This was a decent novel. I recommend for fans of the genre.

A unique book I have not stopped thinking about. I loved reading this and felt privileged to gain this perspective. I think this is not only an interesting read but would make a great addition to an English Literature or History class.
It gets 5 stars from me and deservedly so.

A big thank you to Oxford University Press, Pellom McDaniels III, and Netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The editor begins with a drawn-out introduction on the stance of the black man in the early 1900s. Jim Crowe laws were enforced; white supremacy was society's belief. The position of African Americans in the South was precarious and the draft for WWI did not improve this. They had slipshod housing, were refused commanding positions, were given second rate supplies. Luckily Christian's employer, MC Kennedy, kept Christian on a his personal valet. That's the role he played throughout the war. His journal of his sojourn begins on October 5th, 1917.

The memoir reads as more of a travelogue of London than a journal of his thoughts and opinions. He catalogues his activity day-to-day, but never how he feels about his plight. He was a servant. He, as an African American, wasn't seen fit for active duty. And I have to wonder after having read this, if perhaps he was too soft for battle anyway-if he would have survived active duty. He seemed quite satisfied to serve at table, to be a sightseer, a gopher. It just didn't seem to occur to him that there could be a different life out there for him.

I'm not sure what the editor wishes to convey with the publishing of this book. Various photos included show the rough responsibilities of soldiery, which our subject had nothing to do with. Now that would make for an interesting book. This one was just 1900s English impressions.