Reviews

Based on the true story of a group of 4 African American soldiers separated from their Division - the 92nd Division which was for black soldiers only. The movie by Spike Lee was pretty faithful to the novel. However, the novel provided more of the background and inner thoughts of the soldiers, and the abuse of Black soldiers by the Army. All Black Divisions had white commanders and the practice was to select southerners. Many of these white southerners were racists, and places no value on the lives of black soldiers. War is vicious and this book makes that vivid. This novel also brings to light the extreme suffering of the Italian civilians, and the barbarism of the Nazi SS. The value of this book is not only in highlighting the reality of the lives of black soldiers in World War II, but their bravery.

marshal_ray's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

drsdon's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

World War II historical fiction based upon a true event that occurred in the village of St. Anna di Stazzema in Tuscany, involving the famed Buffalo Soldiers of the 92nd Division.The Division was composed primarily of black soldiers, and after a brutal battle, a group of four of the soldiers find themselves on the wrong side of the mountain in the small Italian village, trying to determine who they can trust, who they can't, waiting on back up from their white commanders, and hoping they figure it out before the Germans come.

The story is told primarily from the perspective of those four soldiers, with occasionally perspectives from other minor characters. Those soldiers: Sam Train, Hector Negro, Bishop, and Stamps. We each get insight into their background and personality, and it allows the story to keep the plot moving while delving deeper into these characters.

Like an war novel, the book is intense. There are moments of incredible tragedy, pain, and loss, and moments that speak to both the good and the evil of human nature. McBride's writing, as I have found this year (this being the third book of his I have read this year), is as good as it gets. Its accessible, poignant, precise, yet expansive. A really good read.

stenaros's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Read in preparation for the release of the movie--which did not get good reviews and so I haven't seen it--this is another fast paced story by McBride. When Spike Lee and Clint Eastwood had their words over black soldiers serving in World War II last year, did you long for a fictional account of four black soldiers serving in Italy? This is your book. It was well written and one of those books I ignored chores for.

askmashka's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative tense medium-paced

the_oakland_readers's review

Go to review page

4.0

This is the novel Spike Lee based his new flick on. Haven't seen it yet but I hear the book is better, surprise surprise. Excellent novel about the 92nd (all black) regiment of the American army in WWII and about this group of four men who get stranded in Italy. Very quick and good read

More...