Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment

by Clinton Cox

A look back at the African Americans who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War describes how, despite the fact that they were treated like second-class soldiers, the men proved their courage in battle.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Civil War, Middle Grade, American Civil War

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Undying Glory is Scholastic’s biography edition regarding the Massachusetts 54th regiment which consisted of African American soldiers during the Civil War. I picked this up as a supplement for my children who are learning about the Civil War, specifically the 54th regiment.

This book was nothing like what I expected. I don’t like the organization at all; it’s like a jumbled mess of facts and quotes that likely won’t be remembered. It’s probably best for those who are writing a paper or need it for research purposes—and best for 7th grade and up. Don’t get me wrong; it’s jam-packed with information, but I wasn’t happy with the presentation. We did appreciate the pictures, all of which can be found online. I was hoping they’d offer some specifics on some of the soldiers in the 54th, but it’s absent from this edition.

My recommendation would be to watch the movie “Glory” first to get a general understanding. The violence and bloodshed is something parents may want to avoid for younger children, but I believe the movie is fairly accurate, powerful, and very much worth viewing. Do check out this book to see if it works for you.

2**

[Bella off hiatus · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
Superrrr boring, hared every second

[Jeanna ❧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

True to Scholastic standards, this book provides an excellent introductory reading to the wonder that is the 54th.

In summary, it tells mostly of the famous battle at Fort Wagner and the struggles and tribulations faced throughout the entirety of the book. If you're looking for extra content, you won't find them here. Undying Glory is mostly intended for younger readers and those with little knowledge of whom the 54th were. It could also be a great book for fans of the 54th who wish to read another authors take on this celebrated regiment. Overall, it is not a challenging read at all and appropriate for children who wish to learn more about American Civil War histories without being too cluttered with political upheavals, graphic depictions, and bias.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my 10 year-old grandson. It is an accounting of the 54th regiment from Massachusetts, a black unit with white officers, that served in the Civil War.
It relates how the Black soldiers were often used for fatigue duty, digging trenches and other menial tasks, instead of soldiering they were trained for. Even though many white military officers complimented the Black units for being better than some of the other units, one officer is quoted as “better than the Irish” in my unit.
This book follows the 54th from the time of their enlistment through to the end of the war and is an interesting look from a different point of view.

[Mike Barat · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you didn't know much about the 54Th black regiment of the civil war such as myself other than the movie Glory, than this book is for you. it's only 148 pages, but still manages to give you some interesting facts, even though I feel this book could have still gone into a little more detail at times. Nonetheless this book is written at good pace, and I will read more about the 54Th Regiment in the future. That I suppose is what the author was trying to accomplish.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a book about Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. His brigade would continue on to fight after his noble death at Fort Wagner. And as for noble? The black men of the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry refused pay for the first 18 months in service because the Government wanted to pay them as laborers rather than soldiers.

Thou canst not drive, while with the sweat
Of unpaid toil thy hands are wet,
Nor canst thou hope for peace or joy
Till thou Oppression doth destroy.

"Rally! and prove that ye are men!
Rally! and let us do or die!
For war, not death, shall boast a shade
To daunt the Union Black Brigade!"

Jame Madison Bell, 1862

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although short in pages, this fascinating look at the 54th is long on facts and action. It's very rare for a short book to pack so much information in without being dry, but Mr. Cox has managed it! A vivid picture of the formation of the MA 54th, and the circumstances surrounding it and their place in the Civil War's and the US' history.

[Julián Maldonado Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In the first five days Appleton recruited 25 men and, before the office closed a few weeks later, almost 30 more. Appleton was often taunted by whites opposed to enlisting black soldiers, but by the end of March he had enough recruits to make up the regiment's first company: Company A,"

Clinton Cox, Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts Fifty-Fourth Regiment

[Patrick Trent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of the Massachusetts 54th black regiment that fought during the Civil War.

[Samuel Steffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cox provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the 54th Massachusetts.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comments from a history teacher

Okay - so hear I am once again reading a kid's book. However, it is for my classroom library - I try to read them all so I can make recommendations.

For those not in the know, Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment is a brief history of the 54th Massachusetts - the first official regiment of blacks in the American Civil War. The unit was immortalized in the Academy Award winning film Glory , starring Denzel Washington.

Cox has the great majority of his facts straight (I have some quibbles, such as when he claims that a good soldier could load and shoot a civil war rifle in about 45 seconds, when the reality was that a competent soldier could do it up to 3 times per minute.)

The larger problem goes from being factual to the problem of being written in such a way that young people would be interested. Cox tells the story, but rarely in a narrative form. From time to time it becomes merely a series of facts written in a plain, simple style rather than a gripping tale of history.

I give it a rather high score as I am grading on a curve today. 4 out of 5 in this case means that it is readable, factually correct book, but written in a rather uninspired manner that is unlikely to spur on a reluctant reader.

See all of my reviews on American Civil War-related books here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts Fifty-Fourth Regiment, is a phenomenal book, this book really shows the hard ships that African-American had to face just, so they could fight for a nation that was divided half for non-slave rights, or for slaves to be free and the other half fought for the right to own slave. This book really shows me the reader what it was like back then, unlike now, African-American’s had to get paid less and there was a little of them in the army, unlike now every one no matter what race gets paid the same, depending what rank you are of course. Basically I think this book deserves somewhat of an award.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who did President Lincoln credit with "turning the tide of the Civil War?" If you don't know, you need to read this book. A riveting story, and hugely important in truly understanding the Civil War and the plight of African Americans in the U.S.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book - I covered the Massachusetts 54th as part of a Civil War unit at the end of this school year and this gave me lots of material. Great book!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this as a kid. It was a great introduction to the story of the 54th.

[Luca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it rather enjoyable, I wtached the movie on this to.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 161562 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 8.3 - AR Pts: 6.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[Emery Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is really good for those who enjoy history and action

[Maren]

This was one of my favorite books that I read in high school.