Book Description
A remarkable and moving memoir of growing up poor in a tough place and covering the most brutal-though often inspiring-aspects of the civil rights revolution
Legendary civil rights reporter Karl Fleming was born in North Carolina's flattest, bleakest tobacco landscape. Raised in a Methodist orphanage during the Great Depression, he was isolated from much of the world around him until an early newspaper job introduced him to the era's brutal racial politics and a subsequent posting as Newsweek's lead civil rights reporter took him to the South's hotspots throughout the 1960s: James Meredith's enrollment at the University of Mississipi, the 1963 Birmingham church bombing, the assassination of Medgar Evers, the murders of three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and more. On May 17, 1966, Fleming was beaten by black rioters on the streets of Los Angeles. Newsweek covered the incident in their next issue, and here's what they wrote:"That he was beaten by Negroes in the streets of Watts was a cruel irony. Fleming had covered the landmark battles of the Negro revolt from Albany, Ga., to Oxford, Miss., to Birmingham, Ala., and numberless way stations whose names are now all but forgotten..... No journalist was more closely tuned into the Movement; once when a Newsweek Washington correspondent asked the Justice Department to name some Dixie hot spots, the Justice man replied, 'Ask Fleming. That's what we do.'"
In Son of the Rough South, Fleming has delivered a stunning, revealing memoir of all the worlds he knew, black, white, violent, and cloistered-and a deeply moving read for anyone interested in any rough South.
Customer Reviews:
Must read this book.......2007-03-16
This is an important book for anyone interested in understanding the USA
in the 20th century. Rich, detailed and well written. A great cant-put- down read. I will read it again.
What am I missing?.......2007-01-17
I was hoping for an informed history of the civil rights movement in America. Instead, I found this book to be Fleming's catharsis. I don't care about his sexual experiences, and although they may have scarred him or contributed to his personality quirks, they have nothing to do with the civil riights movement. The "I was a poor orphan", while touching, could have been reduced from 300 pages to about 30. Do not waste your time.
Vivid, disturbing, and uplifting.......2006-10-26
This is a terrific book: a personal story that is vivid and candid.
A history of the black & white civil rights struggle.
A poignant picture of growing up orphaned and Southern.
Portraits of the leaders of the 1960s civil rights movement, plus the indelible events of the time.
Fleming writes with impeccable detail and drama.
He blends his difficult upbringing with the difficult era of black people vying for respect in America.
Interesting: Fleming shows the subtle side of this conflict: how a white Southerner reacts to blacks and to Northerners.
If you like memoirs, read this; if you are attracted to American history, this is a vital piece of it.
This is the kind of book that should be a big selling book. But don't worry, it will be remembered as an essential document of the ways Americans sought to build a society of dignity.
Son Of The Rough South.......2005-10-14
My granddaughter recommended this book to me. She is studying the civil rights movement at Rutgers University. It is one of the most outstanding books I have ever read. It is sad, funny, colorful, and true.
Karl Fleming is my new hero. I am also from North Carolina, went to the same college, and am only a few years younger, so I can identify with many of his experiences. He is a very brave person to have taken a stand against segregation when he did. Many of us cringed at the mistreatment of Blacks in those days but were afraid to speak up.
In addition, Karl's ability to describe surroundings and provide details made me feel that I was there. Sometimes I was there. I, too, took modern dance from Joy Kirchner,the red headed teacher at Appalachian. I knew the English professor who was crazy about Shakesphere and had liquor on his breath. But, that is not what makes the book outstanding. Karl Fleming is just a great, great writer. You will be glad you read this book
Excellent reading.......2005-09-20
I was motivated to buy this after hearing the author interviewed on NPR. A native of Mississippi, I was interested in his accounts of the Neshoba County murders of three civil rights workers, and of the riot which occurred on the Ole Miss campus when National Guardsmen arrived to help James Meredith enroll there. The author has been present to record, and sometimes participate in, history, but the most interesting part was his recollection of his impoverished Depression-era childhood. The writing style is conversational and easy to read. You can definitely tell he's a journalist by trade. Well worth any price you pay.
Book Description
The part played by Australian and New Zealand troops in the Vietnam War is sometimes overlooked; but it is generally accepted that the 'Diggers' and 'Kiwis' were among the most effective and professional troops involved. Drawing upon the ANZACs' long experience in the jungles of South East Asia, the men of the Task Force used their expertise in patrol tactics to great effect to frustrate Viet Cong operations. Meanwhile the ANZACs’ small and isolated adviser teams spent ten years passing on their skills all over South Vietnam, and in the process four were awarded the supreme decoration for valour - the Victoria Cross. This book pays tribute to their military prowess, and describes and illustrates their uniforms and equipment in unprecedented detail.
Customer Reviews:
Unique Topic.......2006-07-20
Vietnam ANZACs - Australian & New Zealand Troops in Vietnam, 1962-72 is the latest Vietnam War-related volume in Osprey Publishing's Elite Series. For years Osprey has been known for its excellent treatment of a wide variety of military history topics and this volume is no exception. Kevin Lyles has written and/or illustrated more than a dozen books on military history, most particularly on the Vietnam War, his area of special interest. Lyles does double duty as both the book's author and illustrator, allowing for a greater coordination between the photographs and artwork than is possible when different individuals perform the roles of author and illustrator.
It is only fitting that Lyle, a member of the British Commonwealth, should turn his attention to the contributions of Australia and New Zealand during the Vietnam War. The term `ANZAC' originally referred to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps of World War I, but has remained in use for Australian and New Zealand troops. While these nation's troop commitments to South Vietnam may seem small (only 8000 at their peak in 1968), the population of both nations combined was approximately the same as New York state by itself.
Lyles begins by discussing the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), which would serve in Vietnam for more than ten years and became the most decorated (including four Victoria Crosses) unit of its size in the Australian Army. These men, mostly from the infantry and SAS, were professional soldiers, many of whom had already seen combat in Malaya in the 1950s and who worked closely with the South Vietnamese. Lyles then discusses the actions of the regular army units from Australia and New Zealand.
While the majority of the regular army troops were trained in conventional warfare, they employed a radically different style from American soldiers. The U.S. Army employed large, conventional forces and took advantage of their tactical mobility and heavy firepower over the Viet Cong. The ANZACs, on the other hand, widely dispersed their forces and used stealth to hunt the enemy - a tactic used by some more elite formations of the American military. Lyles concludes this section by discussing the most well-known ANZAC battle - Long Tan. On 18 August 1966 at the rubber plantation of Long Tan, D Company, 6th Royal Australian Regiment, with the fire support from American and New Zealand artillery defeated the Viet Cong 445th Battalion and 275th Regiment, who outnumbered them more than 10-1.
The remainder of the book includes a chronology, an order of battle, and a discussion of uniforms and equipment. In fact, more than half of the book is taken up by photos, artwork, and the discussion of uniforms and equipment. All of these are of the highest quality, but it is important for readers to understand that this is not a comprehensive history. With that one caveat in mind, I wholeheartedly recommend this book for those interested in Australian and New Zealand military history and/or the Vietnam War.
Long overdue treatment for a niche subject.......2005-01-07
Given that Vietnam War uniforms is a pet subject of Kevin Lyles and knowing that he has devoted a number of years to this project, I had high expectations of this book. I am happy to report that these have largely been fulfilled.
I'll admit this is not exactly an objective review - firstly the author, Kevin Lyles, is my favourite military artist; secondly the title covers a subject which I myself have done an extensive amount of reading and collecting into over the years.
Lyles starts off with a brief political and military background and then describes the gradual build up of ANZAC forces. The text continues on to include differences in warfighting doctrine between the Allies and a brief description of the Battle of Long Tan.
The author illustrates and describes very well the genesis of the ANZAC uniform from the first combat troops to the pull-out 10 years later. In dealing with the complexity of the subject he has logically divided the subject matter into chapters dealing with Australian uniforms; Australian webbing; NZ uniforms & equipment; and finally SASR/NZSAS field dress.
Some of the photos are pics that have appeared in other publications but all illustrate quite well points that the author desired to stress.
The colour plates are simply stunning and illustrate well the uniform genesis from early to late war and covers not only the average 'digger' but also includes special forces, advisors and other corps.
In summary this book is an absolute gem in that it covers quite comprehensively a niche subject that has been largely ignored or simply been wrongly reported by other less-informed publications. The text is packed full of precious tidbits of information and the colour illustrations are .. well, it's Lyles!
Although aimed primarily at the collector/modeller I have to say that if you have any interest at all in the Australian military or the Vietnam War then this book should sit on your bookshelf.
Customer Reviews:
History in the making.......2007-05-16
It is a true history of the battalion based on its records and those who served with this Battalion.
Average customer rating:
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Last Out: 4Rar/Nz (Anzac) Battalion's Second Tour in Vietnam
Jerry Taylor
Manufacturer: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited (Australia)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Vietnam
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Australia
| Australia & Oceania
| History
| Subjects
| Books
New Zealand
| Australia & Oceania
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1865085618 |
Average customer rating:
- A letter to Mike Subritzky
- A letter to Mike Subritzky
- UNDERSTANDING VIETNAM VETERANS
- KIWI RECOLLECTIONS OF THE VIETNAM WAR
- A LONG AWAITED HISTORY
|
The Vietnam scrapbook: The second Anzac adventure
Manufacturer: Three Feathers Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Southeast Asia
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0958348405 |
Customer Reviews:
A letter to Mike Subritzky.......1997-11-03
VIETNAM SCRAPBOOK by Mike Subritzky. "Kia Ora Mike",
I have recently been reading my copy of 'The' Scrapbook...it is really something of a time machine.
During a recent discussion at the local RSA (Returned Services Association) it was mentioned that Henry Rau, a private in Whiskey 2 Company RNZIR received the Cross of Gallantry (with Silver Star) apparently this was presented to him by 'Big Mhin'.
This didn't ring a bell so I checked the book and see that Henry is conspicuous by his absence.
This isn't meant to be a criticism, and it's not as if Henry is upset, I just thought that I would let you know in case you had recovered from your exertions sufficiently to contemplate another edition...All the best for 97, Ron R. Vietnam Vet, New Plymouth, NEW ZEALAND.
A letter to Mike Subritzky.......1997-11-03
THE VIETNAM SCRAPBOOK by Mike Subritzky. Hi Mike,
Thanks forthe book - I enjoyed the presentation, layout and the way it setsabout dispelling a few myths about what soldering is really about...in this era of 'Rambo Fairy Tales'.
Kind Regards, Martin Knight-Willis M.C.; Takapuna, NEW ZEALAND.
(Post Script - The citation for the above New Zealand soldiers award of the Military Cross reads as follows...Ed)
CITATION FOR MILITARY CROSS LIEUTENANT M.J. KNIGHT-WILLIS: "On the 15th April 1969, his platoon contacted a larger enemy force well entrenched in a bunker system. Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS immediately moved to the front of his platoon to direct their fire and that of supporting artillery and mortars. Burdened with a number of wounded and realising the enemy was too large to be overcome he skillfully broke contact, defeating a flanking attack in the process.
As soon as his wounded had been evacuated, Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS led his platoon back to the enemy position and started to engage it. In the ensuing action he suffered a serious shrapnel wound to the head but continued to direct the battle. It was only after the enemy position had been struck from the air and he had led his platoon back to the company base that Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS was evacuted.
A search of the area the next day showed that an enemy force, vastly superior in numbers, had vacated its position immediately prior to the airstrike, and as a direct result of the determined assaults led by Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS.
On the 3rd June 1969, his platoon engaged and killed two enemy soldiers. The platoon was immediately engaged from three sides with automatic weapons. Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS again displayed outstanding courage and leadership, moving constantly amongst his soldiers, encouraging them and directing their fire. Throughout the action he skillfully directed the fire of supporting mortars, artillery and aircraft, and for nearly four and a half hours, until the enemy withdrew, his platoon had encountered an enemy battalion position.
On both occasions large enemy forces were dislodged and forced to retire because of the aggressive and determined leadership of Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS, his calmness under heavy enemy fire and the skill he displayed in directing the fire of his own soldiers and supporting units. His personal example in placing himself in dangerous situations during these actions attest the courage and outstanding leadership displayed by Lieutenant KNIGHT-WILLIS". (New Zealand Army Information Service, March 1970). END
UNDERSTANDING VIETNAM VETERANS.......1997-11-03
THE VIETNAM SCRAPBOOK. Michael Subritzky-Kusza Ct, GCStS.
Dear Sir,
Just recently I borrowed the book "The Vietnam Scrapbook" from the local library. My late nephew Colin von Rickenbach, a Vietnam Veteran had purchased a copy of the book and had mentioned to me that he would lend it to me when he had read it.......however he passed away in May this year. It was a big comfort to me to see his photo taken with all the other men of the Victor Company's.
Also a mention of Gunner Stuart Ellwood (Killed in Action 6 February 1968) whom we knew personally and had contact with during his time in Vietnam.
If I had been able to read the book before Colin died I would have had a greater understanding of the problems that some of those guys returned with.........namely the anger bursts and the inability to talk about what they really felt. I witnessed a few of the anger bursts and was at a loss as to why it happened at all .........but after reading the book I do understand and this is a step nearer helping some of the guys to come to terms with it if at all possible.
Thank you for putting the book together and I have mentioned to various friends and relatives that they should read the book in depth.
Once again....thank you.
Mrs. C. McG....Hawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND.
KIWI RECOLLECTIONS OF THE VIETNAM WAR.......1997-11-02
THE VIETNAM SCRAPBOOK by Michael Subritzky. Three Feathers Publishing. Reviewed by "Notewell" for CONTACT Magazine, the official newsletter of the New Zealand Ex-Vietnam Services Association. Hard on the heels of "Deep Jay" and "Three Lanyards in Vietnam", comes another book on Kiwis in Nam. The Vietnam Scrapbook is a big book, as in big in size, hard cover - hence no doubt the price, which is still pretty reasonable. The author has served 23 years in the New Zealand Armed Forces and has written and collated this book in "scrapbook" form, that is a collection of reminiscences, experiences, maps and photographs obtained from Nam Vets, and official sources.
The listings in the book are impressive - a complete list of everyone of the 186 casualties suffered, where they were casevaced to (WIA's), type of wound suffered, the list of those who died and susequent burial place, honours and awards issued from 1965 - 1972, including Unit Citations, and probably the most interesting list in terms of historical significance - the "Flinkenberg" list, a complete listing of the 3,500 New Zealand Military personnel who served in Vietnam - so if you served "up top" - your'e in the book.
This is not just an Army book - it also reflects the Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel who served; along with the sometimes overlooked other Army Corps and trades who kept the 'Grunts' (Infantry), 'Supertroops' (SAS) and Gunners at the sharp end with their support. Cooks etc (OK - Bill Joyce, as an ex Grunt, I for one appreciated what you guys did for us with limited resources in the "Dat" (Nui Dat), and on the "Horseshoe" (Fire Support Base Horseshoe) between operational trips out in the sticks...but the powered eggs weren't that great; that aside the Cooks did us proud...you were OK guys!). Tankies, Int, Clerks, Drivers, Medics, Ordnance, and of course Grunts, Supertroops and Gunners.
Some of the recollections in the book are printed verbatim - so the blurb on the cover concerning language rings true, (although I can't see anyone going ballistic over it). The photographs are from official and private sources - so some of them are no doubt seeing the light of day for the first time in print.
Three interesting articles in the book are the personal recollections of that day in August 1966 - Long Tan, by each member of 161 Battery's Forward Observor party who fought with Delta Company, 6 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment). Captain Maurie Stanley MBE, Lance Bombardiers Willie Walker MID and Murray Broomhall who contributed their own accounts of that fateful day in the rubber plantation at Long Tan...very interesting. (Ranks shown were at the date of the battle).
Also reproduced - verbatim - in the book are the charge sheets of some naughty Gunners - one in particular "the most famous charge sheet of a New Zealand soldier during the Vietnam War"...namely decking an officer, in possession of alcoholic liquor, using threatening language (shown exactly as said). Nice to see that the Gunners can cut it with the Grunts when it comes to "going over the wire".
Overall this book is a pretty impressive effort, which the author has obviously put a lot of effort into. It's well produced in an easy to read style...scrapbook fashion. Is it worth the cost? - definitely, an essential addition to your book collection and of historical value for future generations of family. A GREAT READ. - (and Thanx Mike for putting the photo of "Notewell" in it !)...and No - it wasn't a jackup either. ****
A LONG AWAITED HISTORY.......1997-11-02
THE VIETNAM SCRAPBOOK 'The Second ANZAC Adventure' by Mike Subritzky. Published by Three Feathers Publishing. Reviewed by Bruce Hill for the NZSAS Newsletter "The Free Glance". This is a book that all Vietnam Veterans will want to have in their bookshelves. This book contains a brief history of all NZ Army units that took part in the Vietnam War and also the NZ Surgical Team at Qui Nhon. There are over 300 (A4) pages of text, including over 200 pages of personal accounts. There are more than 400 photographs, maps etc. The book includes lists of the Roll of Honour of the 39 dead and 200 wounded of that war, and also lists of the honours and awards presented to New Zealanders for service in Vietnam - including honours and awards presented by the Governments of USA and SVN. I found the book a very useful reference, with a good range of material.
Book Description
As an engaging and persuasive survey of American public life from 1816 to 1848, Harry L. Watson's Liberty and Power remains a landmark achievement. Now updated to address twenty-five years of new scholarship, the book brilliantly interprets the exciting political landscape that was the age of Jackson-a time that saw the rise of strong political parties and an increased popular involvement in national politics. In this enduring and impressive work, Watson examines the tension between liberty and power that both characterized the period and formed part of its historical legacy.
Customer Reviews:
IN THE AGE OF JACKSON.......2007-05-23
The central story line of the Jacksonian period economically, socially and politically was the fight over the establishment, continuation and rechartering of the Bank of the United States which despite its name was a privately owned corporation headed by the notorious Nicholas Biddle. In short the story was, as almost always under capitalism, about the money. Hard money, paper money, metallic money, federal money, state money, no money. It is all there. As confusing and, frankly, somewhat trivial as the issues may seem to the 21st century mind the various fights determined the path of capitalist formation for the rest of the 19th century. One does not have to be a partisan of any particular monetary policy to know that if the Biddle-led forces had won then capital formation in the United States would have taken a very different turn. Thus, the essential Jacksonian victory on the bank question is one that militants today can give a retroactive endorsement. To my mind the definitive assessment of the period is still Arthur Schlesinger's Age of Jackson. For those who want a shorter version of that epic updated to include more details about party formation, women and culture in the period the present book will do just fine.
Although control of the money was the underlying premise for the political fights of the day they also represented some very different appreciations of what American society should look like. Watson, even more than Schlesinger, goes to great pains to highlight the various factions within each of the coalescing parties that would come to form the Democratic and Republican two-party system that we are familiar with today. Moreover, these fights had different implications for differing sections of the country. In that regard the names Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay and their various congressional devotees can generally stand to represent the various sectional interests. One might also note that names that became familiar in the immediate pre-Civil War period, like Abraham Lincoln, James Buchanan, John Bell, Gideon Welles, William Seward, etc. started to receive political notice as secondary figures during this period. One should also note that this was a period of political realignment and that the political situation was fluid enough that with changing political winds the various leading personalities were as likely to change sides as not. Readers should pick up the trail that both Schlesinger and Watson only allude to on the importance on the third party Liberty and Free Soil Parties Despite that lapse dealing with the various political manifestations of the period is the strongest part of the professor's book.
Good overview of period and its implications for US history.......2005-04-19
I used Liberty and Power to teach the Jacksonian period to international students for a course on US History. The book started right where Gordon Wood's "Radicalism of the American Revolution" left off with the splintering of the Democrat-Republicans and the emergence of the Democrat Party. Because the book was not too long but still had some great ideas, it served very well as a textbook. The book does not go into an excruciating amount of detail, so it may not be ideal for those who desire primary source material. Probably Watson's best effort is seen in his description of the Democrat and Whig parties, their constituencies, and their platforms. He shines in showing how contemporary forces led to the creation of these parties, and how they continued to shape them.
I gave the book 4 stars because I am not entirely convinced by the message behind its title. One could argue that the struggle between "Liberty" and "Power" began not with the Whigs and Democrats, but could be traced back to the Federalists and Democrat-Republicans over the First B.U.S. in the 1790s or even the Federalists and Antifederalists over the ratification of the US Constitution. The National Republicans/Whigs can be interpreted as inheriting the Federalists' role as promoting the economic and fiscal strength of the nation. Furthermore, Watson himself states that both the Whigs and Democrats, as the children of the previous Democrat-Republicans portrayed themselves as the champions of liberty, with the Democrats casting "big money" and corruption as the enemies of liberty and the Whigs struggling against what they interpreted as Jackson's absolutism ("King Andrew") and partisanship which the Founding Fathers themselves decried.
Watson could have written a little more in Chapter 7 on Van Buren, Harrison, and Tyler. Quite a lot happened in these 8 years, including the rise of the railroads and the explosion of the Market Revolution. The events of these years also led to the Mexican War, which itself would have profound implications on the future unity of the nation.
I think the most important lesson learned from this book is how the American party system began, which has continued more or less into the modern age. The reader will see the role which religion played in government even in these early years, along with anti-immigration and fear of big government among other political sentiments which exist even today.
AP US History Student.......2002-12-16
Through this book I gained a better understanding of the politics of Jacksonian America. To call Liberty & Power a textbook would be a great injustice; Liberty & Power is more like a novel about a forgotten people and time.
Propaganda as organizing principle........2000-02-19
It may be that "liberty vs. power" was the central political trope of antebellum times, but that doesn't make it an accurate description of antebellum politics. Really, this book is a very simplistic account of that pivotal period. I suggest reading William Freehling's _The Road to Disunion_ for a more nuanced view.
Very comprehensive.......1998-11-17
This book by Harry Watson provides a facinating look at the Jacksonian era and the struggles between liberty and power in Antebellum America.
Books:
- Soul on Ice
- Speak, Memory: An Autobiography Revisited
- STOLEN LIVES: MY FAMILY'S TWENTY-YEAR STRUGGLE IN A DESERT JAIL (Oprah's Book Club)
- Sugar in the Raw: Voices of Young Black Girls in America
- Surviving Deployment: A Guide for Military Families
- Tempered Steel: The Three Wars of Triple Air Force Cross Winner Jim Kasler
- Ten Minutes from Normal
- The Age of Anxiety: McCarthyism to Terrorism
- The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness: A True Story
- The Burn Journals
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