Betty Alt teaches sociology at the U. of Southern Colorado; William Alt is a member of the Air Force Association and the Retired Officers Association. They provide an overview of the use of black soldiers in colonial European and U.S. armies. The text examines the history of military service as a major avenue for social and economic mobility for blacks, and the development of black equality from segregated noncombat roles to full membership in combat units. The authors also discuss the issue of disproportionate representation of blacks in the Vietnam War, and recent charges of discrimination in the military. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

Fighting for the empires -- The spirit of '76 and beyond -- Black against Black : the Civil War -- Go West, young man, go West -- Over there -- A decade of foreign wars -- Vietnam and beyond.