All Blood Runs Red

The Legendary Life of Eugene Bullard-Boxer, Pilot, Soldier, Spy

By: Phil Keith, Tom Clavin

Narrated by: James Shippy

The incredible story of the first African-American military pilot, who went on to become a Paris nightclub impresario, a spy in the French Resistance and an American civil rights pioneer

Eugene Bullard lived one of the most fascinating lives of the 20th century. The son of a former slave and an indigenous Creek woman, Bullard fled home at the age of 11 to escape the racial hostility of his Georgia community. When his journey led him to Europe, he garnered worldwide fame as a boxer, and later as the first African-American fighter pilot in history.

After the war, Bullard returned to Paris a celebrated hero. But little did he know that the dramatic, globe-spanning arc of his life had just begun.

All Blood Runs Red is the inspiring untold story of an American hero, a thought-provoking chronicle of the 20th century, and a portrait of a man who came from nothing and by his own courage, determination, gumption, intelligence, and luck forged a legendary life.

©2019 Phil Keith and Tom Calvin (P)2019 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Black history

While I enjoyed all the information, it was at least 13 sentences too many about other people ie Paul Robeson.

An Extraordinary Life

This is a wonderful book with an inspiring biography about a true American hero. I had never heard anything of him before, and was completely captivated by the ingenuity, grit, and sense of duty of Eugene Bullard. Shippy did a great job with the narration. This is a great read.

A true American Hero

This version of the story of Eugene is engaging and interesting. The author meanders at times and then somehow weaves the meandering into the impact of the story. In my opinion, This man’s story should be required reading.

What a great biography

Tom craven, does a great job in research, and presenting the facts of such great people in the past. What a shame we let racism get in our way, and not let us all really grow in the spirit of real love, and we do all have the same color blood red.

Interesting

I enjoyed this book, very informative - but racism described is sad as it always is when I read about or see it or hear it. The historical work on this book is interesting, verifications on anyone’s life is difficult because their memories are just that memories which many times are flawed. Autobiographical material is always somewhat flawed depending on the person. Still I thought this work is wonderful and fits our times - I like the slogan All Blood Run Red - it’s fitting - it feels right to me.

Incredibly amazing!

Totally against the odds he truly squeezed more out of life, especially when consider the times when this all occurred. Do glad that this was captured either in part of in its entirety, depending upon your viewpoint. Truly inspiring to what some are capable of. Our was it just he will to try. Either way, truly a life full of achievements and rewards will deserved.

So Nice

If you’re going to listen to a book for a second time, wouldn’t this be the one???? 🤓

Incredible!! Must Read!

I selected this book because of the pilot aspect, but his life story was incredible.

A Freedom Fighter for Equality

The Story of Eugene Bollard is such a rare tale of human perseverance that it would seem to be made up except for one couldn’t dream up such a tale. It’s said that fortune favors the bold and Mr. Bollard was if anything very bold. I invite the listener to embark on the journey of a young man escaping the racist American south of the early 1900’s to becoming one of the most decorated French soldiers and the first US born black fighter pilot to an elevator operator in RockefellerCenter. The life in between is an amazing story.

Fascinating

The life of Eugene Bullard writes itself. The fact that his life story hasn't been turned into a movie (other than a fictionalized representation in the movie Flyboys) only serves to demonstrate just how much Hollywood lacks imagination. Destitute stow-away on a German Freighter. Professional prize fighter. Highly decorated and severely wounded infantry soldier during World War I who became the first black fighter pilot. Successful nightclub owner who rubbed elbows with the likes of the future king of England, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong and who Ernest Hemingway wrote into one of his novels. Successful jazz drummer who recorded and toured with Louis Armstrong. Member of a French spy network who almost died in a gunfight in his own nightclub while tangling with gangsters. Unofficial "soldier" in World War II and wounded fighting the Nazis. Refugee who barely escapes occupied France with his life. A larger than life character who also had many faults (drinker, hair-trigger temper). Devoted father who raised his two daughters pretty much as a single parent. The story is almost too incredible to believe.

Now, that being said, this audiobook has its faults. The authors' attempts at dialogue are choppy and probably should have been avoided.

James Shippy has a nice voice but also has a Shatner-esque cadence that at times drove me mad. Take this little gem from chapter 24, "...even met with the legendary commissioner of baseball, Kennisaw Mountain Landis.......to push for inclusion......to no immediate effect." Furthermore, he is often inconsistent with his French.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.