American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm

by Gail Lumet Buckley

Book Overview

American Patriotsis one of the great untold stories in American history. There have been books on individual black soldiers, but this is the first to tell the full story of the black American military... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375502793
• ISBN13: 9780375502798
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 534 Pages
• Weight: 2.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Brilliant Work Whose Time Has Come!

Gail Buckley's extensively researched and lengthy book flows from page to page as it chronicles the Black soldier from the earliest beginnings of the Colonial era to the frontlines of Viet Nam to the dusty corridors of the Persian Gulf. Names, familiar and unknown, are introduced and profiled with ease by the author. The prejudices and biases endured by these gallant men and women make their respective stories an inspirational journey into the human spirit and willingness to overcome.A few photographs are found mid-length and provide the reader with a view of the heroes/heroines mentioned in the text. This is a book for the history/sociology buff as well as those that have an interest in the American military.I find it a shame that more have not read or reviewed it. If one more can be inspired to purchase the book, then I, as a reviewer, have done my job.

Historically informative

Extremely informative historical piece of writing laid out in an interesting and chronilogically easy to follow format. Excellent book that was well researched with lot of cross references to historical events, places and figures. Writer Gail Buckley did outstanding job of providing historical contexts to her research with the more "infamous" figures in our country's history. This is the type of history book that I painfully missed in my education of our country and military. A must read for anyone wanting a more expansive and "complete" view of the "forgotten american's" contributions to our military's history/success, fight for personal democracy, justice and equality.

This is AMERICAN history!

The biggest problem with history is that we only get what has been reported through the social and political filters of those who write and publish it. One of the challenges we currently face is the division of American history from African-American history. This book, which describes the contributions and sacrifices of Americans of African descent should be read by everyone who wants to learn about our national heroes. As an American who has served in the military for almost 30 years, I was captured by Ms Buckley's narrative. At the same time, I am frustrated that it has taken until now for these stories to be told. These are tales of great men who have excelled against incredible hardship. It is important to remember that for the last 50 years, the military has made terrific progress in correcting the discrimination that is described in this book. The journey is not complete, but we are on our way. Read this book and share it with a young person who needs heroes.

For blacks, the war has always been on two fronts

The history of blacks in the US military is long and distinguished. AMERICAN PATRIOTS tells of this history from the Revolution through the French and Indian War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf; each war that blacks have fought in forming a chapter of the book. It is a history of contrasts. In many battles blacks were required to prove their bravery and patriotism - which they did - and duly earned respect. Yet at the same time they were prevented from showing leadership - an ability which they have always possesed. So as with the history of blacks in America, AMERICAN PATRIOTS is a story about pride, courage, belief in country, and at the same time, a struggle against prejudice and discrimination. A war on two fronts. There have been many injustices:> During the Civil War black Union soldiers were required to pay for their uniforms while white soldiers received a subsidy.<p>> During WWII the military demanded "white blood only" for its white soldiers. Great care was taken to ensure that the blood supply was segregated.<p>> At military camps, during entertainment such as movies, blacks had to sit at the rear, behind prisoners of war.<p>These are the injustices that were meted out to blacks as a group; at a personal level the unfair treatment wasn't any less, it just stung more. The book mentions the irony that this was taking place in a US military that was getting more integrated. Since President Truman ordered the army desegregated in 1948 there has been an increasing committment to racial equality in the military. Today blacks make up 12% of the Army's commissioned officers - the same as blacks share of the national population. They also comprise 8% of the generals. Representation equivalent to their contribution and role in society - yes; leadership responsibilities - definitely. Is there any better example of this than Colin Powell?<p>The book is well written and contains many personal stories of triumph. It prompts the unasked question. Is the war on two fronts now over?

Overdue,exhaustive,and very ,very well doneI

In AMERICAN PATRIOTS, Gail Buckley has given us a gift in the form of a history lesson:the contributions of African Americans in the military. Though long ignored{Spanish American War} or sactified{The 54th Mass. Regiment in the civil war}, this very well written book will serve as a corrective to both. The footnotes are copious,but it is the sidebar stories that linger on: the first black drill instructor in the Marine Corps, the first black general{BENJAMEN O DAVIS} and his travails,Lemuel Haynes,a miltiaman from CT. in the revolutionary war,and others. Nor does Mrs. Buckley skirt over the issue of treatment of soldiers after the wars{the Spanish_American war veterans were particularly horribly treated},nor the rah-rah jingoism of the Gulf war{the much fawned over Norman Schwarzkopf comes off as a meglomaniacal gasbag,in comparison to Colin Powell .George Bush Sr. comes off very well, especially compared to Ronald Reagan}. The old saying of God is in the deatils holds very true here, The modern surprises are in the detailing of the Korean war and Vietnam,where Black soldiers served {and died}in disproportionate numbers. The prose is clean and clear, and Mrs. Buckley never loses sight of what she is trying to do. I do not know who does curriculum in high schools and colleges, this is one volume I would suggest belong in any discussion of American History. HUGELY RECOMMENDED!!!