Gail Buckley delivers an interesting collection of first-hand accounts of black soldiers fighting in the military from the Revolution to Desert Storm. Buckley’s rare glimpse of war through the eyes of black soldiers is adapted by Tonya Bolden for the enjoyment of young readers. Readers become educated about the reasons black soldiers continue to fight for freedoms they were not enjoying. For example, during World War II the highest rank a black soldier could obtain was sergeant. Modern progress toward racial equality in the military is portrayed in the following quote taken from page 203:
“For an African American, the military is the fairest place to reach goals
based on potential. In the military, standards are very clear. If you are good
and you’ve met the standards, you will be promoted.”
-Lieutenant General Calvin Waller, Deputy Commander of
Operation Desert Storm, in an interview with the author
This book is well written and should particularly appeal to the young adult males.
Reviewer: Brandi VanAmburg
Pre-Service Teacher
Secondary Education, English
Suggested Themes: History – World War II, Social Unrest & Injustice, & Contemporary; Social Issues
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