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Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace
A picture book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him.
In May of 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ashley Bryan was drafted to fight in World War II. For the next three years, he would face the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army.
He endured the terrible lies white officers told about the black soldiers to isolate them from anyone who showed kindness—including each other. He received worse treatment than even Nazi POWs. He was assigned the grimmest, most horrific tasks, like burying fallen soldiers…but was told to remove the black soldiers first because the media didn’t want them in their newsreels. And he waited and wanted so desperately to go home, watching every white soldier get safe passage back to the United States before black soldiers were even a thought.
For the next forty years, Ashley would keep his time in the war a secret. But now, he tells his story.
The story of the kind people who supported him.
The story of the bright moments that guided him through the dark.
And the story of his passion for art that would save him time and time again.
Filled with never-before-seen artwork and handwritten letters and diary entries.
In May of 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ashley Bryan was drafted to fight in World War II. For the next three years, he would face the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army.
He endured the terrible lies white officers told about the black soldiers to isolate them from anyone who showed kindness—including each other. He received worse treatment than even Nazi POWs. He was assigned the grimmest, most horrific tasks, like burying fallen soldiers…but was told to remove the black soldiers first because the media didn’t want them in their newsreels. And he waited and wanted so desperately to go home, watching every white soldier get safe passage back to the United States before black soldiers were even a thought.
For the next forty years, Ashley would keep his time in the war a secret. But now, he tells his story.
The story of the kind people who supported him.
The story of the bright moments that guided him through the dark.
And the story of his passion for art that would save him time and time again.
Filled with never-before-seen artwork and handwritten letters and diary entries.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2019
5 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Bryan
101 books59 followersAshley Bryan was an illustrator, children's author, and poet.
Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.
Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
November 24, 2019
Ashley Bryan is the most amazing man. He can light up a room, reciting Langston Hughes or Robert Burns. He creates gorgeous stained glass, collages and magical puppets. His picture books for children have won many well-deserved awards. And now this, his reminiscences of WW11. It is a stunner of a memoir, a heartbreaking testament to the pointlessness of war and racism. And it's funny - the man makes you laugh even as he makes you ponder what a dark place the world can be. We are all born in the gutter, but Ashley Bryan has got his eyes on the stars.
October 30, 2019
I've always been such an admirer of Ashley Bryan's work for young readers, so I was really interested when I heard he had written a book about his World War II experiences. Born and raised in Bronx, New York, Ashley was a 19-year-old art student at the prestigious art college Cooper Union in Manhattan when, in 1943, he received his draft notice. The United States had already been at war since December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii so he had been expecting to be drafted.
Though he had experienced prejudice growing up, the Army was the first time Ashley had ever experienced overt segregation and it began right at the start of his military career. He was quickly assigned to the 502nd Port Battalion, Company C and made up of only Black soldiers, where he became a winch operator. Stationed in Boston, his job was to load and unload supplies of all kinds on or off ships. In Boston, Ashley makes friends with some of the local kids, drawing with them and sharing cokes.
After a few months, the 502nd was sent to Glasgow, Scotland, where Ashley continued working as a stevedore loading and unloading supply ships. And the Scottish people, Ashley notes, welcomed the Black soldiers warmly and treated them like equals despite the Army's continued attempts to enforce their segregation policy by working the stevedores such long hours, making them too tired to venture out and socialize with the welcoming Scots. However, Ashley's battalion commander, Colonel James Pierce had a real appreciation for the arts, and gave Ashley permission able to attend the Glasgow School of Art. Not only that, but Colonel Pierce also created the 502nd Port Battalion band after noticing the many gifted musicians among the stevedores.
Ashley's time in Glasgow came to an end too quickly for him, and on June 2, 1944, the 502nd Port Battalion found themselves heading for the coast of Normandy and the invasion they had spent so much time preparing for.
Ashley's ship was anchored off the Normandy coast, at Omaha Beach where, beside loading and unloading ships, his battalion was to invade and clear the beach of land mines, a dangerous job give to the Black soldiers, many of whom lost their lives when mines exploded. Then they were ordered to dig foxholes where they would sleep and could take cover from enemy fire, and also to send up huge barrage balloons to make it difficult for the German Luftwaffe to attack for above.
All the while, Ashley carried paper and drawing materials with him, recording all that he witnessed. And yet, all of those drawings were carefully put away for most of Ashley's live, because, like many soldiers, he simply did not want to speak about or be reminded of his wartime experiences: "In a sense, I hid those drawings away just as I hid my experiences from those three years." (pg. 97) And it has taken for Ashley almost a lifetime to be able to finally confront his wartime experiences.
Using spare prose, and told in the first person as though he is speaking directly to you, Ashley allows his words, his illustrations and his letters to tell his story, together with photographs of the time that he's overlaid with sketches. And he manages to give readers an intimate view of what WWII was like for him and other black soldiers, to capture all the horrors of war, and the racism and injustice he and his fellow blacks soldiers were subjected to, always given the lowest, the meanest, often the most dangerous jobs to do, but also he records acts of camaraderie, kindnesses and genuine friendship.
I've gone over this book again and again, captivated by all of the boldly painted illustrations made from his sketches. It is easy to see how art helped him through those terrible years: "What gave me faith and direction was my art. In my knapsack, in my gas mask, I kept paper, pens, and pencils." (pg. 60) These sketches and illustrations are now a treasure trove of information to add to the history of African Americans in this country, and the history of WWII in general.
You can also hear Ashley Bryan speak about his WWII exhibit and his experience as a stevedore during the Battle of Normandy HERE
Pair this book with Courage Has No Color: the True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone, where you will also find some of Ashley Bryan's wartime sketches.
Infinite Hope is an autobiography not to be missed.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book was purchased for my personal library
Though he had experienced prejudice growing up, the Army was the first time Ashley had ever experienced overt segregation and it began right at the start of his military career. He was quickly assigned to the 502nd Port Battalion, Company C and made up of only Black soldiers, where he became a winch operator. Stationed in Boston, his job was to load and unload supplies of all kinds on or off ships. In Boston, Ashley makes friends with some of the local kids, drawing with them and sharing cokes.
After a few months, the 502nd was sent to Glasgow, Scotland, where Ashley continued working as a stevedore loading and unloading supply ships. And the Scottish people, Ashley notes, welcomed the Black soldiers warmly and treated them like equals despite the Army's continued attempts to enforce their segregation policy by working the stevedores such long hours, making them too tired to venture out and socialize with the welcoming Scots. However, Ashley's battalion commander, Colonel James Pierce had a real appreciation for the arts, and gave Ashley permission able to attend the Glasgow School of Art. Not only that, but Colonel Pierce also created the 502nd Port Battalion band after noticing the many gifted musicians among the stevedores.
Ashley's time in Glasgow came to an end too quickly for him, and on June 2, 1944, the 502nd Port Battalion found themselves heading for the coast of Normandy and the invasion they had spent so much time preparing for.
Ashley's ship was anchored off the Normandy coast, at Omaha Beach where, beside loading and unloading ships, his battalion was to invade and clear the beach of land mines, a dangerous job give to the Black soldiers, many of whom lost their lives when mines exploded. Then they were ordered to dig foxholes where they would sleep and could take cover from enemy fire, and also to send up huge barrage balloons to make it difficult for the German Luftwaffe to attack for above.
All the while, Ashley carried paper and drawing materials with him, recording all that he witnessed. And yet, all of those drawings were carefully put away for most of Ashley's live, because, like many soldiers, he simply did not want to speak about or be reminded of his wartime experiences: "In a sense, I hid those drawings away just as I hid my experiences from those three years." (pg. 97) And it has taken for Ashley almost a lifetime to be able to finally confront his wartime experiences.
Using spare prose, and told in the first person as though he is speaking directly to you, Ashley allows his words, his illustrations and his letters to tell his story, together with photographs of the time that he's overlaid with sketches. And he manages to give readers an intimate view of what WWII was like for him and other black soldiers, to capture all the horrors of war, and the racism and injustice he and his fellow blacks soldiers were subjected to, always given the lowest, the meanest, often the most dangerous jobs to do, but also he records acts of camaraderie, kindnesses and genuine friendship.
I've gone over this book again and again, captivated by all of the boldly painted illustrations made from his sketches. It is easy to see how art helped him through those terrible years: "What gave me faith and direction was my art. In my knapsack, in my gas mask, I kept paper, pens, and pencils." (pg. 60) These sketches and illustrations are now a treasure trove of information to add to the history of African Americans in this country, and the history of WWII in general.
You can also hear Ashley Bryan speak about his WWII exhibit and his experience as a stevedore during the Battle of Normandy HERE
Pair this book with Courage Has No Color: the True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone, where you will also find some of Ashley Bryan's wartime sketches.
Infinite Hope is an autobiography not to be missed.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book was purchased for my personal library
October 27, 2019
Is it possible to admire Ashley Bryan more? Apparently so for after reading the words and absorbing the art of this book, my admiration has grown. His story of being a black soldier in WWII combined with his sketches from the time, photos, bits of his letters home, combine to make this war and segregation, as well as hope for peace quite real. Authentic storytelling in words and visual art.
January 19, 2020
My life is so much the richer for having briefly been in Ashley Bryan's orbit. Unsurprisingly, this book shows why : the way he reaches out to others, his beautiful art, his humble nature, his subtle but powerful lessons on discrimination. Thank you for this beautiful package.
February 15, 2022
This is an autobiography by an artist I was teaching a class on at the library. He passed away last week and I'm so glad I had discovered him before his passing so I could savor his story and his art a bit while he still shared the same world as me. He is an amazing man. This autobiography is filled with his sketches from his time served during WWII along with copies of the letters sent to a friend of his from art school. This autobiography is written as a "juvenile non-fiction" but I would recommend it to any adult. It reads like a coffee table book with pages filled with art and transcribed captions of letters.
January 12, 2020
Ashley Bryan is a true gift, and we get to claim him here in Maine as he's been a resident of Little Cranberry Island for much of his life. If you've ever had the joy of meeting Ashley Bryan and listening to one of his talks (sing-alongs, chant-alongs), then you know he is one of the most gentle, creative souls you will ever meet. That's what makes INFINITE HOPE: A BLACK ARTIST'S JOURNEY FROM WORLD WAR II TO PEACE all the more remarkable. Ashley isn't the war type. Ashley didn't even share with others that he was in WWII, on Omaha Beach on D-Day, no less. After the War, he moved on with his life, moved on with his art. But the War was still inside him--especially all the awful discrimination and segregation he endured from the Army and from white soldiers. It was ugly! But Ashley endured--in part, because of his art. He wasn't the best soldier in his Black unit, but he was the most artistic, so his fellow 502nd battalion mates told him over and over: "Let us do that, Ashley, you go and draw!" And he did! In the middle of war! And a Newbery Honor medal later, plus countless Coretta Scott King awards, lifetime achievement awards, being a two-time Fulbright scholar, 45-plus children's books, and to-many-to-count other awards, Ashley Bryan created magic for all of us. And this scrapbook-style memoir let's us know how hard it was for him to persevere and how grateful we all should be to him and to his battalion mates that he did! Ashley Bryan is a true gift!
February 11, 2021
There are familiar themes here. A veteran of World War II who doesn't talk about his experiences for decades. A black man who struggles with his treatment in the military and in civilian life. An artist who can't help but create art. Any one of these ideas might, when well told, make a compelling book. When combined, along with examples works by the author, Ashley Bryan, the story becomes a remarkably accessible portrait of a gifted man who overcame much to become an accomplished artist. While this book is short (around 100 pages, some with little text), it is worth a leisurely approach to allow the reader to soak in the sketches, photos, snippets of letters home, and the narrative prose prepared for this book. Each of these four elements tells its own story within the larger flow of the book. By the end, as you see Bryan's mature paintings, you feel affection and admiration for a man who has come through the other side to make a wonderful contribution to the world.
October 18, 2021
Spencer rated it 4 stars.
February 18, 2021
Deeply moving.
October 17, 2019
This book reads like a multigenre scrapbook and invites readers familiar with Bryan's work into a story that is only now being shared with the larger reading community. Woven into the WWII narrative are sketches and paintings and postcards and letters archived from the author/illustrator's experiences as a Black soldier during WWII having been drafted out of art school.
Those unfamiliar with Bryan will find a story of the Black experience during WWII with inclusions of Bryan's experiences at Omaha as part of the D-Day operations. Along with be a sort of war journal from the soldier's perspective, INFINITE HOPE is also a testament wonder and persistence and the connective power of art to create connections making for a better world one artist and one share of art at a time.
To have this book is a true miracle of saving and salvage and this will be a book to treasure for fans of Bryan's work. It will go right next to his book on puppetry in Room 407.
Those unfamiliar with Bryan will find a story of the Black experience during WWII with inclusions of Bryan's experiences at Omaha as part of the D-Day operations. Along with be a sort of war journal from the soldier's perspective, INFINITE HOPE is also a testament wonder and persistence and the connective power of art to create connections making for a better world one artist and one share of art at a time.
To have this book is a true miracle of saving and salvage and this will be a book to treasure for fans of Bryan's work. It will go right next to his book on puppetry in Room 407.
April 14, 2020
My first digital download from the public library during the quarantine - and WOW - what a visually stunning historically moving piece by author/illustrator Ashley Bryan who was part of the WW2 Black 502nd Battalion. This historical angle had been severly overlooked or underserved in textbooks and media. I learned so much - I want kids to see this - learn this - feel his story - I want this book in our library - !
June 7, 2020
Many, many years ago a professional teller of tales said that stories choose us. At the time sitting there in that seminar, I was remembering the most recent story I read and learned to tell my students. Given my situation then, her words rang true.
Today, June 6, 2020, is the 76th anniversary of Allied troops landing on the beaches of Normandy in France. It is called D-Day. On this day, my dad was serving in the Army of the United States as a sergeant in the infantry. He was a part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign being stationed on the islands of Adak and Attu. (He was inducted on October 24, 1941 and discharged on October 16, 1945.) His stories of this time were few. All I have are his Honorable Discharge paper, dog tags, medals, patches, buttons and ribbons and an album of photographs.
For this reason, I sent out this tweet in May of 2019.
Margie Myers-Culver
@Loveofxena
I cannot wait to read this book! "For the next forty years, Ashley would keep his time in the war a secret. But now, he tells his story." Cover reveal for Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan @MrSchuReads https://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2019... …
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29
4:15 PM - May 17, 2019 · Petoskey, MI
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I knew the experiences of this beloved author and illustrator would be vastly different from the experiences of my father during their service in World War II. When the book arrived at my home shortly after its release date, it was placed in publication order on my stack. I did not read it then, but I did this Wednesday, June 3, 2020. It chose me. It said now is the time. In a single sitting, not pausing for anything but once, I read Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, October 15, 2019) written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan. My single pause was to stand up at the dining room table where I was reading this book, now on page 4, and say aloud, "I wish you were alive Dad." I know my father, a student of history, would want to talk with me about this book. I know it would open a door for discussions about World War II and his beliefs about race and racism.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Today, June 6, 2020, is the 76th anniversary of Allied troops landing on the beaches of Normandy in France. It is called D-Day. On this day, my dad was serving in the Army of the United States as a sergeant in the infantry. He was a part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign being stationed on the islands of Adak and Attu. (He was inducted on October 24, 1941 and discharged on October 16, 1945.) His stories of this time were few. All I have are his Honorable Discharge paper, dog tags, medals, patches, buttons and ribbons and an album of photographs.
For this reason, I sent out this tweet in May of 2019.
Margie Myers-Culver
@Loveofxena
I cannot wait to read this book! "For the next forty years, Ashley would keep his time in the war a secret. But now, he tells his story." Cover reveal for Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan @MrSchuReads https://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2019... …
View image on Twitter
29
4:15 PM - May 17, 2019 · Petoskey, MI
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Margie Myers-Culver's other Tweets
I knew the experiences of this beloved author and illustrator would be vastly different from the experiences of my father during their service in World War II. When the book arrived at my home shortly after its release date, it was placed in publication order on my stack. I did not read it then, but I did this Wednesday, June 3, 2020. It chose me. It said now is the time. In a single sitting, not pausing for anything but once, I read Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, October 15, 2019) written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan. My single pause was to stand up at the dining room table where I was reading this book, now on page 4, and say aloud, "I wish you were alive Dad." I know my father, a student of history, would want to talk with me about this book. I know it would open a door for discussions about World War II and his beliefs about race and racism.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
January 21, 2022
Beautiful and unflinching look at Bryan's service in the segregated army during WWII.
Shows the meanness of drafting African Americans from the North and subjecting them to the segregation of the army.
Bryan had some limited experience with racism applying to art schools that rejected him due to his race while praising his art. However, white teachers recommended one that administered their scholarships in a blind test, but that did not prepare him for the racism and segregation of the army.
The contrast of the army's demeaning treatment and children's and the people of Belgium and Scotland's friendliness. How the army restricted black soldiers when they couldn't convince the Scotts to treat them badly. Bryan's drive for his art has him going over the company officer's head to get permission to go to the Glasgow School of Art while stationed there.
How African American's were given the dangerous job of clearing the mines on the beaches during the invasion. How they were also given the job of burying the dead soldiers and told to remove the back soldiers fist because they didn't want them in the news reels.
Bryan's realization that the German POWs were given more respect than American Black Soldiers.
War ended and Black Soldiers not allowed to go home on ships that had space if there were no segregated quarters! Once home Black Soldiers did not receive the services (money for education, lower loan rates for housing) that white soldiers got.
Shows the meanness of drafting African Americans from the North and subjecting them to the segregation of the army.
Bryan had some limited experience with racism applying to art schools that rejected him due to his race while praising his art. However, white teachers recommended one that administered their scholarships in a blind test, but that did not prepare him for the racism and segregation of the army.
The contrast of the army's demeaning treatment and children's and the people of Belgium and Scotland's friendliness. How the army restricted black soldiers when they couldn't convince the Scotts to treat them badly. Bryan's drive for his art has him going over the company officer's head to get permission to go to the Glasgow School of Art while stationed there.
How African American's were given the dangerous job of clearing the mines on the beaches during the invasion. How they were also given the job of burying the dead soldiers and told to remove the back soldiers fist because they didn't want them in the news reels.
Bryan's realization that the German POWs were given more respect than American Black Soldiers.
War ended and Black Soldiers not allowed to go home on ships that had space if there were no segregated quarters! Once home Black Soldiers did not receive the services (money for education, lower loan rates for housing) that white soldiers got.
April 26, 2020
Another important, often overlooked, perspective of American men and women serving in WWII facing segregation in their military service but not in the countries where they served.
“The few black soldiers who had been promoted to lieutenants out of necessity during the war were not allowed in the officers' facilities or clubs, despite having the same responsibilities as the white officers. We Blacks had risked our lives--to stop Nazism from spreading, to stop the Nazis' hatred and agenda of eliminating those people they had segregated out, deemed as lesser, as unworthy. And yet in many respects we were being treated in the same way. Where was our freedom? Our equality?"
Ashley Bryan put away the drawings he'd made in his sketchbook (kept in his gasmask) at the of the war, along with his painful memories of Omaha beach on D-Day, the friends he'd made and lost and the devastation of Europe. Bless him for briefly mentioning that sketchpad at a children's literature seminar in the 1980s that brought those sketches to light again and transformed some of them to stunning paintings. And bless him for his service to the cause of peace and freedom despite the disturbing inequities he faced as a Black American.
“The few black soldiers who had been promoted to lieutenants out of necessity during the war were not allowed in the officers' facilities or clubs, despite having the same responsibilities as the white officers. We Blacks had risked our lives--to stop Nazism from spreading, to stop the Nazis' hatred and agenda of eliminating those people they had segregated out, deemed as lesser, as unworthy. And yet in many respects we were being treated in the same way. Where was our freedom? Our equality?"
Ashley Bryan put away the drawings he'd made in his sketchbook (kept in his gasmask) at the of the war, along with his painful memories of Omaha beach on D-Day, the friends he'd made and lost and the devastation of Europe. Bless him for briefly mentioning that sketchpad at a children's literature seminar in the 1980s that brought those sketches to light again and transformed some of them to stunning paintings. And bless him for his service to the cause of peace and freedom despite the disturbing inequities he faced as a Black American.
June 21, 2020
This one surprised me. I liked it far more than anticipated.
It's full of high resolution scans of the man's work while he served in WWII and how he used the art to keep himself focused and sane. It also contains scans of his letters.
It does all this in a manner that can be understood by kids without it being too much. It tackles difficult topics such as racism. Imagine serving your country only to be treated better when you arrive in a foreign country. Imagine being treated worse than Nazi prisoners of war by your own fellow white soldiers. This wasn't easy to read at times so I'm glad this man and other black soldiers are getting the recognition they deserve.
It's full of high resolution scans of the man's work while he served in WWII and how he used the art to keep himself focused and sane. It also contains scans of his letters.
It does all this in a manner that can be understood by kids without it being too much. It tackles difficult topics such as racism. Imagine serving your country only to be treated better when you arrive in a foreign country. Imagine being treated worse than Nazi prisoners of war by your own fellow white soldiers. This wasn't easy to read at times so I'm glad this man and other black soldiers are getting the recognition they deserve.
July 3, 2020
This was a challenging, emotional read to take in right before 4th of July. It was excellent and I’m glad I read it. Stories like these must not be left out of American history courses. God bless all the African American men and women who fought for our freedoms before they weren’t actually free themselves.
October 6, 2020
A memoir of war and art and life that will take readers on an eye-opening journey.
September 9, 2021
This is a 5+ star book! Even though I checked this out of the library, I'll be ordering my own copy today.
October 5, 2019
Wow! An autobiography! My students are going to love this story. What a great mentor text for teaching about WWII and segregation. I enjoyed the story, the history, and the beautiful artwork.
February 4, 2020
This year was either truly exceptional or Bryan did not get the recognition due to him. I can't tell yet since I just started reading the award winners. I'm curious to read the King author winners because this book is so well written! It is a good thing that Bryan made it easy for catalogers by including autobiography in the subtitle because this could have been slotted in so many places: in World War II history, African American civil rights history, how to on doing art, poetry (ok, that last was unlikely but some of the writing in this book is beautifully poetic in my ignorant opinion) With all that he could have said, focusing on the number of times (likely numerous) that he was disciplined for sketching or reading poetry when he should have been doing his job in the war (winching supplies on and off transport); the focus was on the guys in his group who told him to go ahead and sketch, they would do the work. He confessed that he was hopeless at the job of winching, and similar jobs: he simply could not get the rhythm of the movement down. His workmates apparently never criticized him since he gave them the gift of sketching them and I assume, letting them send to loved ones. He covered the trauma of the war which was likely greater for Black soldiers. When they were stationed in Glassgow, the Scots treated them like, well, people. Once the leaders of the Black groups (note I'm using the word groups because I can't remember if the specific military grouping was mentioned) realized that the Scots weren't treating the Blacks badly, they started actually spreading lies about how horrible the Blacks were....which mostly got completely ignored. I did not know the Blacks were the first off the ships to search for mines at Omaha! They often were using FORKS to search for mines! They did have some proper equipment but they often "found" the mines the final way...by explosion. An awful lot of Black soldiers were killed that way. The mind blowing realization that Nazi POWs were treated better than American Black soldiers must have been a permanent wound. Finally, just to make sure that the experience was uniform, the Black soldiers were only allowed to go home at the end of the war if there was segregated room for them on the ships! Bryan himself went home in January of 1946. He had made certain all others in his unit were sent home before he left! I also did not know that a third of Black WWII veterans ended up on the street! Homelessness is not simply a scourge of our time, particularly homelessness of vets. He admits that some decisions he made, such as pursuing a philosophy degree rather than going back to Cooper Union was a result of the war trauma. He points out that like many WWII vets, he simply didn't talk about that period of his life until just before embracing the idea of this book. Most of his emphasis was on the kindness he experienced!
He said one simple sentence that rather blew my mind: pointing out that the civil rights movement started when Black WWII vets started speaking up about the difference in treatment in Europe and America and insisting that things could and must change. Note that these are my words, not Bryan's which were much more polished. I am really shocked that this did not win the King Author award as well. This book really impressed me! Addendum: this factoid did not belong in the main part of the review but I think it is fascinating that I have never read just what a foxhole was and how they were constructed. Ref librarians may want to tuck this into their minds...
He said one simple sentence that rather blew my mind: pointing out that the civil rights movement started when Black WWII vets started speaking up about the difference in treatment in Europe and America and insisting that things could and must change. Note that these are my words, not Bryan's which were much more polished. I am really shocked that this did not win the King Author award as well. This book really impressed me! Addendum: this factoid did not belong in the main part of the review but I think it is fascinating that I have never read just what a foxhole was and how they were constructed. Ref librarians may want to tuck this into their minds...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2020
This is an amazing autobiography of the time author/illustrator Ashley Bryan spent as an enlisted man in the U.S. Army during World War II. It is both enlightening and heartbreaking.
Ashley Bryan was studying to be an artist at Cooper Union, when he was drafted during WWII. He was then thrown into a world which he was not prepared for – facing racism from white American soldiers and danger while fighting on the battlefields of Europe. Bryan noted that Europeans did not harbor the same racist feelings toward AfricanAmericans that many Americans held. To keep himself entertained and keep his mind off of the horrors of war, he drew sketches, sending them to his folks at home for safekeeping.
Illustrated with primary sources -- photos, letters, artwork he created to keep his sanity intact – that Bryan sent home. Each made me stop, look at, and think.
For history buffs and art lovers alike.
Highly recommended for grades 5-12.
Ashley Bryan was studying to be an artist at Cooper Union, when he was drafted during WWII. He was then thrown into a world which he was not prepared for – facing racism from white American soldiers and danger while fighting on the battlefields of Europe. Bryan noted that Europeans did not harbor the same racist feelings toward AfricanAmericans that many Americans held. To keep himself entertained and keep his mind off of the horrors of war, he drew sketches, sending them to his folks at home for safekeeping.
Illustrated with primary sources -- photos, letters, artwork he created to keep his sanity intact – that Bryan sent home. Each made me stop, look at, and think.
For history buffs and art lovers alike.
Highly recommended for grades 5-12.
December 3, 2021
This is a biography of Ashley Bryan’s life as a black soldier in a segregated army during WWII. He talks about how difficult it was to be in the army during that time. Also, he tells how his love and passion for art saved him repeatedly and got him through dark times.
January 15, 2020
A dynamically designed scrapbook-like memoir in which Bryan shares his experiences serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him.
January 21, 2020
Thank you, Mr. Bryan, for sharing your story.
January 21, 2020
Stunning. Heartbreaking. Triumphant. Thank you Ashley Bryan, for your service to our country and to the world of children's literature.
October 9, 2019
This is a beautifully constructed autobiography, which not only brings across the artist's life and the times periods in which he lived, but allows the reader to get lost in the pages.
While this book is sold as being for grades 5 and up, I personally find that even older audiences will find much joy in reading it. Formed like a picture book, this is not a tale for the younger audience, but rather allows older readers to get lost in the pages. The autobiography starts with a very quick flash back to the artist's, Ashley Bryan, childhood and quickly heads into his high school years, when he searched for a college, and beyond. The writing takes a simpler style, making it appropriate for ages 10 and up, but even then, some of the terms later on will need explaining as he hits the army. He presents his life in a way which is easy to read and yet, very personal and informative. The younger end of the audience might not feel drawn to this book unless directed to it by a teacher/guardian, and even then, certain ones will enjoy it more than others. Slightly older audiences, all the way to adults, will enjoy the memories quite a bit.
The artwork is a sheer joy. The author does a wonderful job at mixing his own paintings with historic photos, pencil sketches, and other media. It's one of those books to spend time with and suck the various elements in, while diving into his life and gaining a greater understanding of not only Ashley Bryan but the world at that time. Even this aspect, though, will more readily speak to slightly older audiences than younger ones. Still, kids will pick it up and glance a couple pages every now and then on their own simply because it is so lovely to flip through. It's definitely a book to get lost in and was a real treat to read.
Note: I received an ARC copy and only the first twenty-four pages. So, these above thoughts go on the assumption that the rest of the book will continue in the same manner and quality as this beginning bit.
While this book is sold as being for grades 5 and up, I personally find that even older audiences will find much joy in reading it. Formed like a picture book, this is not a tale for the younger audience, but rather allows older readers to get lost in the pages. The autobiography starts with a very quick flash back to the artist's, Ashley Bryan, childhood and quickly heads into his high school years, when he searched for a college, and beyond. The writing takes a simpler style, making it appropriate for ages 10 and up, but even then, some of the terms later on will need explaining as he hits the army. He presents his life in a way which is easy to read and yet, very personal and informative. The younger end of the audience might not feel drawn to this book unless directed to it by a teacher/guardian, and even then, certain ones will enjoy it more than others. Slightly older audiences, all the way to adults, will enjoy the memories quite a bit.
The artwork is a sheer joy. The author does a wonderful job at mixing his own paintings with historic photos, pencil sketches, and other media. It's one of those books to spend time with and suck the various elements in, while diving into his life and gaining a greater understanding of not only Ashley Bryan but the world at that time. Even this aspect, though, will more readily speak to slightly older audiences than younger ones. Still, kids will pick it up and glance a couple pages every now and then on their own simply because it is so lovely to flip through. It's definitely a book to get lost in and was a real treat to read.
Note: I received an ARC copy and only the first twenty-four pages. So, these above thoughts go on the assumption that the rest of the book will continue in the same manner and quality as this beginning bit.
February 12, 2021
I'd never heard of Ashley Bryan before I received this book during my library work and I flipped through before adding the call number label, but it's fascinating. It's his autobiography, primarily of his life during WWII when he was drafted into the segregated US Army. But he was also an artist who went to art school, and during his time in training, deployment to Scotland, and even D-Day (when he was part of the force that went to Omaha Beach) and after, he drew.
The book is full of his art, some full-color paintings, some simply-inked sketches. Self-portraits, children he met, his fellow soldiers, French buildings, all of it done during his time serving appears here and brings his account to life. Perhaps strangely, to me, it brings accounts alive in a different way than photography (of which there is also plenty to help illustrate the setting). Maybe this is because photography from 1945 is black-and-white, grainy, and visually old, while art is timeless; those sketches could've been from a friend's sketchbook today. Whatever the reason, it's fantastic.
The book is aimed at middle-schoolers, so while it doesn't get super in-depth and isn't particularly long, it's engaging and doesn't assume its audience knows nothing about WWII or segregation.
Also included are excerpts from his notes home (mostly, from what I could figure out, to his cousin in California). Helpfully, they're all joined by captions so we're not struggling to decipher his handwriting. (Which isn't bad, as far as handwriting goes, but it will always be more difficult than sans-serif print.)
The book is full of his art, some full-color paintings, some simply-inked sketches. Self-portraits, children he met, his fellow soldiers, French buildings, all of it done during his time serving appears here and brings his account to life. Perhaps strangely, to me, it brings accounts alive in a different way than photography (of which there is also plenty to help illustrate the setting). Maybe this is because photography from 1945 is black-and-white, grainy, and visually old, while art is timeless; those sketches could've been from a friend's sketchbook today. Whatever the reason, it's fantastic.
The book is aimed at middle-schoolers, so while it doesn't get super in-depth and isn't particularly long, it's engaging and doesn't assume its audience knows nothing about WWII or segregation.
Also included are excerpts from his notes home (mostly, from what I could figure out, to his cousin in California). Helpfully, they're all joined by captions so we're not struggling to decipher his handwriting. (Which isn't bad, as far as handwriting goes, but it will always be more difficult than sans-serif print.)
February 12, 2020
Contemporary kids are less and less likely to meet WWII veterans as that generation passes on, and when we do teach them about this era we don't always remember to mention the segregated army they fought in. I can remember my dad, who would always make a point of talking to and thanking every veteran he met, telling me after we met an African-American WWII veteran when I was a child that what we as a nation had done to these brave soldiers was especially egregious. Enter Ashley Bryan, who is already a national treasure for his illustrations and wonderful kids picture books, and is now sharing his World War II story and the trunkful of drawings he made from his training in Boston all the way to the beaches of Normandy and back. This book is gorgeous, informative, and very personal. It's real without being depressing, demands social justice and recognition without being preachy, and is overall gorgeous. Everyone should read this. Every 9-year-old who no longer has a living great-grandpa to tell them this story and every 40-year-old who has forgotten that many men, including Jackie Robinson and other great African-Americans like Ashley Bryan, fought in a segregated Army. I love the story we get of the kids he drew while on guard shift, I love his wonderful uplifting color drawings and the sad sketches...I don't think this book is too much for an elementary school kid and yet was perfect for me...stunning book.
February 14, 2021
This book was recommended to me by Jason Reynolds (okay it was to all of his Instagram followers, but still!).
Ashley Bryan is the oldest living Black author and illustrator. He was the first Black creator to write and illustrate books for children.
Infinite Hope is his story serving in the US Army during World War II. His story is so important; it has become a mission of mine to unlearn and relearn American History. I am embarrassed to not know so many things. Reading about how Bryan and his fellow black comrades were treated worse by the US Army than German POWs was disgusting. Our black soldiers were the first to sweep the beaches of Normandy for mines, they had to bury the bodies of black soldiers to not “dishearten” white soldiers and were the last to be sent home once the war was over, many being kicked off ships sailing back to America because there were no spots to segregate them from white soldiers.
Bryan writes about how many black soldiers had their first positive interactions with white people when they were stationed in Glasgow. The Scots welcomed them with open arms and hearts, which pissed of the US Army, who then prevented them from socializing.
Bryan is an incredible artist — his original letters to fellow art school student, Eva, are included in the book along with sketches and paintings. His message of Infinite Hope is so powerful.
To learn more about him, check out The Ashley Bryan Center. https://ashleybryancenter.org/
Ashley Bryan is the oldest living Black author and illustrator. He was the first Black creator to write and illustrate books for children.
Infinite Hope is his story serving in the US Army during World War II. His story is so important; it has become a mission of mine to unlearn and relearn American History. I am embarrassed to not know so many things. Reading about how Bryan and his fellow black comrades were treated worse by the US Army than German POWs was disgusting. Our black soldiers were the first to sweep the beaches of Normandy for mines, they had to bury the bodies of black soldiers to not “dishearten” white soldiers and were the last to be sent home once the war was over, many being kicked off ships sailing back to America because there were no spots to segregate them from white soldiers.
Bryan writes about how many black soldiers had their first positive interactions with white people when they were stationed in Glasgow. The Scots welcomed them with open arms and hearts, which pissed of the US Army, who then prevented them from socializing.
Bryan is an incredible artist — his original letters to fellow art school student, Eva, are included in the book along with sketches and paintings. His message of Infinite Hope is so powerful.
To learn more about him, check out The Ashley Bryan Center. https://ashleybryancenter.org/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2020
Infinite Hope: A Black Artists Journey from World War II to Peace written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan In his autobiography Bryan discusses growing up in the Bronx being so into his art he was oblivious to the racism people of color encountered. His first real experience with it occurred trying to get into art school after graduation. Lucky for him his teachers knew that Cooper Union admitted students solely on their talent, without seeing the applicant. When he was drafted, that all changed and the racism he encountered increased exponentially. Bryan discusses learning to be a soldier and surviving his deployment through the lens of a black man: how black men were treated, how they died and how Europeans didn’t see the color of a person’s skin, but American’s did. Bryan wraps the book up with how his art is his therapy with his service art needing to stay locked away until he was ready to deal with his PTSD. Beautifully crafted this sketchbook style book includes full and single color art from the author, black and white photos, sketches, official documents and many letters he wrote during his deployment which are typed out for easy reading. An excellent addition to middle and high school libraries for American history, art, World War II, or Black History curriculum.
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