Review

FREEDOM'S FIGHT by Gary Phillips is actually three stories in one. First we have Gil Giabretto, an African American soldier who has been passing for white for a few years. He is overseas fighting for the United States and is somewhat afraid someone from his past will see him and remember him when he was black. He makes it a point to stay away from the Black troops, which is easy because they are working in the mess hall or doing cleanup jobs. Then, he volunteers for duty that will keep him alone and searching for Germans. Will he survive?

Alma Yates is a reporter for a Black newspaper in Harlem. She has heard many stories of abuse of Black soldiers and she wants to find out the truth of the matter. Twenty Black soldiers have died mysteriously at Fort Huachuca in Arizona and she is determined to find out what killed them and why they died. During her investigation, she notices that two white men with crew cuts like soldiers are following her. Crimpshaw is working for the union of the Pullman Car Porters. He is also upset about the way Black soldiers are being treated. In his work, he runs across Alma Yates and a romance begins. Will he be able to continue his fight for equality for Blacks in America without being killed for his efforts?

Madison Clay is a spy in North Africa for the allied troops. He is pretending to be an African. How long can he continue his act when his fellow Americans are beginning to see through him. Are they the ones he is searching for?

Gary Phillips has written a wonderful historical novel about what was really happening to soldiers, including the Tuskegee Airmen, in World War II. The Germans were fighting Americans, Americans were fighting each other and he Black troops were being abused. While there were three stories, they were tied together in such a way as to blend in very well. The characters were well-developed and it was easy to see why they risked their lives for the United States who had no regard for them. This is a very good book.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers