Schiffer Publishing Unveils WITH A WEAPON AND A GRIN, Featuring African American Soldiers During WWI

 

Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., has announced the release of With A Weapon And A Grin, an in depth look into the propaganda depicting Black African soldiers during WWI.

In incorporating Black African soldiers on the European battleground in their war against the Germans in WWI, France needed to change the image of the African from that of savage to a loyal and courageous soldier, a non-threat to French citizenry. What emerged was the Grand Enfant, a child-like figure with a winning grin who nonetheless could be ruthless in pursuit of the Hun. Meanwhile, German propaganda persisted in portraying the African as a cannibal, being unjustly deployed by France against the civilized European. Postcards of the era were an important means of disseminating these images and demonstrate how the African soldier's image was manipulated to serve the changing needs of the European belligerents.

The book contains over 150 stunning images from this propaganda war and places them in historical context. It is a pioneering study in English of a long-neglected aspect of the First World War

With A Weapon And A Grin
Size: 8 1/2" x 11" | 156 color & b/w photos | 128 pp
ISBN13: 9780764352270 | Binding: hard cover | $34.99

About the Author
Stephan Likosky is a former Russian teacher and New York Public Library Prison Librarian who has collected postcards throughout his life. Many of his articles have appeared on the Metropolitan Postcard Club's website, but also in the Gay and Lesbian Review ("Gender Bending in Early Postcards,"), the San Francisco Bay Area Postcard Club's Newsletter, and in the magazine Art Bodega. Previously, he published an anthology on international gay and lesbian writing with Pantheon Publishers and a bilingual resource directory and job searching guide for ex-prisoners. He was raised in Vermont and received master's degrees from Harvard Graduate School and Simmons College. He lives in New York City

About the Publisher
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is a family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality books. Since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers' passions. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children. Visit www.schifferbooks.com to explore our backlist of 5,500+ titles.