Reviews
'The book has many strengths, notably the extensive utilization of archival sources and private family letters and images. It also helps to elucidate the operation of social Darwinism in British society and in the military.... I would recommend this book to those interested in such fields as the British Empire, military history, and world history. They will find this book captivating.' <br />
Paul Brenard, <i>H-War</i>
'This is a well researched and written title on a forgotten part of the Great War and is highly recommended.'<br />
Paul Reed, <i>WW1 Centenary</i>
'The book has many strengths, notably the extensive utilization of archival sources and private family letters and images....I would recommend this book to those interested in such fields as the British Empire, military history, and world history. They will find this book captivating.'<br />
Paul Brenard Chiudza Banda, <i>H-Net Reviews</i>
'Costello has produced a well-written, interesting, and pioneering book that will undoubtedly serve as a base for future research on Britain’s black servicemen of the First World War and, one hopes, beyond.'<br />
Tim Stapleton, <i>Journal of British Studies</i>
<p>‘Costello’s well-researched and engagingly
written study shows clearly how, while small in numbers, British born or
naturalised black soldiers contributed to the war itself, as well as to life in
British ports, and British officers’ perceptions of race during the war years…Costello’s book
is engagingly written and will appeal to a wide readership, both inside and outside the academy.’</p><p>Oliver Coates, <i>Journal
of African Military History </i></p>
- Acknowledgements
- List of illustrations
- Introduction
- Chapter One: Whose War?
- Chapter Two: The Invisible Army-The Search
- Chapter Three: Black Volunteers-The Empire and Beyond
- Chapter Four: Black Officers, White Soldiers
- Chapter Five: The Empire Arrives-Conscription
- Chapter Six: The Return of the Heroes
- Epilogue
- Notes and References