This book about Miles Davis is more psychologically driven than a straight biography; but it does cover his musical career, as well his spirituality as a jazz musician. Davis rocketed to jazz fame as a trumpeter, making a plethora of jazz recordings during his life time; and his music kept the "jazz world" on edge for almost fifty years. This book also discusses Davis's religion, politics, civil rights activism, and his personal struggles as a Black man in the United States. Miles Davis and Jazz as Religion: The Politics of Social Music also shows how Miles Davis made a political statement, as he challenged racial stereotypes in jazz or "social music." Artistically, Davis was able to integrate rock, jazz, classical music, rap and blues, in his music, as he had a passion for changing his "social music." In this regard, Miles Davis's music was important to him intellectually, spiritually, and psychologically, because he wanted to make his musical contributions count.

The Comedy of War is an overview of military politics, strategy, and the causes of war utilizing books and films as source texts: The Art of War by Sun Tzu, on War by Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz, and The Butter Battle by Dr. Seuss; (the films) Antz and A Bug's Life. This work offers systematic interpretations of what goes on before and after war, and the political and strategic implications of warfare. It provides interesting and plausible explanations for the contentious relationship of military officers and civilian leaders, ultimately questioning what happens when the definitions of military and civilian activities become blurred.

Places in Political Time approaches the black African Diaspora phenomenon from a new perspective, considering cultural myths, history, allegories, and other stories, which present the human condition from a black American perspective. The book also formulates a way of presenting and understanding the divergent views of black scholars today in shaping our thoughts about individuals of black African descent. The essays in this book describe and evaluate tough questions on racism and uncomfortable truths about people within the black Diaspora, exploring how people of color interact with themselves and dominate cultures.

General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., USAF, fought in three American wars and became the first African American to attain the rank of four-star general in the United States Armed Forces. He was a talented military leader, an excellent orator and an advocate for equal rights for blacks in the military. James was once one of the most powerful men in the world, and today he is often classed with such great American generals as Patton, MacArthur and Pershing. This biography explores James's life and assesses his place in American military history. From his childhood through his role and service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the book traces his personal and career development, his influences, and his climb through the military ranks. Photographs of James are included as well as detailed bibliographical information at the end of each chapter.

The Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino is easily overlooked by modern-day visitors to the Las Vegas strip. Originally opened in May 1955, it quickly rose in popularity as the city's first racially-integrated hotel and casino. Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong, and other A-list black singers and musicians performed at the Moulin Rouge on a regular basis, and for once they were allowed to spend the night in the same Las Vegas hotel where they performed. Sadly, the Moulin Rouge fell from fame almost as quickly as it had risen, closing its doors in November of 1955 and filing for bankruptcy only a month later. For the next several decades, the Moulin Rouge stood largely abandoned, until a devastating May 2003 fire left the hotel's signature marquee standing sad but stoic in front of the fenced-in remains of the historic hotel.This book is an original and comprehensive work of scholarship on the history of the Moulin Rouge, explaining the important role that the hotel-casino played in early desegregation efforts in Las Vegas. It addresses the many contributions that the Moulin Rouge made in transforming Las Vegas into a truly cosmopolitan city, while describing the painful journey that blacks in Las Vegas have taken in an effort to achieve equal rights from the Jim Crow era to the present day. With the Moulin Rouge as the backdrop, it provides an overall analysis of the evolution of race-relations in Las Vegas, including a detailed account of the landmark desegregation agreement which was made at a 1960 meeting between Las Vegas hotel owners, black leaders, and government officials - at the then-closed Moulin Rouge. Finally, it examines recent efforts to rebuild and renovate the historic establishment.

This book commemorates and explores the life of one of Mississippi's great civil rights activists, Fannie Lou Hamer. Known for her daring, her brinkmanship and her impassioned speech-making, Hamer rose to prominence in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, an intrepid group which tried to unseat the predominantly white Democrats of Mississippi during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She is particularly remembered for her speech before the Credentials Committee, seeking to end all-white representation of her home state. Like many before her, this figure sought to expand freedom and basic rights to African Americans in the United States.

The Confluence of Racial Politics in America: Critical Writings compiles articles written by Earnest N. Bracey, Ph.D. that explore critical political issues facing African Americans, past and present. Students learn about the history of racism in American and sustained transgressions against people of color. The text empowers them to confront systemic racism and the structural racial injustices that continue on today. Part I features articles that discuss the relationship between Blacks and higher education. Students read about the significance of historically Black colleges and universities, the complex legacy of Brown vs. Board of Education, and more. In Part II, readers examine issues related to civil rights and Black politics. Selected readings cover the nonviolent politics of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, the social activism of Ruby Duncan, and the continued relevance of the Congressional Black Caucus. The final part encourages discussion of social justice, with articles that examine racial disparities in the criminal justice system, questions of equality in America, and the politics and impact of environmental racism. Unflinching in its truths and undeniably timely in nature, The Confluence of Racial Politics in America is well suited for courses in political science, American history, Black American history, and race and ethnicity.

This provocative book tries to give a modern-day voice to the Black American experience, as it vividly, painstakingly, and accurately depicts the sad and continuing struggles of the descendants of Black African slaves in the United States. This mesmerizing work further weaves the human tragedy, social boundaries, pathetic comedy, jubilation, alienation, and racial conflicts Black Americans face with whites or the dominant group every day, particularly in the Southern States. The fateful tales in this collection also realistically portray Black Americans in contemporary settings in the New South, especially in regards to their coping mechanisms and survival techniques. The background for most of these captivating stories centers, or focuses primarily in the Deep South. This remarkable book finally touches all the raw nerves as it presents the observable truth of black life and living, without restraint, cautious detachment, false candor, or disingenuousness.

This provocative book tries to give a modern-day voice to the Black American experience, as it vividly, painstakingly, and accurately depicts the sad and continuing struggles of the descendants of Black African slaves in the United States. This mesmerizing work further weaves the human tragedy, social boundaries, pathetic comedy, jubilation, alienation, and racial conflicts Black Americans face with whites or the dominant group every day, particularly in the Southern States. The fateful tales in this collection also realistically portray Black Americans in contemporary settings in the New South, especially in regards to their coping mechanisms and survival techniques. The background for most of these captivating stories centers, or focuses primarily in the Deep South. This remarkable book finally touches all the raw nerves as it presents the observable truth of black life and living, without restraint, cautious detachment, false candor, or disingenuousness.