About the book
By the late 1960s, what had been widely heralded as the best-qualified, best-trained army in US history was descending into crisis as the Vietnam War raged without end. Morale was tanking. AWOL rates were rising. And in August 1968, a group of Black soldiers seized control of the infamous Long Binh Jail, burned buildings, and beat a white inmate to death with a shovel. The days of “same mud, same blood” were over, and a new generation of Black GIs had decisively rejected the slights and institutional racism their forefathers had endured. Acclaimed military historian Beth Bailey shows how the US Army tried to solve its racial crisis (in army terms, “the problem of race”). Army leaders were surprisingly creative in confronting demands for racial justice, even willing to challenge fundamental army principles of discipline, order, hierarchy, and authority. Bailey traces a frustrating yet fascinating story of a massive conservative institution coming to terms with demands for change.
Editions of An Army Afire
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469673264
- Paperback
- ISBN 9798890889737
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469673271
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469673288
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890863478
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890863461
Read an Excerpt
By the late 1960s, what had been widely heralded as the best-qualified, best-trained army in US history was descending into crisis as the Vietnam War raged without end. Morale was tanking. AWOL rates were rising. And in August 1968, a group of Black soldiers seized control of the infamous Long Binh Jail, burned buildings, and beat a white inmate to death with a shovel. The days of “same mud, same blood” were over, and a new generation of Black GIs had decisively rejected the slights and institutional racism their forefathers had endured. Acclaimed military historian Beth Bailey shows how the US Army tried to solve its racial crisis (in army terms, “the problem of race”). Army leaders were surprisingly creative in confronting demands for racial justice, even willing to challenge fundamental army principles of discipline, order, hierarchy, and authority. Bailey traces a frustrating yet fascinating story of a massive conservative institution coming to terms with demands for change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is An Army Afire about?
By the late 1960s, what had been widely heralded as the best-qualified, best-trained army in US history was descending into crisis as the Vietnam War raged without end. Morale was tanking. AWOL rates were rising. And in August 1968, a group of Black soldiers seized control of the infamous Long Binh Jail, burned buildings, and beat a white inmate to death with a shovel. The days of “same mud, same blood” were over, and a new generation of Black GIs had decisively rejected the slights and institutional racism their forefathers had endured. Acclaimed military historian Beth Bailey shows how the US Army tried to solve its racial crisis (in army terms, “the problem of race”). Army leaders were surprisingly creative in confronting demands for racial justice, even willing to challenge fundamental army principles of discipline, order, hierarchy, and authority. Bailey traces a frustrating yet fascinating story of a massive conservative institution coming to terms with demands for change.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in An Army Afire?
History and Archaeology > History > Military history > Specific wars and military campaigns > Military history: post-WW2 conflicts
Where can I read a sample of An Army Afire?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469673264
How long is An Army Afire and how many pages does it have?
An Army Afire has 360 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book An Army Afire?
Beth Bailey
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
An Army Afire is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469673264) and paperback(ISBN 9798890889737) and ebook(ISBN 9781469673271) and ebook(ISBN 9781469673288) and ebook(ISBN 9798890863478) and pdf(ISBN 9798890863461)
Where can I buy An Army Afire online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy An Army Afire from below
Where can I buy An Army Afire?