The Colored Cadet at West Point Autobiography of Lieut. Henry Ossian Flipper, first graduate of color from the U. S. Military Academy

by Henry Ossian Flipper

The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: African American military cadets/ New York (State)/ West Point/ Biography; United States Military Academy; Military cadets - United States; Flipper, Henry Ossian; African American military cadets - New York (State) - West Point; Military cadets; African American military cadets; Biography

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, War, Autobiography

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Ossian Flipper wrote this biography of his time at West Point shortly after graduating from there, the first black man to do so. Working on a review....

This book can be read for free on Kindle or by various sources including Project Gutenberg. From the little I have learned about him he was incredibly intelligent, well-liked by most, hard-working and paved the way for his race in the early years after the Civil War; it is puzzling as well as sad that his story is so little known.

[Richard Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This book shows how it was at West Point during the 1870’s for a cadet who happened to be black. It also reveals how bigoted the Northern cadets were against Cadet Flipper.

[Alex Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

First hand account of the first African American to graduate West Point who was born as a slave before the Civil War ended. The book also includes accounts of other AA cadets who didn't graduate and stories printed in various papers at the time. Overall, it is a very real look into a time that is taught in school, but rarely shown via first hand experience.

[Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book gave lots of information about Henry Flipper and his life accomplishments.

[Andre S. Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, compelling story.

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating first-hand history to read along with his memoirs of being a mining engineer in Mexico and a Spanish-speaking historian.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry Ossian Flipper's autobiography, The Colored Cadet at West Point is the story of the first African American to graduate from West Point. It is a description of his family history, his birth, education and the years he spent at West Point. Flipper describes the course requirements, rules and regulations for each year of his West Point Career. What I liked about the book was that it not only dwelled on military training but also on the prejudice of being the only black person in West Point. Flipper gives accounts of exactly how much social ostracism he endures at West Point. He describes in four years at West Point the threats, bribes and refusal of other cadets to speak to him for for the four years he was there. Through it all Flipper succeeds as well as the book he writes.

[Ernest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir of the struggles and achievement of being the first African American graduate of the United States Military Academy. Flipper was the fifth person of color to attend the Academy. He gives details of the academic rigor and social challenges. A nice addition is the inclusion of newspaper stories during his time at West Point. He does not avoid the issues of racism and the book concludes with the racism experienced by the 4th student who made it to the final year before being dismissed. A great time capsule of the 1870s and West Point

[Missy W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! Sad, tho, that not much has changed in this country concerning people's attitudes about each other.