BENJAMIN O DAVIS JR [Hardcover]

DAVIS BO (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1990

The commander of America's first all-black air combat unit describes his illustrious career, discussing his experiences as a lone African-American at West Point, his perseverence in the face of Army bigotry, and more. Reprint. 20,000 first printing. NYT.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Davis, the first black graduate of West Point in this century, led the all-black 99th Fighter Squadron in WW II, commanded the integrated 51st Fighter Wing in Korea and the 13th Air Force during the Vietnam war. Retiring from the Air Force in 1970 as a three-star general, he served in a number of civilian posts, including director of public safety for the city of Cleveland and assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Davis enjoyed an almost unbroken string of successes in his military and civilian careers, the only major exception being a municipal job in Cleveland from which he resigned for political reasons. What lends the autobiography historical significance is Davis's account of the struggle to gain professional recognition not only for himself but for all black servicemen in the face of segregation, institutional racial prejudice and local bigotry. A revealing look at race relations from the point of view of a gifted, uncompromising military man. Photos.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- An autobiography of the first African American to graduate from West Point in the 20th century. Although he was not wanted at that institution, Davis graduated 35th in a class of 276. His first assignment was at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was rejected by the Officers' Club. The turning point of his career came when he was asked by the Roosevelt Administration to lead the all-black 99th Fighter Squadron. Davis and his squadron silenced critics with aerial victories over Anzio in two successive days in January, 1944. He later served as director of Civilian Aviation Security and as assistant secretary for Environment, Safety and Consumer Affairs at the Department of Transportation. This book is highly recommended as it presents a new look at race relations from the point of view of an accomplished, steadfast military person.
- Mike Printz, Topeka West High School, KS
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian; First edition (December 17, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874747422
• ISBN-13: 978-0874747423
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read., November 30, 2000

By 

Robert B. Newman (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Benjamin O. Davis Jr., American : An Autobiography (Paperback)

I read this book about 4 years ago. It is a compelling read; one of those kind of books one will want to re-read again and again. The accomplishments of Benjamin Davis, Jr., one of the famous Tuskeegee Airmen, are well documented but not quite as well known. I wish every black person could read this book because what stands out is the excellence of a human being who would not quit. Moreover Gen. Davis, while he stands against racism, does not come across like so many of the racial hacks today (Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc.). He comes across as a man who, though black, follows principle more than some political vision of black triumph, which we have degenerated to today. So even though I say I wish every black person would read it to see how blacks can regain the sort of pride we once had without dependence on government, white people (or any other people) can get a lift from this book because what you see is a human being, who just happens to be black, triumphing with pride and dignity. I was so impressed after I read the book that I looked up Gen. Davis' address and wrote to him, asking for a response so that my sons could read it and I could use it as an example to them of a black man who had accomplished something great. To my surprise he responded very kindly. His book sticks in my mind as a great human triumph akin to the spirit of Richard Wright.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Benjamin O. Davis Jr. American, March 26, 2003

By 

Lyle Holmen (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Benjamin O. Davis Jr., American : An Autobiography (Paperback)

Benjamin O. Davis Jr. had a distinguished military career. He graduated from West Point in 1936, joined the Army Air Corps, and led a squadron of fighters in World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he continued in service to his country. His service took him to Korea, Taiwan, Germany and the Philippines. Davis rose to the rank of Lieutenant General before his retirement in 1970. What makes Davis journey so fascinating is that through out his military career he was opposed by those who felt that because of a particular physical characteristic, he was not capable of the job. Benjamin Davis was black. His autobiography, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., American, is a detailed account of his achievements and provides evidence of the success of his philosophy that, blacks could best overcome racist attitudes through their achievements. His story is an inspiring one, though the telling of it is sometimes hampered by the lack of personal detail.
When reading an autobiography the reader evaluates the author as a person, what they did, what obstacles he or she overcame, and what their beliefs and opinions are. Next the reader evaluates how the author tells their story. The title of Davis book gives us a clue as to the author and his character. It is simply, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. American. It is not General Davis, or Black American, or Fighter Pilot, or any of the other titles he earned. In the title we can discern what he counts as most important, being an American. Perhaps that encompasses the creed of the West Point Military Academy; Duty, Honor, Country. This is ironic in that this same academy treated him so poorly. His persona is of a man with dignity, reserve and dedication to duty. He rarely speaks negatively of anyone with whom he worked. Benjamin Davis Jr. is a great man and his military record is proof of that. He did not need to write a book proving this, it is well documented. However, he was very important to the integration of the military and thus the civil rights movement and so his book helps the reader understand things that are not part of his official record. The purpose of General Daviss autobiography appears to be three fold. First, it is a telling of his extraordinary life. As the leader of a fighter squadron and his rise to Lieutenant General his story is of interest to anyone who is interested in military aviation and military history of these important times. Second, the book shows racism in society and the military and how it was practiced. And thirdly to show how he used achievement to overcome racist attitudes and thus was a factor in the integration of the military. Benjamin Davis focuses on the conviction that, blacks could best overcome racist attitudes through their achievements, even if those achievements had to take place within the hateful environment of segregation. His book is a detailed account of those achievements.
With any good story there are obstacles that the protagonist must over come. His determination is evident as he endures the silencing at West Point and at Ft. Benning. The missions and the deeds of the Tuskegee Airmen in North Africa and Europe are exciting and stimulating. These were dynamic times to be an aviator. Davis writing style has some faults, though. Too often, especially in the later part of the book, it is dry with little personal detail. At times it seems he is copying from his appointment book: who he met, where he went, or what award he presented.
What makes the book good is tracing the obstacles Davis had to over come to graduate from West Point and to build the first black fighter group. His book is not perfect in that it is dry at times and it leaves the reader wanting to know more of the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of this great man. But to be just, Benjamin Davis set out to be a military man not to be an author. The fact that he writes as well as he does, only increases my admiration for him.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great American Hero!, June 28, 2005

By 

Christopher C. Herring (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Benjamin O. Davis Jr., American : An Autobiography (Paperback)

I had the honor to meet Gen Davis at the very beginning of my Air Force career. Gen Davis was being honored by the mayor as the recipient of the key to Cleveland, Ohio. When Gen Davis saw me, at the time a 2nd Lieutenant, he called for me to come forward and stand next to him as he signed autographs and took pictures with the crowd. I was honored! As I read his story, I was determined to emulate the true sucess stories of Gen Davis and the Tuskegee Airmen he led. He was a man filled with the Duty, Honor and Country, West Point espoused. I recommend Gen Davis' book to any young man or women entering into our nation's military. The mentoring and coaching provided in his book should be relevant and pertinent to our modern day situation fighting worldwide terrorism. I try to actively promote his life's story and the lives of the various Tuskegee Airmen at http://www.BenjaminODavisJr.com.

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