Customer Reviews

Buffalo Soldiers and Officers of the Ninth Cavalry, 1867-1898: Black & White Together

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

 

 

This is an incredible social history placed on the backdrop of the west. When most people think of racial issues in the American west, they think about White settlers vs. Indians on the warpath. Dr. Kenner's book presents a different picture of the West. His book focuses on the world of white calvary officers and their "colored" soldiers. Dr. Kenner talks about issues from the fighting skill of these often forgotten African-American soldiers to interracial dating to homosexuality. This is an incredible story, that no serious historian of the west should ignore.

Kenner's book is an excellent narrative which chronicles the actual experiences of the buffalo soldiers and the white officers who served with them. The book is a pleasure to read because it goes beyond the dates and battles, opting instead to recreate their foibles and shortcomings as well as their valor and heroism. It takes a true historian to give the rest of us glimpses into such humanity.

Initally when I began reading this book, I was disappointed because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. However, it's my fault. The title gave the contents away. You see I'm only interested in the Buffalo Soldiers - the Black Men. They are the ones that did all the work and others got the glory. I simply wasn't interested in the white officers. Many of them were incompetent and the Black regiments were stuck with them because they had political and family connection.

However, I decided to continue reading. After awhile, my knowledge was furthered by learning about some of the officers. It gave me more insight into what the men had to endure.

Kenner's book is an excellent narrative which chronicles the actual experiences of the buffalo soldiers and the white officers who served with them. The book is a pleasure to read because it goes beyond the dates and battles, opting instead to recreate their foibles and shortcomings as well as their valor and heroism. It takes a true historian to give the rest of us glimpses into such humanity.