Customer Reviews

The Buffalo Soldiers: A Narrative of the Black Cavalry in the West

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The revised edition of THE BUFFALO HUNTERS: A NARRATIVE OF THE BLACK CALVARY IN THE WEST updates a classic originally published in 1967, when it was the first book to recognize the importance of Afro-American units in the opening of the West. This revised edition expands the original research to explore the lives of these soldiers in the 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments, using recent scholarship to expand and enhance discoveries and creating an eye-opening title recommended for any college-level or in-depth collection of either military or Afro-American history.

This is a fascinating history of a neglected subject. The men who served really come to life through their stories - though I found the authors writing a bit choppy and sometimes dry. The subject matter however is very interesting and overcomes any writing deficiences.

This is a detailed mostly linear history from the advent of the black regiments throughout their history. I really enjoy that this book is a history not a thinly disguised political work - it's only agenda is history - and an honest one at that. In telling the story of these men from failures to heroism and going to original sources to see their fascinating views of service, white officers and of the native americans - it is a well flushed out history - and brings these men into focus as real men of American history - the good, the bad and the incredibly heroic.

An excellent read for those into Western history and the story of these courageous men.

This is another bittersweet book. It's kind of depressing. The author primary goal is telling us how the 9th and the 10th were instrumental subjugating the native people. This was their value and the primary job to remove the people by any means necessary in order to make the Plains a peaceful place for white settlement. At the same time these Black men were treated badly by being practically starved and frozen to death, given the broke down equipment, horses, inferior food, housing, etc. They were constantly chasing natives, with little rest. I admire the men,

This book is absolutely worth reading. However, I just can't bring myself to give it more than three stars. If the Buffalo Soldiers is a topic you are truly interested, I would recommend this book, even with a three star rating.

This excerpt below brings to mind Paul Lawrence Dunbar's We Wear the Mask. He said "why should the world be overwise in counting all of our tears and sighs. Nay let them only see us when we wear the mask." I am sure an observer saw smiles, but I know my people. They had their mask firmly in place.

"While there they did not receive adequate shelter or clothing and at times were without rations. The men had not complained, however, and had performed their duties with customary cheerfulness. "

Originally published in 1967, Buffalo Soldiers was the first book to recognize the importance of African American units in the conquest of the west. The book is now a classic and in this revised edition the author expands upon his previous research to explore more deeply the lives of buffalo soldiers in the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Regiments. This new edition not only delves further into the life of these soldiers in the 19th century but reveals the experiences of their families at frontier outposts.

Author William Leckie became inspired for this book project after heading a group of Negro airmen home following World War II. Subsequent reading made him realize how prevalent black men have been in our military, not only in the present but long ago. This book serves as solid historical reference and portrays the lives of buffalo soldiers after the Indian Wars. The book also discusses contemporary efforts to memorialize these soldiers in film and art.

This was an absolutely thrilling account of the frontier Army and some of the bravest men to ever put on the uniform.

Postage and handling was almost $12.00 enough to mail priority. Ordered on Tuesday and it's Sunday and I still don't have that book. I ordered a bike from a site and had it in two business days. I won't order from this site again. Buffalo Soldier is the book