Gerald Astor Knihy
Gerald Morton Astor was a masterful historian whose work primarily focused on the profound and often brutal experiences of World War II. His narratives delved deep into the human cost of conflict, examining combat from the perspectives of soldiers on the ground and the strategic decisions made by leaders. Astor explored pivotal moments and campaigns with meticulous detail, shedding light on the courage and sacrifice of those involved. His writing also encompassed significant social and political dimensions of war, including the struggles of African Americans in the military and the complex relationship between the presidency and armed conflict.
Although African Americans have always fought and died in defense of their country, even before there was a United States of America, it has always been an uphill struggle for them to partake of this fundamental obligation of citizenship. Despite hundreds of years of evidence to the contrary. European Americans, both well meaning and hostile, have persisted in questioning the ability of African Americans to fight in mortal combat for their country. So widespread and deep seated were these prejudices that supposedly scientific studies were used to try to keep African Americans from flying combat aircraft in World War II. Even today, with the armed forces fully integrated and following the ascension of Colin Powell to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest uniformed post in America's military, race still matters. Yet, as shown in The Right to Fight, the valorous service of African Americans in defense of their country is all the more remarkable given the nature of the society they have defended.
