Buy new:
$25.23
FREE delivery Friday, May 3 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
List Price: $30.00 Details

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Save: $4.77 (16%)
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Friday, May 3 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 17 hrs 46 mins
In Stock
$$25.23 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$25.23
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Friday, May 3 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 17 hrs 46 mins
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by Milo Sells 4 U
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Softcover Book. 100% Satisfaction guaranteed. Ships directly from Amazon.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Brenda L. Moore
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African-American WACS Stationed Overseas During World War II Paperback – August 1, 1997

by Brenda L. Moore (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 36 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$25.23","priceAmount":25.23,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"25","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"23","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"0xo7su7GWQpsRMsESLQoHXyi8UhJGnS2Pwq5e%2BMBfvpadwHknlNqcAJxmfY8Gxt%2FijmxkHzkmC%2BvoRsjorsv1W8%2BlO7Wpd%2FOWT%2FG3AgpBSUaEDFYBKKxNWooxMEZtraKtLsJm9qjtfM%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$23.95","priceAmount":23.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"23","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"0xo7su7GWQpsRMsESLQoHXyi8UhJGnS2EDNBR3nWG37fN%2FjnxmCm7uQ823x5%2BC6UZehd7x6E3SzsqkHmC5SHXh11N9QhYQM0552ryKKrXGgT52mjm0SediAFwlH7qyImbzZ1u73WJFpKCdZLDZYuQqoyMmEPh7ZtSmgFeX7yGUqFYWw8JygOdNfA5921hxJ2","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The story of the historic 6888th, the first United States Women's Army Corps unit of African American women to serve overseas

While African American men and white women were invited, if belatedly, to serve their country abroad, African American women were excluded for overseas duty throughout most of WWII. However, under political pressure from legislators like Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the NAACP, the Black press, and even President Roosevelt, the US War Department was forced to deploy African American women to the European theater in 1945.

African American women answered the call to serve from all over the country, from every socioeconomic stratum. Stationed in France and England at the end of World War II, the 6888th brought together women like Mary Daniel Williams, a cook in the unit who signed up for the Army to escape the slums of Cleveland and to improve her ninth-grade education, and Margaret Barnes Jones, the unit’s public relations officer, who grew up in a comfortable household with a politically active mother who encouraged her to challenge the system.

Despite the social, political, and economic restrictions imposed upon these women in their own country, they were eager to serve, not only out of patriotism but out of a desire to uplift their race and dispel bigoted preconceptions about their abilities. Elaine Bennett, a First Sergeant, joined because "I wanted to prove to myself and maybe to the world that we would give what we had back to the United States as a confirmation that we were full- fledged citizens."

Filled with compelling personal stories based on extensive interviews, To Serve My Country, To Serve My Race is the first book to document the lives of these courageous pioneers. It reveals how their Army experience affected them for the rest of their lives and how they, in turn, transformed the US military forever.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 1, 1997
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.76 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0814755879
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0814755877
  7. See all details
Next page
Books with Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Frequently bought together

To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African-American WACS Stationed Overseas During World War II
$25.23
Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
One Woman's Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC (Texas A & M University Military History Series, #12) (Volume 12)
$23.68
Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Standing Up Against Hate: How Black Women in the Army Helped Change the Course of WWII
$17.99
Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A rich, comprehensive study." ― Philadelphia New Observer

"Drawing on the testimony of former members of the unit, Moore recounts its formation, training and service in the European theater of operations in 1945-46, highlighting the discrimination women faced because of their race and gender. . . . An important contribution to African American and gender studies ." ― Publishers Weekly

"Moore has made an incredible discovery. This book will be a major contribution to military studies, African American studies, and women's studies." ― Booklist

"This work fills the void that has been created by scholars of military institutions. It represents an original analysis of the experience of women of African descent who served their country in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Her robust analysis of their feelings, motivations and experience within the military provides the reader with a moving tale of accomplishments of black women during a critical point in the history of the country. Professor Moore's separation of race and gender effects in the book is excellent, and brings out the fact that women of African descent must be seen in their own historical light if one is to understand their unique history. This book makes a significant contribution to military sociology, gender studies, American studies, and race and ethnic relations." -- John Sibley Butler,The University of Texas at Austin, author of Entrepreneurship and Self-Help Among Black Americans: A Reconsideration of Race and Economics

"A fascinating account of black women in the armed forces in World War II. We are indebted to Brenda Moore for recording this story while these women are still with us. Moore gives powerful new insights for African American studies, gender studies, and military history." -- Charles Moskos,Professor of Sociology, Northwestern University

About the Author

Brenda L. Moore is Associate Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York, Buffalo. A Presidential Appointee to the American Battle Monuments Commission, she served on active duty for six years in the US Army in the United States and Europe.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NYU Press (August 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0814755879
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0814755877
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.76 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 36 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Brenda L. Moore

Brenda L. Moore

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
36 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

karen taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Educational
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
Loved learning more about the 6888 women and seeing their names listed,
Helpful
 Report
nylady
5.0 out of 5 stars A great buy for the price
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
A great buy for the price.I highly recommend this as a must read for everyone. I read it a long time ago and was glad I was able to find it on Amazon as I no longer had mine and it's worth re reading . These wonderful woman that severed the USA should be honored and thanked by our country and it's people .
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
william
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great Book!
Helpful
 Report
Ruby Aridi
4.0 out of 5 stars I would recommend this book - it breaks through the stereotypes and ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
I learned of this book attending an event at the Women's Heritage Center in Baltimore. I was born in England and was a child
during WWII. Learning that black women in the military had served in England perked my interest, why was this not more widely
known. I would recommend this book - it breaks through the stereotypes and highlights the prejudice these brave women were
subjected to. Their service to their country should be recognized more.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Shannan Harper
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a great read
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2023
After reading Sisters in Arms by Kia Alderson, I had to go back to some of the resources she used. This was such an informative book. I really loved hearing about the black women who were there. Just to read what some of our elders and ancestors went through was more of an eye opener. I love an always devour stories like this, and I will continue to do so. Such a good read and resource
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
scott t.
2.0 out of 5 stars Good historical record and social commentary.... lousy story!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2022
2022... saw a quick tv piece about these incredible women of the 6888th Postal and what they accomplished and overcame. Snagged the book from the library system. What a disappointment. The author, 25 years ago, was an academic but still in the Army. This reads like a resource book with tons of verified facts and figures, a little bit of personal info, but zero storyline that follows individuals and their journeys. Feels outdated in that way. Basically a slog to read. So many good recent books about women during wartime, or in the space age, with well done stories to hold attention. Professor Moore just wasn't one of those authors.
Helpful
 Report
baffle Raffle
3.0 out of 5 stars sHORT ON STORY LONG ON FACTS
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book turn out not to be one of my favorites books on the subject of Woman in World 2. I wanted to know more about these brave women who fought for their country,even if that country did not give them equal rights as citizens. All I got was a bunch of statistics and chart,and a few lines from the woman themselves. I had learned more from another book I read about Women in WW11. Very few short quotes and more facts and figures to work with. In fact the first part of the book is more about all woman then African American Woman.She spend alot of time on how the different units where set up but not enough time on the units or the woman themselfs.I would have loved to hear more from the Woman of 6888,tnen dry facts. This book reads much like a term paper,I was disappointed in the book as a whole. Be one of the few books about African Americans in history it it worth a quick look. We own a great deal to brave Woman of both races who fought in WW11--Baffle Raffle over and out
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
John P. Willis
4.0 out of 5 stars Best coverage od black WACS who wewre first to serve overseas.
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is the second book dealing with this WAC unit the other was one written by the Commander Charity Adams Early. It provides good coverage of the women who enlisted and gives a complete roster in an appendix.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report