On April 12; 1945; the United States Army Air Force arrested 101 of its African American officers. They were charged with disobeying a direct order from a superior officer—a charge that could carry the death penalty upon conviction. They were accused of refusing to sign an order that would have placed them in segregated housing and recreational facilities. Their plight was virtually ignored by the press at the time; and books written about the subject did not detail the struggle these aviators underwent to win recognition of their civil rights. The central theme of Double V is the promise held out to African American military personnel that service in World War II would deliver to them a double victory—a "double V"—over tyranny abroad and racial prejudice at home. The book's authors; Lawrence P. Scott and William M. Womack Sr.; chronicle for the first time; in detail; one of America's most dramatic failures to deliver on that promise. In the course of their narrative; the authors demonstrate how the Tuskegee airmen suffered as second-class citizens while risking their lives to serve their country. Among the contributions made by this work is a detailed examination of how 101 Tuskegee airmen; by refusing to live in segregated quarters; triggered one of the most significant judicial proceedings in U.S. military history. Double V uses oral accounts and heretofore unused government documents to portray this little-known struggle by one of America's most celebrated flying units. In addition to providing background material about African American aviators before World War II. the authors also demonstrate how the Tuskegee airmen's struggle foretold dilemmas faced by the civil rights movement in the second half of the 20th century. Double V is destined to become an important contribution in the rapidly growing body of civil rights literature.
#1255831 in Books 2004-05-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.32 x 1.25 x 6.14l; 1.68 #File Name: 0865548838385 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The work is as exhaustive as one could be without copying out battle reports in their totality and the authors have managed to cBy C. E. DanielsWilliam R. Scaife William H. Bragg's Joe Brown's Pets is one of the most well-researched; comprehensive; and readable history of any War Between the States regiment which I have read. The work is as exhaustive as one could be without copying out battle reports in their totality and the authors have managed to craft a wonderful and complex narrative despite the relative dearth of primary resources. I wish only that their editor had been given a freer hand; as the work suffers from unorthodox organization and the end of one chapter seems to have been deleted entirely; fortunately only about a page seems to be missing.These qualms do not; however; merit the removal of a star simply because the rest of the work is so fantastic. Quoting heavily from contemporary reports and letters; the authors tell the story of the Georgia Militia from its war-time inception to the surrender of the state government of Georgia. The book covers the Atlanta Campaign; the Battle of Griswoldville; the Battle of Honey Hill; the Siege of Savannah; and the Fall of Macon; but is also bursting with supplemental information about the organization of the various militia and the cultural perceptions of the militia during this period. The result is a tome brimming with information; even if one has to take a little time to determine how best to access the text.The one area where The Georgia Militia is lacking is in the more human element of the regular soldiers. Limited to primary resources; Scaife and Bragg are not able to dwell on the amazing oral traditions which have sprung up about those old men and young boys who served. My own ancestors; the Reddings; lost three sons in service to the Militia and two more to the Confederate Army. I think a wonderful follow-up to this official history would be a collection of stories about the soldiers themselves.I would recommend Joe Brown's Pets to anyone interested in learning more about the Georgia Militia during the War Between the States. Unfortunately; the work is too precise to serve as a general introduction to the War in Georgia and the ingenue might want to brush up on the history of the War in the Deep South before diving in1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Best single source for information on the Georgia militia.By CustomerThis is the best resource to have if you are interested in the Ga. Militia during the civil war. Some the rooster/county affiliations are incorrect although the roster listings are correct; e.g. Co. E 8th regiment are from Twiggs and Jones county which is incorrect in the roster. My ancestor was Elias Champion; killed at Griswoldville and I have other resources to indicate the correct county affiliation for that regiment. I believe it must be mis-transcribed in the book. The Griswoldville account in this book is excellent.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ood; but lackingBy Ernest G WadeI love the intent of this book but find the arrangement of information very difficult to follow. Sure; you can find the information; if you already know the information; but it takes much searching if you don't already have the information. This is a good book; but lacking in arrangement.
