The Right to Fight: A History of African Americans in the Military

From the birth of the United States, African American men and women have fought and died in defense of a nation that has often denied them many fundamental rights of citizenship. In this survey, the author chronicles their efforts and accomplishments. From Crispus Attucks, the first casualty of the American Revolution, to fighters on both sides of the Civil War, the author moves to the postwar Indian campaigns and the infamous Brownsville riot. He also documents the prejudices and grievous wrongs that have kept African Americans from service -- and finally traces their ascent to the highest levels.