u/coteachermomma

This a trilogy of historical fiction starting in the innocence of 1964 following 4 young black men who call themselves the Ambassadors embarking on life after their high school graduation not knowing what life will have in store for them as young black men because their families have sheltered them from the hard truths. One night - their lives are shattered by the awfulness of different rules of police brutality that involves underground clinics and life on the run for one of their own and holding a secret that they can never tell anyone. Gone are their Sundays of dancing to the latest Motown has to offer on the porch of their second floor flat. Where is the God of his father’s Church in the jungles of Vietnam where they not only fighting the Vietkong but the bullets of the White soldiers who don’t deem them worthy of wearing the uniform? And now that they’re back in the US, aren’t those same soldiers looking for them now? I never rested as I read every page. A history I never knew. Some of it was extra poignant having grown up in Dallas so I knew the landmarks. I read all three books in 5 days. And I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them since. I hope there is a fourth book. It ended like there might be. 🤞🏻

West Oakland Chronicles - Soul Music, 1967, Jerry Penniston

I discovered these books on Kindle Unlimited and was blown away by the story telling and imagery. This first time author has a story to tell and I was immediately on that porch in 1964 listening to the music 🎶 trying to navigate all the bodies and dancing while making my way to the delicious food waiting for me in that kitchen. Once I met the four young men that were the core of the Ambassadors- I knew that they had my heart! Little did I know the scope of the journey I would take with them that summer after they graduated as they made their way as 4 young black men in West Oakland, California on the cusp of the Vietnam War in the middle of Civil Rights Movement would forever change my heart and soul. I have not stopped thinking about them at all since I finished all three books in about 5 days.

I discovered these books on Kindle Unlimited and was blown away by the story telling and imagery. This first time author has a story to tell and I was immediately on that porch in 1964 listening to the music 🎶 trying to navigate all the bodies and dancing while making my way to the delicious food waiting for me in that kitchen. Once I met the four young men that were the core of the Ambassadors- I knew that they had my heart! Little did I know the scope of the journey I would take with them that summer after they graduated as they made their way as 4 young black men in West Oakland, California on the cusp of the Vietnam War in the middle of Civil Rights Movement would forever change my heart and soul. I have not stopped thinking about them at all since I finished all three books in about 5 days.

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