Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com
Summary:
In 1941, Tuskegee, Alabama, was selected as the site of an important new development in military training. For the first time, black Americans were to be allowed to serve their country as members of the United States Army Air Corps. During its five-year history, Tuskegee Army Air Field was home to almost 1,000 African-American pilots. More than 10,000 black men and women served as their vital support personnel. Together, they filled the ranks of the 99th Fighter
Squadron, the 332nd Fighter Group, and the 477th
Bombardment Group. Their remarkable achievements at home and overseas destroyed stereotypes and helped to bring about the eventual integration of the United States military. Under the harsh restrictions of segregation, the African-Americans both trained and served together, and in this forced isolation, developed unbreakable bonds .
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
pictural history, not a book
Customer Rating:
Maybe I didn't read the reviews close enough, but I was very disappointed in this book. Having read a few other WWII (auto)biographies, and having seen The Tuskeegee Airmen movie, I was very interested in learning more about this remarkable group. The "book" is mainly just a collection of photographs. It is more like walking through a museum exhibit. If that is the type of thing you are looking for, than this might be even rated at 4 or 5 stars, but I only gave it 3 because it doesn't let you get to really know these men as individuals, or feel a part of their struggle and inner strength and pride at their accomplishments.
Struggle for Acceptance
Customer Rating:
Young Black men prior to WWII only dreamed of flying for the U.S. Military. Many of them sneaked off to France to enter flight school. But when President Roosevelt ordered the formation of the 99th Fighter Squad, the Black men started their flight training at the Tuskeegee Institute of Alabama, an all-Black school founded by Booker T. Washington, a former slave himself. The first experiment consisted of 13 students of which only 5 finished the schooling. Classes followed, and finally, orders were for the Black pilots to go to North Africa to fly P-40 Warhawks. Their mission was to protect the large American bombers. The Black pilots showed their knowledge and their patriotism in spite of the fact the officer's clubs were still segregated. The only place they were completely equal was in a prisoner of war camp. However, while acceptance of Blacks as pilots was starting to happen in the war, back home in America, the integration issue was just heating up and about to explode. This book is an excellent glance into the history of Black American Military pilots.
This book is wicked good reading.
Customer Rating:
Like so many other people did, I watched the movie on HBO about the Tuskegee Airmen and I really enjoyed it. Because of the movie I went out and bought and read everything that I could about the Tuskegee Airmen. I have read at least a half dozen books on the subject so far and have far and away enjoyed this book more than any others. The authors have done a magnificent job of researching the subject. Their story flows seamlessly from their introduction through each obviously carefully written photograph and photographic caption. I loved it. I encourage every American to read this book, it's uplifting and educational at the same time. Well done to the authors for writing this book and well done to the men and women that made it happen.
MY HEROES
Customer Rating:
I need to start out by saying that I am a young black man and as such, this book had a great deal of meaning for me. In an era and in a society in which so many young black men are portrayed in such a negative light, it is good to see a book filled from beginning to end with black men and women of great accomplishment. All young black men and women should be intimately aware of the Tuskegee Airmen and the tremendous accomplishments that they have made to American society. I have never met a Tuskegee Airman, but I would like to. This is a very good book and I encourage all of my brothers and sisters to read this book. Blacks in America need heroes. These men and women are my heroes. I salute them and the authors for writing such a golden book.
Uplifting.
Customer Rating:
This book should be mandatory reading for all Americans concerned about contemporary race relations in the United States. Everyone could learn a lesson reading about the hurdles that the Tuskegee Airmen were forced to overcome in order to protect their own country. The authors have woven together a very moving story using fantastic photographs that help to make the reader feel as if actually living the experience. I highly recommend this book to all.
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