Academy professor says he's punished for being critical

A civilian Naval Academy professor who has published a book saying the academy suffers from hypocrisy, mediocrity and isolation won't be allowed to sign copies at the campus bookstore.

The academy has allowed other faculty members to hold book signings in the past, so English professor Bruce Fleming of Davidsonville says he's being singled out for punishment.

The academy claims it's not reacting to the content of Mr. Fleming's new book, "Annapolis Autumn: Life, Death, and Literature at the U.S. Naval Academy."

Cmdr. Rod Gibbons, academy spokesman, said yesterday that apparent conflicts of interest led to the denial of...