Eugene Bullard, Black Expatriate in Jazz-Age Paris

As a recently retired teacher of French and history in a school for high-achieving kids, I have long been aware of the role African-American soldiers played during World War I. At a time when these men were given "grunt" work (unloading ships, digging latrines, etc.) by the U.S. Army in France, the French were welcoming them with open arms. New York's 369th Regiment were given over to French command and fought valiantly, becoming the most decorated Allied outfit of WW I - decorated, that is, by the French, who so appreciated their efforts that they (French) burned in public a directive signed by General Pershing recommending that the French soldiers not fraternize with the "Negroes," and especially not allow them to date white Frenchwomen! Eugene Bullard (born 1895)had been told by his father in racist South Carolina that there existed a country where the black man knew a freedom and a dignity that he did not know in his native land. As a young boy, Eugene made his way to Scotland, England and then France. He earned a living by boxing and when the war broke out he joined the French army. He was wounded at the front and eventually, after the war, opened up a jazz bar and restaurant in Paris. He was joined by members of the 369th, known by then as the 'Harlem Hellfighters,' many of whom had been musicians in New York before they were drafted. Although jazz had been considered 'jungle music' back home, after the war, well-heeled American tourists rediscovered it in Paris and brought jazz back to the States where it became all the rage. When WW II broke out, Bullard, now in his mid-40s, once again joined the French army.Learning that the Nazis had a price on his head, he fled to Lisbon and then sailed home. He actually became an elevator operator in the NBC building in New York and remained obscure until President Charles de Gaulle learned, during a good-will trip to the U.S., of Bullard's existence and invited him to a gala festival at the French Consulate. This led to an appearance by Bullard on the Today Show, then hosted by Dave Garroway, who was stunned to learn that the man who greeted the NBC staff every morning in his elevator had such a heroic history. This well-written book takes the reader back through the first half of the 20th Century with a terrific insight into the First World War, the relentless, mindless racism that raged during that era, Paris in the '20s (many American ex-pats are mentioned in the text) and the difference between the French and American cultures of those times. I recommend this highly!

This is an important story that needs to be more widely told. The writing style is thick and seems more carefully academic than it needs to be. It might be a better fictional novel in order to get the important points across with regard to the continuing racism of the US and how it even pervaded France from US tourists through the racism encountered when he returned to the US. Regardless, it is an incredible story worth reading and I highly recommend it. I also recommend reading Queen Bess about the first black female pilot, Bessie Coleman.

Craig Lloyd's work is the most comprehensive I've seen on Eugene Bullard and incorporates Jamie Cockfield's research as well. This is my go-to book for Bullard who was the first African American fighter pilot (WWI), flying for France. Lloyd takes you from Columbus, GA, through parts of the southeast, and to Europe and back as the reader journeys through Bullard's action-packed life. An important historical work, especially for those studying WWI aviation, African Americans serving in foreign military units, or African American history.

This book gives you the opportunity to get a feeling of what your life may have been like living in the Jim Crow era of Georgia. My name is Bullard and I am a white genealogist. Eugene Bullard was the son of ex-slaves that were owned by a family named Bullard.It is fabulous to see a black person rise out of impossible circumstances to become an expatriate combat pilot in the French Air Force during World War I. Jazz and Blues is what I listen to every day and the Jazz story in this book is very interesting to me.

An American hero you won't learn about in history books. Make America Great by learning the truth about its history.

It's always interesting the struggles Black people go through to achieve their goals. This is another story of the ups and downs even with great talent.

A story of courage and adventure.

This book should be read by all.

Pay your taxes Amazon - An interesting story but I am giving it one star to highlight the fact that it would be improved if I thought Amazon was paying it's fair share of tax in the uk and treating it's workforce fairly.