lived on Fripp Island, South Carolina until his death in 2016.

Conroy passed away on March 4, 2016 at his home from Pancreatic Cancer. He was 70 years old at the time of his death.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

These three novels by one of our finest Southern writers are a must read. Full of drama and even humor, they represent some of Pat Conroy’s best work.

All three became outstanding films, and each has its basis in Pat Conroy’s life, though of course fictionalized.

Thanks to Open Road for making these three exceptional novels available together for those who are just beginning to sample Pat Conroy’s excellent work, to those of us who love to reread books that stand out for us over the years.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad always encouraged me to watch this movie and I never have. Now I wonder if he wanted me to see the movie so I would understand him better. The Great Santini could have been my dad, and Ben was my brother. I have struggled with my feelings towards my dad for years, but I think I can accept him now after reading this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triple treat – three gripping novels from master storyteller Pat Conroy in one volume. The Great Santini – the tale of a domineering and sometimes cruel father, based on Conroy’s own family life: The Lords of Discipline – the story of a military recruit during the Vietnam era, a fascinating and sometimes horrific account of life in a military academy: The Prince of Tides – the tale of a dysfunctional family in crisis. Dramatic, passionate, often deeply moving, this is immersive reading indeed.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Open Road Media for giving me the opportunity to read these three classics by a favourite Southern American writer bound together under one cover. This volume includes a biography of Pat Conroy and over a dozen photographs.

Although fictional novels, Pat Conroy's writing was heavily influenced by his personal life experiences. THE GREAT SANTINI - a Marine Corps pilot physically and emotionally abusive to his family, THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE - degrading and often horrific regimental life at military college, THE PRINCE OF TIDES - drama of a chaotic dysfunctional family; all three were intense, dramatic, passionate and even humorous in places. They were made into major motion pictures.

4.5 stars rounded up

[Marybeth White · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very favorite author of all times! Thai book was an anthem to Marine pilots, and the families that live with them. The Great Santini was a devoted Marine pilot in everything he did. He ran his family like they were in the corps with total disciplinary actions at all times.
This drove me, the reader nuts! He was cruel and unrelenting with his kids and his wife. I found myself speed reading through endless Marine rules and regulations and angry at his treatment of his children and wife! But Pat Conroy wove it all together to bring insight and some understanding on my part of the character of The Great Santini! Not my favorite of his books, but the message was pure and significant!

[Larry McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Country's Fetching Trilogy

I have read each of these three books for the second time. I find Pat Conroy to be able to write, with strong emotion and feeling while exposing his personal weaknesses and and past demons. I find him humanistic in his character's depictions and very relatable to a human experience.

[Elaine Cansler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written novels spinning the lives of military children into dramatic situations. At times, the reader who is herself a 'military brat' finds it difficult to separate the familiar life events from the drama.

[Laura VanderRoest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread Santini and Prince of Tides. Love Pat Conroy. I read The Lords of Discipline for the first time, loved it. He's my favorite!

[Mudwerks · Rating 3 out of 5]

at times amazing and all too often pedestrian and like I was reading the novelization of a classic film, but slightly more edgy.

[forgot to mention I only read The Great Santini out of the 3]

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it a four, but this is one instance that, in my opinion, the movie is much better than the book. I don’t know that I would have finished had I not seen the movie first.

[Pamela Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

[KF-in-Georgia]

Spending time with Bull Meecham is as appealing as spending time with Donald Trump.

I put in last year's date for date-read to keep this book from counting for the 2018 challenge. But damn it, Good Reads keeps putting it back in 2018. I'm going to delete all dates and see what happens.

[Carrol Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pat Conroy Marathon

I haven't ever read Pat Conroy's novels before and I wanted to read his work since I live in the South Carolina low country. Although I did enjoy all three books, Prince of Tides was my favourite because I could identify with Tom's struggles with his personal identity. That said, I found Conroy's self professed love of the low country sadly lacking. Instead I found his attitude to be somewhat disdainful of the lovely region and more than a little disdainful of the people. I need to remember that these books were written years ago and things are very different now, but I was a little insulted. Having moved from southern California 4 years ago I found the people here very welcoming and genuine. Quite different from the self centered fascination of some SoCal residents. I will read more of Conroy's work, because at the end he is an exceptional story teller.

[Lisa-anne]

Loved, loved, loved. Never read a book like this one. Sad, funny, intriguing and eye-opening. The importance of parenting and the dynamics of relationships are one full display