Blacks in America's Wars: The Shift in Attitudes from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam [Paperback]

Robert W. Mullen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1974

Photos, drawings, notes, index.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reveals many little-known facts about the role and treatment of the Black GIs. ---- Publishers Weekly

"Dr. Mullen combines in one volume a much needed chronology of Black American participation in America's wars from the Revolution to Vietnam and an in-depth examination of Black attitudes towards these wars . . . . Mullen's well-documented volume is an invaluable aid for understanding this discontent, which must be dealt with fairly if the US is to insure its ability to defend itself." ---- Friday Review of Defense Literature

"Mullen offers a quick, readable overview of Afro-American stances in relation to all American wars (making it the only book in print with that range)."-- Black Scholar, March 1974

"An excellent historical account of black participation in American war . . . . [Mullen's] analysis of the economic and political implications surrounding each war period is unsurpassed . . . an excellent reference source . . . . [Should] be read by all Americans, particularly black Americans...." ---- Journal of Negro History

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY) (May 1, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873488970
• ISBN-13: 978-0873488976
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,612,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars myth punctured by Truth about Blacks and Military, December 26, 2002

By 

Tony Thomas (SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blacks in America's Wars: The Shift in Attitudes from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam (Paperback)

A myth has grown up that the military is a pro Black institution that has been a "successful" example of the "integration" of Blacks and other minorities into US society. Mullen destroys that myth in this succinct, clear, and well-documented history. The racist military has always resisted Black humanity, even when Blacks struggled to win the revolutionary victories if 1776 and provided the decisive element in winning the Civil War. The forgotten chapter, the one the most lies are spread about, Vietnam, discloses the real relations between the military and Blacks at a time an ongoing and independent thinking Black movement was rising up. Read Mullen if only for his picture of black radical opposition to the brass, to the war, the whole idea both from within and without the US war machine during the war against the peoples of Indochina.

While this book is not always available on Amazon, it is always available from BooksfromPathfinder, an Amazon Z store that you can get to by clicking on New and Used further up this page!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and thought-provoking history, December 12, 2002

By 

Harvey (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blacks in America's Wars: The Shift in Attitudes from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam (Hardcover)

A concise overview of Afro-American participation and attitudes towards military service, both volunteer and by forced conscription, in two-centuries of U.S. wars. I didnt know a lot of the specific facts, especially about early wars from the 1776 American Revolution on, until I read this book..

Mullen starts from the reality of Afro-Americans in U.S. society, from slavery to Jim Crow segregation, to todays racist oppression. I found especially interesting his discussion of the attitudes of Afro-Americans towards serving in the U.S. military, at times hoping that combat service would help them win equality at home, and later, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, growing opposition to U.S. wars. Also the discussion of the long-standing efforts to fight segregation and discrimination within the military. Mullens coverage of the views of different leaders of the civil rights and Black power movements of the 1960s towards the U.S. war in Vietnam is well worth reviewing today.

Dont miss the many photos and illustrations: they certainly help bring the issues and struggles covered here vividly to life.