Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I loved this book. The men of the 761st put 2,000 miles on their tanks over 183 days while in combat. After the war these men came home to an America that would not let them vote, get access to good jobs or even acknowledge their accomplishments during the war.
As I read the book I hoped that some producer would film this story like the "Band of Brothers" HBO series.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Read, But...
Review: An interesting book. I enjoyed reading it and was both depressed by the treatment of the black soldier and impressed with their professionalism. However, there were technical errors in the book that detracted from the book.
The authors, early in the book, say that the German word "Panzer" translates at Panther. Wrong! "Panzer" means "tank". The authors also say that by the mid-30' the German Army tanks were equipped with the high volicity 75mm canon, again this is wrong. It was after the invasion of Russia that the Mark IV tank was up-gunned to a high volicity 75mm canon. There are others, but I will mention only 1 more. Authors refer to combat with the 11th panzer Division and say that the Division had fought in Africa. There were 3 Panzer Divisions that fought in Africa, the 15th, the 21st (formerly the the 5th Light Division and redesignated while part of the Afrika Korps) and the 10th Panzer Division which was part of the 5th Panzer Armee. These errors detract from the book and should have been caught by an editor before publication.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Men, Very Good Book
Review: "Brothers in Arms" the under-appreciated story of the 761 Tank Battalion, an African American armored unit attached to Patton's Third Army in World War II. In this volume, the authors assemble the unit's story from the enlisted man's perspective, an approach not attempted in earlier, more obscure histories. We therefore get the story of Leonard Smith and his friends William McBurney and Preston McNeil. Equally important to the unit's history are "Pop" Gates, the non-com who shaped teenage boys into top-notch soldiers; "Iron Man" William Crecy, whose fearless heroism spanned both World War II and Korea; and even Lt. Jackie Robinson, whose stateside brush with Jim Crow justice cost him combat experience, but allowed him to make his mark on history in other ways.This is the sad truth of a segregated army, run by frequently indifferent white officers, with troops conducting their training in the outright hostile environs of Louisiana, Texas, and Kentucky. Men of the 761 endure the U.S. Army's last-class accommodations and treatment across the ocean to Europe, in the staging areas of England, and right up to the front line, where expediency forces them to join up with distrustful white units. Horrific combat during the winter of 1944-45 takes its toll not only in lives but also in attitudes. Proving themselves to be superlative as a fighting unit, the 761 Tank Battalion contributes to victory in Europe while paving the way for eventual desegregation of the U.S. armed forces. What I like about this book is the thoughtful research that gives multiple dimensions to this story. The Jim Crow aspects, while well-told, are only a part of the narrative. You get an overview of the stages through which street kids are developed into troops, one camp at a time. The Sherman tank (the principle weapon of the 761) is described from the crew's standpoint. So too are battlefield artillery tactics and the role of terrain in maneuvering against an emplaced enemy. Attention is given to the lulls and pitch of battle. Passages describe foraging for food and trying to sleep in cold, steel vehicles during one of the coldest European winters of the century. A wonderful selection of photographs captures both stateside and European travels of 761. I was particularly touched by the photo of Sgt. Harvey Woodard, looking exhausted but resolute in the turret of his Sherman, apparently only hours away from his death. What disappoints me is a lack of maps to give the reader some appreciation of the places and distances involved. Also, there is a sudden shift in narrative about two thirds of the way through. Up to that point, the reader rides along at the tank crews' perspective, particularly that of Leonard Smith. The reader is treated to the sights, sounds, fears, and humor that sustains these young men. But after the pivotal battle at Tillet, the tone shifts. The text from that point forward to the war's conclusion reads more like unit histories, where we no longer accompany the fighting men, but read the impersonal unit-level histories. Only at the very end do our heroes return, where the authors devote a paragraph to each describing their post-war lives. "Brothers in Arms" adds to the "two fronts" battle legacy of African Americans in World War II U.S. military service who took on Jim Crow and the axis powers at the same time. I would suggest that the authors ignored a "third front," on which black officers and non-coms fought. This would be their struggle with the cynical, disaffected men in their own ranks who scoffed at black superiors as "Uncle Toms" for cooperating with "the Man." You can't tell me there weren't a few of these types in the ranks. The success of the black captains, lieutenants, and sergeants would take on even larger proportions if this truth were also told. It is also interesting to note that an abridged version of Leonard Smith's story is included in "We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans," by Latty and Tarver. A comparison of the two volumes shows some inconsistency in the details. But the major themes remain in sync. This is not to take anything away from Leonard Smith (a hero in my book), who is finally, finally getting the recognition he is due. It is satisfying to see history made complete by filling in stories that were left untold for whatever reason. The authors are to be commended for that.
Rating:
Summary: Great Men, Very Good Book
Review: "Brothers in Arms" the under-appreciated story of the 761 Tank Battalion, an African American armored unit attached to Patton's Third Army in World War II. In this volume, the authors assemble the unit's story from the enlisted man's perspective, an approach not attempted in earlier, more obscure histories. We therefore get the story of Leonard Smith and his friends William McBurney and Preston McNeil. Equally important to the unit's history are "Pop" Gates, the non-com who shaped teenage boys into top-notch soldiers; "Iron Man" William Crecy, whose fearless heroism spanned both World War II and Korea; and even Lt. Jackie Robinson, whose stateside brush with Jim Crow justice cost him combat experience, but allowed him to make his mark on history in other ways. This is the sad truth of a segregated army, run by frequently indifferent white officers, with troops conducting their training in the outright hostile environs of Louisiana, Texas, and Kentucky. Men of the 761 endure the U.S. Army's last-class accommodations and treatment across the ocean to Europe, in the staging areas of England, and right up to the front line, where expediency forces them to join up with distrustful white units. Horrific combat during the winter of 1944-45 takes its toll not only in lives but also in attitudes. Proving themselves to be superlative as a fighting unit, the 761 Tank Battalion contributes to victory in Europe while paving the way for eventual desegregation of the U.S. armed forces. What I like about this book is the thoughtful research that gives multiple dimensions to this story. The Jim Crow aspects, while well-told, are only a part of the narrative. You get an overview of the stages through which street kids are developed into troops, one camp at a time. The Sherman tank (the principle weapon of the 761) is described from the crew's standpoint. So too are battlefield artillery tactics and the role of terrain in maneuvering against an emplaced enemy. Attention is given to the lulls and pitch of battle. Passages describe foraging for food and trying to sleep in cold, steel vehicles during one of the coldest European winters of the century. A wonderful selection of photographs captures both stateside and European travels of 761. I was particularly touched by the photo of Sgt. Harvey Woodard, looking exhausted but resolute in the turret of his Sherman, apparently only hours away from his death. What disappoints me is a lack of maps to give the reader some appreciation of the places and distances involved. Also, there is a sudden shift in narrative about two thirds of the way through. Up to that point, the reader rides along at the tank crews' perspective, particularly that of Leonard Smith. The reader is treated to the sights, sounds, fears, and humor that sustains these young men. But after the pivotal battle at Tillet, the tone shifts. The text from that point forward to the war's conclusion reads more like unit histories, where we no longer accompany the fighting men, but read the impersonal unit-level histories. Only at the very end do our heroes return, where the authors devote a paragraph to each describing their post-war lives. "Brothers in Arms" adds to the "two fronts" battle legacy of African Americans in World War II U.S. military service who took on Jim Crow and the axis powers at the same time. I would suggest that the authors ignored a "third front," on which black officers and non-coms fought. This would be their struggle with the cynical, disaffected men in their own ranks who scoffed at black superiors as "Uncle Toms" for cooperating with "the Man." You can't tell me there weren't a few of these types in the ranks. The success of the black captains, lieutenants, and sergeants would take on even larger proportions if this truth were also told. It is also interesting to note that an abridged version of Leonard Smith's story is included in "We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans," by Latty and Tarver. A comparison of the two volumes shows some inconsistency in the details. But the major themes remain in sync. This is not to take anything away from Leonard Smith (a hero in my book), who is finally, finally getting the recognition he is due. It is satisfying to see history made complete by filling in stories that were left untold for whatever reason. The authors are to be commended for that.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite there on either goal!
Review: After finishing this book I found myself a bit disappointed. It seemed that the authors were trying to accomplish two goals; To chronicle the battle history of a distinguished unit in WWII and to tell the tale of the personal struggles of the men who made up the unit and fought for their country dispite the racism and bigotry of the times. Unfortunatly the book fell short on both goals.
As has been previously mentioned; How can you tell a tale of war and heroism without a single map or diagram. Details descriptions of tactial situations are fine, but a picture, (diagram, map) is worth a thousand words. And the same is true to recount the strategic situation as well!
As for the other goal, I got the feeling that at least half the story was missing. I want to hear what happened as these brave and honorable men returned to "Normal" life in their own country and had to fight for respect and acceptance all over again. But that story simply isn't here.
It is still a great story, and a book that should be read, especially by young men looking for guidance and role models. (white as well as black!) but I just get the feeling that it could have been much more.....
Rating:
Summary: Patriotism has no color
Review: BROTHERS IN ARMS is a revealing and extremely informative account of Americans, who happened to be African Americans who fought in World War II. The book, which I listened to on audio cassette, is full of stories about African Americans who played their part in World War II inspite of the hardships heaped upon them by our own government. As was said in a World War I motto: The colored man is no slacker. Unfortunately many of the stories of these brave fighting men have been lost. Some are are just now coming to light.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar makes a significant contribution to African American history by telling readers about the 761st. This work clearly demonstrates that black men did more than just service jobs in the war. At least one other reviewer was critical of some of the details of the combat missions and those assertions may be true. What is important for all Americans to understand is the extent of prejudice that existed in America in the 1940's. As a historian I have heard the accounts of Jackie Robinson's court marshall for refusing to sit on the back of the bus. I know that German prisoners of war were treated better than returning black GI's in some situations. But what is important is that the rest of America know what happened so that we can make sure it never happens again. What was redeeming was the accounts of the 761st return to a former base in a Southern city, where local residents apologized for their parents and grandparents.
I found the most meanningful section of the audio cassette on the final disk that included interviews with several of the men that fought in the 761st. After all that they endured, they were all still proud to be Americans.
Rating:
Summary: A very moving, true story.
Review: Enjoyed hearing the taped version of BROTHERS IN ARMS by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Walton, the true story of the 761st tank battalion--a group of black soldiers who have been mostly forgotten by history.
The two authors got a great deal of their information by interviewing surviving members of the battalion . . . they used it to present a moving narrative of men who were never intended to see battle, having originally been brought together as a public relations gesture to maintain the support of the black community for the war.
However, when the Allies became so desperate for trained tank personnel in the summer of 1944, following heavy casualties in France, the battalion was called up . . . and then distinguished itself in combat despite a high casualty rate that approached 50 percent.
The accounts of war were harrowing; even more so were tales of racism faced by the soldiers--both when in the service and afterwards ... yet throughout their lives, they managed to exhibit
bravery on the battlefield and a quiet dignity upon returning to civilian existence.
The narration by Peter Francis Jones was excellent . . . in addition, I liked the exclusive interviews (in the cassette tape program) with two members of the 761st tank battalion.
Rating:
Summary: must read
Review: i am not usually a fan of history books, but i could not put this book down. mr walton and abdul jabbar do an incredible job getting inside the head of the 761st battalion and bring us their struggle for fighting opportunities, supplies and ultimately respect. my only complaint is that the many battle sequences were hard to intepret for someone who is not a buff of history. a set of maps of timeline of the war could have been helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Great book on WW2's 761st Tank Battallion
Review: I have been a WWII buff since I was in middle school. I was always fascinated by that war and its historical importance. As an African American, I was equally fascinated by the role that Blacks played in this war. My interest was tweaked even further when I discovered that I had two uncles who served overseas in WWII (but not in combat).
I have read many books on WWII including several by the famed historian Stephen Ambrose. I would put this book right up there with the best of them.
This book does a marvelous job in weaving together interesting facts about the US Army during WWII, the training the 761st received, the dire circumstances under which they served with intriguing anecdotes such as the court martial of Jackie Robinson and the relationship with Gen. Patton. I agree with the criticism of some other commenters that the book would have been well served with more maps and diagrams explaining the action that is described. And yes, some of the facts are incorrect. However, not being an historian, most of those incorrect facts went over my head. Overall, I felt the book was well written and well put together.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite there on either goal!
Review: If I were to name the five most important books I'd read on WWII this one would have to be near the top. The only criticism has already been mentioned, it would be great to have theater maps that would help you get a feel for the areas in which the 761st operated. Still what comes through most forcefully for me is the courage and humanity of these soldiers. It's hard to accept that their story has taken so long to tell and that so many are no longer here to accept our thank yous.
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