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Not Only War: A Story of Two Great Conflicts
"Not Only War: A Story of Two Great Conflicts" is the only World War I novel written by an African American veteran. In the book, Montgomery Jason, an idealistic African American college student, enlists in the Army to fight for freedom and democracy. When he falls in love with a Frenchwoman, Montgomery learns that freedom and democracy do not apply to black soldiers.
Victor Daly wrote "Not Only War" in the midst of a major shift in America's racial dynamics. Hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North to work in wartime industries, and thousands more joined the American Expeditionary Force. Daly was among a small group of African Americans who trained as officers. He saw combat in France and was decorated for his service there.
After the war, when racial violence in America escalated, Daly and many other returning soldiers fought for civil rights. During the Harlem Renaissance, African Americans used literature to make the case for equality. In "Not Only War, " Daly portrays the effects of the color line on black soldiers in the segregated military. The two great conflicts in the book are the physical combat of war and the psychological combat of racism.
In addition to the original content of "Not Only War, " this paperback reprint includes three short stories and a previously published interview, as well as an introduction by David A. Davis.
Victor Daly wrote "Not Only War" in the midst of a major shift in America's racial dynamics. Hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North to work in wartime industries, and thousands more joined the American Expeditionary Force. Daly was among a small group of African Americans who trained as officers. He saw combat in France and was decorated for his service there.
After the war, when racial violence in America escalated, Daly and many other returning soldiers fought for civil rights. During the Harlem Renaissance, African Americans used literature to make the case for equality. In "Not Only War, " Daly portrays the effects of the color line on black soldiers in the segregated military. The two great conflicts in the book are the physical combat of war and the psychological combat of racism.
In addition to the original content of "Not Only War, " this paperback reprint includes three short stories and a previously published interview, as well as an introduction by David A. Davis.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1932
58 people want to read
About the author
Victor Daly
3 booksVictor Daly is the author of the novel "Not Only War: A Story of Two Great Conflicts" (1932), about African American soldiers in the First World War and the racism they experienced while serving in the U.S. Army and afterward. It is believed to be the only First World War novel written by an African American veteran.
After serving in France, where he received the Croix de Guerre, Daly completed his degree at Cornell University, then worked under Carter G. Woodson as managing editor of the Journal of Negro History from 1922 to 1934, and for the US Department of Labor from 1934 to 1966. He also wrote short fiction that was published in The Crisis, and essays on civil rights issues such as equal access to housing and transportation, and integrating the ranks of government employees in Washington DC. Daly won a Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Labor in 1956 for his work in eliminating discrimination in hiring practices in the region.
After serving in France, where he received the Croix de Guerre, Daly completed his degree at Cornell University, then worked under Carter G. Woodson as managing editor of the Journal of Negro History from 1922 to 1934, and for the US Department of Labor from 1934 to 1966. He also wrote short fiction that was published in The Crisis, and essays on civil rights issues such as equal access to housing and transportation, and integrating the ranks of government employees in Washington DC. Daly won a Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Labor in 1956 for his work in eliminating discrimination in hiring practices in the region.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 28, 2018
This book is composed of a novella set during the First World War ("NOT ONLY WAR"), 3 short stories, and an interview that Victor Daly had given in 1985, 1 year before his death at age 90.
The greatest value of "NOT ONLY WAR" is that it is the only published story written by an African American First World War combat veteran that dealt specifically with the service of African American soldiers in France in 1918. The main character is Montgomery Jason, an African American college graduate (a rarity for that era), who, full of patriotic fervor, joins the Army in hopes of gaining admittance to the only officers' training school at Fort Des Moines set up for African Americans and earning his commission. Sadly, Jason is left disillusioned by a number of experiences during his Army service. For instance, he is denied the opportunity to attend Fort Des Moines, and while on a short leave from frontline duty, he is sharply upbraided by a white racist officer (a Southerner) who chanced upon him with his French girlfriend in the house she shared with her grandmother. Jason, until then a sergeant, is reduced in rank and soon sent back to the Front. "NOT ONLY WAR" reads as a cautionary tale on the viciousness of Jim Crow segregation --- both in the U.S. and in wartime France --- and the brutal dehumanization African Americans had to endure from an overtly racist America 100 years ago.
As for the 3 short stories, one is set in the Civil War, and the remaining 2 during the First World War. I didn't find them to be particularly compelling works. Notwithstanding that, I was glad to read this book which serves as a reminder of the African American combat experience in the First World War, which remains largely unknown today. Therein lies the singular value of "NOT ONLY WAR".
The greatest value of "NOT ONLY WAR" is that it is the only published story written by an African American First World War combat veteran that dealt specifically with the service of African American soldiers in France in 1918. The main character is Montgomery Jason, an African American college graduate (a rarity for that era), who, full of patriotic fervor, joins the Army in hopes of gaining admittance to the only officers' training school at Fort Des Moines set up for African Americans and earning his commission. Sadly, Jason is left disillusioned by a number of experiences during his Army service. For instance, he is denied the opportunity to attend Fort Des Moines, and while on a short leave from frontline duty, he is sharply upbraided by a white racist officer (a Southerner) who chanced upon him with his French girlfriend in the house she shared with her grandmother. Jason, until then a sergeant, is reduced in rank and soon sent back to the Front. "NOT ONLY WAR" reads as a cautionary tale on the viciousness of Jim Crow segregation --- both in the U.S. and in wartime France --- and the brutal dehumanization African Americans had to endure from an overtly racist America 100 years ago.
As for the 3 short stories, one is set in the Civil War, and the remaining 2 during the First World War. I didn't find them to be particularly compelling works. Notwithstanding that, I was glad to read this book which serves as a reminder of the African American combat experience in the First World War, which remains largely unknown today. Therein lies the singular value of "NOT ONLY WAR".
September 27, 2021
i read this for school, and i have to say this is one of the best war books i've ever read. i was essentially only supposed to read a few chapters, but i gave in and read the whole thing. in this country, schools (at least in high school) don't teach us enough about the black soldiers that fought in world war I. or in any war for that matter. they chose to only give us parts of the truth or a sickly twisted version of the truth. this book was an eye opener to say the least. and i'm very glad i read the whole thing.
February 9, 2023
well... that happened i guess
December 31, 2021
not generally a big fan of war books but i read this for class and i did find it genuinely interesting. i think this book brings a unique perspective that is often overlooked.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews