Shock And Awe

The latter half of the 20th century was a turbulent time for race relations in the United States. In the public sphere, protests, riots, and violence were not uncommon when tensions reached their peak. But in the United States Army, a more peaceful transition took place as highly trained, highly intelligent African American officers rose through the ranks in a de-segregated military. Some of the names, like General Colin Powell, are familiar to the general public, but many more are not. Dr. Jimmie Jones, himself a retired African American officer of the United States Army, presents here a comprehensive look at the evolving role of black officers in the army over the last several decades. The story he tells is one part history and one part charming narrative as he recounts his journeys around the country as an officer moving up in the ranks and as an avid interviewer taking every opportunity possible to meet with the trailblazing men and women who broke barriers to become the first African American general officers in the army.