This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. In the wake of World War I, Black soldiers returned to a country unwilling to honor the freedom they had fought to defend. Instead of gratitude, they were met with racial violence, economic exclusion, and systemic terror. The year 1919—known as Red Summer—became a flashpoint as race riots erupted across the nation, from Chicago to Washington D.C. to Elaine, Arkansas.
Blood and Fire examines the turbulent forces that ignited this national crisis:
✔️ The rise of emboldened Black veterans demanding civil rights
✔️ The Great Migration and fear of Black political and economic influence
✔️ White supremacist backlash, fueled by newspapers, government surveillance, and the First Red Scare
Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, author James G. Edwards II explores the spark that lit the fire—and how Black communities stood their ground in the face of overwhelming hostility.
Perfect for readers of:
• American history and social justice
• Military history and postwar society
• Civil rights, race relations, and African American studies
More than a history book, Blood and Fire is a warning, a tribute, and a testament to those who refused to be silenced.