Customer Reviews

Buffalo Soldiers

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

 

 

Tom Willard is in the midst of a series of novels focussing on the role of black soldiers in American military history. The first of these, Buffalo Soldiers, begins with Congress creating the first black peacetime units in 1866. Augustus Sharps is a black man who, despite the Civil War, has been held as a virtual slave by a white hunter who purchased him from Indians. Freed by men of the 10th Calvary, Augustus, who is already an expert shot, joins up and spends most his life in the U.S. Army, then joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West show after fighting with the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill. The novel closes with America's entry into WWI, Augustus is too old to serve by then, but as his two sons head off to war, he presents them with his battle saber.

While one admires Willard's effort to recover the memory of the black heroes who served America so ably and with so little reward in the years before the nation desegregated, the story is ultimately more earnest than interesting. I'd give it a mild recommendation. A formulaic rehash of classic Western themes, redeemed only by the reminder that blacks played an important and underappreciated role in creating the American West.

GRADE: C

Buffalo Soldiers by Tom Willard is one of the best books I have ever read. The principal at my high school donated it to the library and when I saw it on the shelf, I was instantly intrigued. I could not put it down. The words of my principal -- "America has been blessed with courage and patriotism from all of its people" -- were very true. Willard has told an important story that is sure to move you. In the novel, Sergean Major Augustus Sharps and his wife, Selona, show great measures of strength and courage. This compelling novel is definetly on my list of best books.

Some up this remarkable book about Colored soldiers after the Civil War taking up arms to help tame the newly expanding American Western frontier. This book tackles the expanding never ceasing politics of race between those with power, and those without, those with weapons, and those with none, those who formerly wore chains, and those who fight to keep them off. Willard's portrayal of the harsh environs of the expanding frontier match and may surpass those of Larry MacMurty's "Dead Man's Walk". The stregnth, valor, bravory, courage, and duty Willard gives his colored sodiers through adversity gives the reader a better understanding and apprciation of those who came before us, those who died for us, and those who were forgotten.

BUFFALO SOLDIERS begins by featuring excerpts from a speech given by Colin Powell in 1992 at the dedication of a monument to honor Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Leavenworth. Immediately, readers become aware of the significance of this monument as well as the important role that these soldiers played in defending our nation and in helping to establish the American West.

As the story begins, we are introduced to Augustus Talbot, later known as Augustus Sharps and the 10th United States Calvary (Colored) and we follow them through more than 30 years of history in the making. Throughout the book readers are constantly reminded of the paradox of African American soldiers. These soldiers faced prejudice and injustice on a daily basis, were provided with hand me down, and in most cases poor quality equipment, yet they defended the United States with unyielding bravery and honor. When Augustus marries and starts a family, readers become privy to the sacrifice, frustrations and hardship that the families of the soldiers had to endure in order to "make a way out of no way." We are also introduced to some Whites who were willing to stand alone to defend and show respect for the African American soldiers and their families.

From the first page, BUFFALO SOLDIERS draws readers into a different time in history where African American men were fighting for a nation that barely recognized them as men, no mind the heroes that they were. While this is a work of historical fiction, readers will learn a great deal about the history through this wonderful book. I found myself searching the Internet to learn more about Buffalo Soldiers in general and some of the specific things, like the types of rifles, mentioned in the book. Willard has written a book that not only educates, but also touches the hearts of the readers. You feel for the characters as they experience hardships, lengthy separations and even death. I gained a deeper respect not only for the Buffalo Soldiers, their wives and families, but also for the brave men and women that have followed in their footsteps through military service. While the Buffalo Soldiers were struggling to build a legacy and gain respect from Whites, they indeed proved themselves to be the greatest of heroes.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

The topic seems good: the story of black soldiers fighting bravely during a time of racism, but the story is terribly written. It is full of cliches and weak description. It is very long and filled with event after event, so that you are confused and bored rather than excited and intrigued. It is probably the worst book I have ever read, and I read about a book a week.

i couldn't put this book down, this is an excellent book. I really put myself in SGM Augustus Sharps' shoes. As a decendant of the Buffalo Soldiers, and former US Army soldier, I really wish the story was mandatory reading at the HS and college level

If you pick up Tom Willard's BUFFALO SOLDIERSeither because you want to know more aboutAfrican-American frontier soldiers or because you want a good story, you will be disappointed. There are tidbits of history -- such as dates and places and names -- but those would be more thoroughly treated in nonfiction. What there is NOT is gripping fiction. Willard's characters might as well be labeled according to their role: Hero, Heroine, Cute Child, Villain, Loyal Friend, Honorable Officer(s). They are as banal as the action, which skips across 51 years (1866-1917) in a barrage of utterly predictable events. There is the Hero's shooting match with Buffalo Bill Cody. There are Rescue Missions. There is the requisite Saloon Fight. There are Indian Skirmishes. Each event is described so briefly that one wonders if Willard has bored even himself. Meanwhile, the poor characters are given no time to reflect or recover before they are flung into the next Event. Willard's book has the riveting plot-driven superficiality of Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour, but without the riveting plot.

One of the best westerns, military fiction novels ever. Why do not more people know of it? Sgt. Major Augustus Sharpe and his wife Selona are two of the best developed characters I have encountered in either westerns or military fiction. It is nice to see a story of brave, hard solders who are not supermen and women who are not just bed partners. Mixed with the well written action sequences and all permeating racial injustice and you have one of my all time favorite books.