An American Soldier: Dreams of a Child
|
by:
ISBN:
0-7414-2809-1
©2005
Price:
$19.95
Book Size:
5.5'' x 8.5''
, 400 pages
Category/Subject:
FICTION / Historical
This is a powerful story of a young slave boy seeking his right of passage through life. He had a dream of being a soldier; he became an officer and a gentleman.
|
|
|
Abstract:
During a time our nation was divided in a Civil War, slaves were escaping to the north for freedom. Meanwhile, a young slave boy had a dream. “I wonts to be a Union soldier, Ma. I wonts to fight to free you!”
After his parents were murdered by Confederate soldiers, Henry held on to that dream. This is a story of his right of passage and courageous development through life. Growing up as an orphan, Henry Washington became the first Black Army Officer. His battles went beyond fighting the Sioux Indians; he fought prejudices, personal tragedies, and injustices. This is Henry’s journey in becoming an officer and a gentleman…
Click Here for a SNEAK
PEEK of this book.
|
Customer Reviews
American Soldier-Gripping,Relevant
,
02/21/2011
|
|
Reviewer:
Dave Waldron
|
|
A thought provoking and inspiring book by an authentic modern day warrior who knows of what he writes.
The author weaves a facinating tale of a young boy traumatized by terrible violence visited upon his slave parents in the dead of night by Confederate troops. Orphaned, alone and against all odds, Henry Washington seeks to fulfill his boyhood promise to his mother and his dream to become a soldier in the Union Army.
Drawing upon his own military experience, historical research and oral history gleaned from conversations with an aging Native American elder,
Reiten vividly depicts the clash of indigenous tribal and immigrant cultures which was and remains part of the American Experience.
Written in journalistic style, it is easy to imagine yourself listening in on conversations at Cavalry social gatherings, visualize the 10th Cavalry
Buffalo Soldiers astride their sturdy Morgan mounts, hear the bugle charge, feel the desperation of siege and look upon the awful devastation of the aftermath.
Sadly, Henry Washington's noble struggle to achieve his dream is fraught with racisim inside the Army and tainted by the ethnic cleansing carried
out against native peoples by the Cavalry on orders from Washington
In this respect, the experiences of Henry Washingion have been and are repeated for many young men today who seek to carve out a life for themselves in the military but end up waring against native tribal peoples abroad in other frontiers around the world.
American Soldier is a captivating,absorbing and inspiring book. I highly recommend it to all readers and as a movie goer, would like to see it as
a film.
|
Was this review helpful?
|
Have you read this book? Write a review and share your thoughts with other customers!
|