A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman

Be the first to write a review

Overview

How does a black American prepare for a career in a profession traditionally closed to blacks? And how does he or she cope with the frustrations and dangers that subsequent experiences generate? A-Train is the story of one of the black Americans who, during World War II, graduated from Tuskegee Army Flying School and served as a pilot in the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Charles W. Dryden has prepared an honest, fast-paced, balanced, vividly written, and very personal account of what it was like to be a black soldier, ...
See more details below
Paperback (1)
$24.95
BN.com price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (9) from $7.04   
  • New (3) from $19.44   
  • Used (6) from $7.04   
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

How does a black American prepare for a career in a profession traditionally closed to blacks? And how does he or she cope with the frustrations and dangers that subsequent experiences generate? A-Train is the story of one of the black Americans who, during World War II, graduated from Tuskegee Army Flying School and served as a pilot in the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Charles W. Dryden has prepared an honest, fast-paced, balanced, vividly written, and very personal account of what it was like to be a black soldier, and specifically a pilot, during World War II and the Korean War. Colonel Dryden's book commands our attention because it is a balanced account by an insightful man who enlisted in a segregated army and retired from an integrated air force. Dryden's account is poignant in illuminating the hurt inflicted by racism on even the most successful black people. As a member of that elite group of those young pilots who fought for their country overseas while being denied civil liberties at home, Dryden presents an eloquent memoir of the experiences he has shared and the changes he has witnessed.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
As a member of the first group of African Americans to be trained as military pilots during World War II, in a project known as the Tuskegee experiment, Dryden had to overcome enormous obstacles to serve his country. Though it was believed at the time that black men could not be pilots, the pilots trained at Tuskegee had a distinguished record. Squadrons staffed by Tuskegee airmen never lost a bomber that they were escorting to enemy fighters. In this disturbing memoir, titled after the nickname of Dryden's airplane, the author relates how every possible obstacle was put in the way of these men. For example, at one base, German POWs could use the PX but the Tuskegee pilots could not. At another base, the Officers Club was closed so that it would not have to be integrated. Dryden effectively conveys how destructive discrimination can be. Highly recommended for all libraries and essential for those dealing with African American studies.-Terry L. Wirick, Erie Cty. Lib. System, Pa.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780817312664
  • Publisher: University of Alabama Press
  • Publication date: 8/24/2002
  • Edition description: 1
  • Pages: 440
  • Sales rank: 984,434
  • Product dimensions: 6.25 (w) x 9.12 (h) x 1.10 (d)

Meet the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Dryden is retired from the U.S. Air Force following 20 years of service with action during World War II and the Korean War. He holds an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Hofstra University.

Lieutenant General Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

is retired from the U.S. Air Force and is author of American: An Autobiography.

 

Read More Show Less

Read an Excerpt




Chapter One


Dismissed!

July 1944


    "The accused will rise and face the court."

    "Does the accused have anything to say before sentence is pronounced?"

    "No, Sir."

    "Having found First Lieutenant Charles Walter Dryden, Serial Number AO 789 119, guilty as charged of one count of violating the 96th Article of War, this general court-martial sentences Lieutenant Dryden to be dismissed from the United States Army Air Corps."

Uncertain Seasons

By Elizabeth Shelfer Morgan

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS

Copyright © 1994 The University of Alabama Press. All rights reserved.

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Foreword ix
Prologue xi
Acknowledgments xv
Part I: Before Desegregation
1. Dismissed! (July 1944) 3
2. Why? (July 1944) 4
3. The Fledgling (1920-1941) 7
4. Off to Tuskegee (August 1941) 21
5. Aviation Cadets (August 1941-April 1942) 36
6. Nest of Black Eagles (April 1942-April 1943) 68
7. Fighting 99th: Over There! (April 1943-September 1943) 107
8. Arrivederci, Sicily! (September 1943-1944) 148
9. "You're Not Ready!" (1944-July 1945) 167
10. Fighting 99th: Over Here! (July 1945-February 1946) 194
11. Camelot! (February 1946-June 1949) 205
Part II: After Desegregation
12. Lonely Eagles (June 1949-July 1950) 245
13. Over There—Again! (July 1950-February 1952) 260
14. Sayonara! (February 1952-September 1957) 297
15. Guten Tag, West Germany (September 1957-May 1959) 319
16. Auf Wiedersehen! (May 1959-January 1962) 348
17. Twilight of a Lonely Eagle (January 1962-August 1962) 375
18. Contrails (Timeless) 384
Epilogue 391
Glossary 395
Bibliography 409
Index 411
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 7, 2003

    Military Service person/s

    As a retired military service person (Army) of African decent, I can identify with the words of the book, completely. Very well done, carry on ! Stu

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)