Stone’s historical work describes what it meant to serve in WWII as an African-American soldier. JD Jackson’s performance melds with the text, further strengthening a solid piece of nonfiction. His pacing matches the moment, whether describing incidents of discrimination or the exhilaration of training to become the first black paratroopers. He highlights emotional peaks with short silences that let the listener live each experience before moving on. The story covers a lot of ground—from details of the Roosevelts to the internment of Japanese-Americans and the irony of African-Americans fighting for justice abroad while not being recognized as full citizens at home. Jackson’s smooth voicing buffs the edges of a few rough transitions. Notably, the book is introduced by African-American picture book writer/illustrator—and WWII vet—Ashley Bryan. A.M.P. SYNC 2015 © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine
World War II was raging, with thousands of American soldiers fighting overseas against the injustices brought on by Hitler. Back on the home front, the injustice of discrimination against African Americans was playing out as much on Main Street as in the military. Enlisted black men were segregated from white soldiers and regularly relegated to service duties.
At Fort Benning, Georgia, First Sergeant Walter Morris's men served as guards at The Parachute School while the white soldiers prepared to be paratroopers. Morris knew that in order for his men to be treated like soldiers, they would have to train and act like them, but would the military elite and politicians recognize the potential of these men, as well as their passion for serving their country?
Tanya Lee Stone examines the role of African Americans in the military through the lens of the untold story of the Triple Nickles as they became America's first black paratroopers and fought a little-known World War II attack on the American West by the Japanese. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in the words of Morris, “proved that the color of a man had nothing to do with his ability.”
World War II was raging, with thousands of American soldiers fighting overseas against the injustices brought on by Hitler. Back on the home front, the injustice of discrimination against African Americans was playing out as much on Main Street as in the military. Enlisted black men were segregated from white soldiers and regularly relegated to service duties.
At Fort Benning, Georgia, First Sergeant Walter Morris's men served as guards at The Parachute School while the white soldiers prepared to be paratroopers. Morris knew that in order for his men to be treated like soldiers, they would have to train and act like them, but would the military elite and politicians recognize the potential of these men, as well as their passion for serving their country?
Tanya Lee Stone examines the role of African Americans in the military through the lens of the untold story of the Triple Nickles as they became America's first black paratroopers and fought a little-known World War II attack on the American West by the Japanese. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in the words of Morris, “proved that the color of a man had nothing to do with his ability.”
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940169930771 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Brilliance Audio |
| Publication date: | 01/22/2013 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 10 - 13 Years |
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