Brothers in Arms

The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes

By: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Anthony Walton

Narrated by: Richard Allen

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful wartime saga recounting the extraordinary story of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first all-Black armored unit to see combat in World War II.

“More than a combat story...it’s also the story of how Black soldiers had to fight (literally and figuratively) for the right to fight the Germans.” (USA Today)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first became immersed in the history of the 761st Battalion through family friend Leonard “Smitty” Smith, a veteran of the unit. Working with acclaimed writer Anthony Walton, Abdul-Jabbar interviewed surviving members of the battalion to weave together a pause-resisting narrative based on their memories, stories, and historical accounts, from basic training through the horrors of the battlefield to their postwar experiences. Trained essentially as a public relations gesture to maintain the support of the Black community for the war, the battalion was never intended to see battle.

In fact, General Patton originally opposed their deployment, claiming African Americans couldn’t think quickly enough to operate tanks in combat conditions. But in the summer of 1944, following heavy casualties in the fields of France, the Allies - desperate for trained tank personnel - called the battalion up anyway. While most combat troops fought on the front for a week or two before being rotated back, the men of the 761st served for more than six months, fighting heroically under Patton’s Third Army at the Battle of the Bulge and in the Allies’ final drive across France and Germany. Despite a casualty rate that approached 50 percent and an extreme shortage of personnel and equipment, the 761st would ultimately help liberate some 30 towns and villages, as well as several branch concentration camps.

The racism that shadowed them during the war and the prejudice they faced upon their return home are an indelible part of their story. Shining through most of all, however, are the lasting bonds that united them as soldiers and brothers, the bravery they exhibited on the battlefield, and the quiet dignity and patriotism that defined their lives.

©2004 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Walton (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"A wealth of visual and tactical detail about what it was like to work, and often live, on the inside of a tank.... While it will leave aficionados satisfied, this is military history that will prove compelling to anyone with an interest in black men's experience during the 20th century." (Publishers Weekly)

“An absorbing chronicle of the little-recognized all-black tank unit.” (The New York Times)

“A carefully researched and engrossing account that paints the individual dramas of the tankmen against the backdrop of the war...A fine tribute to these unsung heroes and a valuable addition to the literature on African American service in World War II.” (Washington Post Book World)

A Must Told Story

Sad that those men had to battle both racism and the German enemy. These black men were definitely the stepping stones for the black serviceman in modern times.

history every American should know about

yet another story in World War II about the contributions of people that were persecuted in their own country. like the Navajo windtalkers and Japanese-Americans a part of American history people should learn about

great story!

the story brought tears to my eyes at the end of this great tail about the lost paperwork, no recognition when they got home. The treament of these proud men during and after the war and the cover-up of their story is and always will be the typical American way!

Details.

The details. I enjoyed learning another part of history that is hardly documented in the history books. I relished in the revelation of the sequence of events that led to the journey of those brave men who fought with honor and dignity in helping in the liberation of Europe. They say history is written by the conquers but they are also are selective in what is revealed.

A flood of detail telling the story of Black Americans fighting in WW2.

This is so good. A blow by blow account of the Afro-American experience in tanks during WW2.

Tremendous story

I love the entire book…I felt as if I was transported back to those battles…thank you to all those who served in the 761st….I will never forget your sacrifice. You made it possible for me to serve in the ASAF!!

I salute the men of the 761st Tank battalion

This was a great story from beginning to end. The horrors of war and racism clearly shown with a detailed account. I appreciate the effort gathering these stories before these men rest in peace. Immortality arises when people remember your name.

The Greatest of the Greatest Generation

In the genre of Stephen Ambrose and every bit as good. Yet in one critical way, it is much better. Brothers In Arms tells the story of the fighting men of the 761st tank battalion. The racism these men faced is presented in a straightforward and serious way as simply another aspect of their lives, albeit a gut-wrenchingly important one. There is no preaching or rhetoric in the story and it just simply kills me. In the historical context, it was like discovering a completely unrecognized enemy in the war, even though I have always known that racism was there.

In the face of such degrading hardship from their own country it would be impossible for any man to accomplish what these men did if they did not have each other. Brothers In Arms really brings this home without even trying and has given me a deep and profound appreciation for the word Brother. All of this said, this book is not about racism in WWII, it is about the 761st tank battalion and the incredible fighting they did and the vital contribution they made to winning the war.

It should be no surprise that Kareem Abdul Jabar produced this excellent book; he has successfully pursued excellence all his life. The story is clearly written. I find that often in Ambrose' books it is difficult to tell to whom or to what a particular character is referring to when they are speaking. Not so here. I found myself thinking about this book many weeks after listening to it. I have been filled with emotion and a sense of patriotism, which feels odd considering the treatment of these men. I cannot say enough in favor of this book, and more importantly, of the men of the 761st. MB

Great perspective

I am changing my rating from 4 to 5 stars after listening a second time threw. I was not so interested in how black soldiers were treated in the southern USA, but it was and IS reality.

I like the first person accounts this book has to offer. It isn't often you get these perspectives, as the men and women of that generation are dying fast.

I recommend this book for ALL history buffs, Black or White.

Great untold story

Good story, decent performance by the narrator. However, he mispronounces many city names and places. I don't know if it was deliberate or just the way he speaks. The pronunciations at times become a distraction.