The heroics of black Union soldiers in the Civil War have been
justly celebrated, but their postwar lives largely neglected.
Donald Shaffer's illuminating study shines a bright light on this
previously obscure part of African American history, revealing for
the first time black veterans' valiant but often frustrating
efforts to secure true autonomy and equality as civilians.
After the Glory shows how black veterans' experiences as
soldiers provided them for the first time with a sense of manliness
that shaped not only their own lives but also their contributions
to the African American community. Shaffer makes clear, however,
that their postwar pursuit of citizenship and a dignified manhood
was never very easy for black veterans, their triumphs frequently
neither complete nor lasting.
Shaffer chronicles the postwar transition of black veterans from
the Union army, as well as their subsequent life patterns,
political involvement, family and marital life, experiences with
social welfare, comradeship with other veterans, and memories of
the war itself. He draws on such sources as Civil War pension
records to fashion a collective biography-a social history of both
ordinary and notable lives-resurrecting the words and memories of
many black veterans to provide an intimate view of their lives and
struggles.
Like other African Americans from many walks of life, black
veterans fought fiercely against disenfranchisement and Jim Crow
and were better equipped to do so than most other African
Americans. They carried a sense of pride instilled by their
military service that made them better prepared to confront racism
and discrimination and more respected in their own communities. As
Shaffer reveals, they also had nearly equal access to military
pensions, financial resources available to few other blacks, and
even found acceptance among white Union veterans in the Grand Army
of the Republic fraternity.
After the Glory is not merely another tale of black struggles in
a racist America; it is the story of how a select group of African
Americans led a quest for manhood-and often found it within
themselves when no one else would give it to them.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
