Farewell to the Mockingbirds [Textbook Binding]

James McEachin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 1997

Military history. The court-martials of black American solders at the outbreak of WWI. . Houston, Texas.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Inspired by the true story of the all-black, all-volunteer 24th Infantry Regiment, Company K, McEachin's second novel (after Tell Me a Tale) is a riveting account of one of the most disgraceful chapters in American military history. In 1917 the U.S. entered WWI--but while troops were heading to France, another war was about to erupt in Texas. The men of the 24th Infantry Regiment (Colored) were all volunteers, and Company K was the best outfit in the regiment, thanks largely to the leadership and discipline of Sgt. Obie McLellan. Yet the segregated Army sent the unit to a post near Houston noted for its miserable conditions. When the Houston police ignited a race riot in town, leaving many black soldiers dead, wounded or in jail, McLellan led the enraged men of Company K in a revolt against their continual mistreatment from the police and their white officers. Company K armed itself and marched into Houston to even the score and rescue their jailed comrades. The resulting court-martial produced the largest mass trial in U.S. military history: more than 100 black soldiers were charged with murder, mutiny and other capital crimes. To appease angry Southerners, the Army promised convictions and executions; perjury, blackmail, coercion and flagrant disregard for the Constitution made a mockery of military justice. McEachin's story is a tragic commentary made even more compelling by his astute portrayal of the soldiers (called mockingbirds by the prosecution) and officers involved. Despite occasionally overwrought prose, he brings the fate of Company K hauntingly to life. (Sept.) FYI: Film and TV actor McEachin received his basic military training with Company K, 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment during the Korean War.

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 514 pages
• Publisher: The Rharl Publishing Group (September 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965666190
• ISBN-13: 978-0965666190
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Novel, September 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Farewell to the Mockingbirds (Textbook Binding)

FAREWELL TO THE MOCKINGBIRDS by James McEachin, the Rharl Publishing Group, 1997.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and receive the autograph of James McEachin at the American Booksellers Conference in Chicago this summer...Seeing him in the corridors, I kept wishing I remembered his name-for I did remember his face from many of my favorite TV programs. So, once home, with "signed" bookmark in hand, I ordered the hard copy of Farewell to the Mockingbirds . . . having no idea what the book was about . . .

History was never one of my favorite subjects; however, the slice of history called the "Houston Insurrection," as portrayed by James McEachin will be one that I'll never forget. Each of you owe it to yourself and your families to read this new dramatic, perhaps fictional, but entirely believable novel.

McEachin takes us back to the time of World War I, beginning in 1917, and takes the readers into the midst of the 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment (Colored) and in particular K (King) Company. For many of us, we have no idea of the "actuality" of segregation as it was experienced early in our Country's history. Within the confines of the Army structure, where all officers were white, and that allowed them to "act out" their emotions, Farewell to the Mockingbirds presents the story of those referred to at that time as "colored." It presents their reactions, their fears, and their anger at the treatment by those in authority.

One of the interesting points of the book, for me, was that the entire battalion . . . and indeed Black men from all over the United States wanted to participate in World War I . . . they wanted to go overseas and help defend their country. The Secretary of War knew they needed men of all colors and tried to move toward their full use; however, the "war" was at home, as James McEachin, tells the story . . . and the battle was ongoing!

McClellan is the main character . . . the First Sgt. Who led King Company. Clearly, a learned man, his love for the Army and the United States, is well demonstrated. Only in the midst of the internal "war" within the Army, does he come to make decisions contrary to those given by the commanding officers. And even then, you realize that Race is not the issue-saving the lives of his men is his primary objective.

His commanding officer, is white, a Quaker, and a man who clearly does not believe in war-neither the official one or the one within the Army. Perhaps a stronger officer would have controlled and prevented what happened, but somehow I doubt it. McClellan was a born leader and he had trained King Company to be soldiers. Instead, they were ordered to a construction post where their only jobs would be to support the white soldiers in their work. Yes, I'm glossing over the specific activities and happenings prior to the Insurrection. It is impossible to take certain acts and dwell on any one of them; you must visit Houston and become one of the mockingbirds; only then can you weigh and evaluate what happened there.

Oh, and when you're there in Houston, you'll meet Jody - a twelve-year-old boy/man who became a soldier in the King Company and was one of the 13 men who was later hung. Make sure you pay close attention to Jody from his first being "drafted" and finding his way alone to join the Army . . .you'll want to know him well by the time he stands on the gallows.

The story line, then, is that some part of a battalion of "colored" soldiers rose up against the civilians, the police and other soldiers and were later either hung, placed in prison, or dishonorably discharged. This is a part of our history. James McEachin, in Farewell to the Mockingbirds has taken you there in an unforgettable, well-researched, and totally plausible narrative of that time.

At first, when I finished, I felt like I was siding for the "underdog" . . . that I would have been the "first female defender," perhaps, that attempted to bring some right into the "mock" trial of the mockingbirds. Then I realized that, no, I was merely expecting that fellow Americans be treated fairly and equally, for indeed the war was there in the United States, no matter what was happening overseas. And I was glad James McEachin had written this book to ensure we understand who really were and are the mockingbirds.

This novel commands your attention from beginning to end - buy yourself a copy . . . you will want to read it again and share it with others!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Searing, Powerful, Important novel., September 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Farewell to the Mockingbirds (Textbook Binding)

The actor James McEachin has enjoyed a fine second career as a novelist. This, his second novel, is an incredibly moving book about an unforgettable, yet forgotten, incident in our past. In 1917 the US Army sent a regiment of black soldiers to Houston, Texas. As could have been expected, trouble eventually occurred. Big trouble. A riot between white Houston police and the black soldiers which resulted in the deaths of several people. The result was the largest murder trial in American history, followed by the largest mass execution. This is an emotional book, written in the heat of righteous anger. But, Mr. McEachin never allows his obvious sympathies for the soldiers to descend into maudlin sentimentalism. The soldiers are fully rounded men, often troubled and flawed. Their actions are not made out to be more noble than they were. It is a book that reminds us of how far we have come in America, and how far we have to go. Most highly recommended.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Literary Treasure, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Farewell to the Mockingbirds (Textbook Binding)

I am a writer. After reading this book, I feel like a fraudcalling myself a writer. James McEachin's writing is that good, justbrilliant. When it comes to men of letters, somewhere, sometime, somehow, some way, James McEachin must be acknowledged and recognized as a national literary treasure or there is no justice in this world.