The view that slavery could best be described by those who had themselves experienced it personally has found expression in several thousand commentaries; autobiographies; narratives; and interviews with those who "endured." Although most of these accounts appeared before the Civil War; more than one-third are the result of the ambitious efforts of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to interview surviving ex-slaves during the 1930s. The result of these efforts was the Slave Narrative Collection; a group of autobiographical accounts of former slaves that today stands as one of the most enduring and noteworthy achievements of the WPA. Compiled in seventeen states during the years 1936-38; the collection consists of more than two thousand interviews with former slaves; most of them first-person accounts of slave life and the respondents' own reactions to bondage. The interviews afforded aged ex-slaves an unparalleled opportunity to give their personal accounts of life under the "peculiar institution;" to describe in their own words what it felt like to be a slave in the United States.―Norman R. Yetman; American Memory; Library of CongressThis paperback edition of selected Florida narratives is reprinted in facsimile from the typewritten pages of the interviewers; just as they were originally typed.
#1295434 in Books 2001-01-31 2006-07-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .88 x 6.00l; 1.26 #File Name: 1552124894390 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An outstanding true account of the formation of the LRRP's and of the making Of a Warrior.By OBXNC"I Served" is a frank and honest account of a young man in America; growing up in difficult circumstances; who is thrust into something much bigger than himself; war. More than that; it's an account of the "formal" introduction of the "LRRPs" into the ranks of the elite "Airborne Infantry" in the US Army. It begins with Mr. Hall's depiction of a young man and his brother being taken and deposited into a Catholic Orphanage by their father; himself a victim of war. Mr. Hall's sad yet also humerous account of his time at the orphanage is highlighted by his meeting Annette; the girl he would grow to love and eventually marry. The real pull of his book; however; begins with his introduction to war while serving with the "Herd"; or the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam. Mr. Hall subsequently volunteers for what would become the 51st LRRPs. The account from there brings back memories of another time for me. Recondo School. The countless hours of patrol on little or no sleep. Learning to welcome darkness as an old friend. Learning to operate behind the lines with a small group of men that you with no hesitation trust your life with. Then; his accounts of combat. The smell of cordite. The primordial adrenaline rush. The fears. The boredom interrupted by brief moments of sheer terror and hatred. The wonder and puzzlement and happiness of killing and yet living to fight another day. The disgust of those in the chain of command above you who are not being willing to lead in the field; and the admiration and upmost respect towards those that do. The disdain upon leaving the killing fields to find non-combatants being upset over the most petty of things. And ultimately; the reuniting with Annette and their marriage. I have read many outstanding books on combat; war and the like. But there is something about this book that draws not only combat vets like myself to it but also the person looking for a darn good read. A well written book which I highly recommend to all.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ... riveting tale (first hand account) of what it was like in vietnamBy Troy S.I served is a riveting tale (first hand account) of what it was like in vietnam. Once you start reading this book its difficult to put it down. I find few books that can hold my attention;This one I always looked forward to returning too. This book is for anyone who enjoys war history or is searching for a better understanding of the war.I applaud Mr. Hall and his wife Annette for sharing some of their life with us.It is a wonderful and well written book.Would recommend to all that enjoying reading and like a real honest depiction of an event such as the vietnam war.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. tonight I finished my copy of "I Served" It is the story of one of the first and finest LRP units in the US Army during the VietBy CustomerRare is the day when I am sorry to finish a book. Well; tonight I finished my copy of "I Served" It is the story of one of the first and finest LRP units in the US Army during the Vietnam war. Simply stated; if you ever led a patrol on an ambush or raid after 1968; especially in a Light Infantry unit in the 80's; Company F; 51st Infantry helped pioneer the tactics you used. So to Don I say; I am glad you made it through the war; but I am truly truly sorry the book is over. LT
