Better Than Good: A Black Sailor's War, 1943-1945

Rating:
Summary: A valuable and honest memoir of integration in the U.S. Navy
Review: Adolph Newton joined the U.S. Navy during the Second World War by forging his parents signatures. In the service he became one of the first Black machinist's mates (MM) and was assigned to a maintenance unit in the Philippines. After the war, he reeenlisted in the Navy and served on a repair ship. His memoir is honest and personal, and includes frank descriptions of looking for (and finding) women and liquor in liberty ports around the world. Occasionally he even had to stand up for his right to fight for his country. He did suffer gratuitous racial insults and unfair discipline, and speaks candidly about his opinions about white folks. An interesting touch is his love of jazz and popular music; MM Newton frequently recalls what songs were popular at a particular time and even takes credit for exposing other sailors on his repair ship to bebop. The main shortcomings of this book can be laid to the publisher : no index, no maps, and no glossary. Overall, strongly recommended for those interested in the integration of the U.S. Navy and the common life of the naval enlisted man. Parents : if your child wants to use this for a school report, read it FIRST.