Robert Flanagan

"Maggot is a great book, full of anger and power and humor and heart."
-- Ron Hansen, author of Desperadoes and Mariette in Ecstasy

"Parris Island will make a man of you or break you totally, many have suggested. This strong, well-written novel tells the story of varying shades of possibility in between. These are real people in the hands of this author and the outcome may surprise you."
-- Publisher's Weekly

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A MAN?
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A MARINE?
SOMETIMES THE TWO ARE VERY DIFFERENT !

At Marine Corps basic training, Parris Island, the 70 recruits of Platoon 197 are so many “maggots” to their drill instructor. Sgt. Maguire relentlessly destroys the individuality of each recruit only to rebuild him as a marine—or ship him home, a dishonored wash-out.
Among Maguire’s maggots are Tom Adamczyk, terrified and determined to succeed, and Joe Waite, whose careless competence makes him seem a natural for squad leader. Both have joined the Corps for no very good reason; both are suddenly jolted into an awareness of the commitment they have made. When the brutality of basic training culminates in an official investigation, Adamczyk and Waite are forced to make decisions that will shape the rest of their lives.

"Flanagan's characters are interesting and believable and the plausibility of the novel is upheld even in the surprise ending."
-- The Washington Post

"As an expert at grabbing a reader, Robert Flanagan holds his own in the finest company. Maggot is a living American classic -- a book that bites and never lets go."
-- X.J. Kennedy, author of Cross Ties and The Owlstone Crown