MIRACLE at Sant' Anna was inspired by the author's family when he belatedly discovered that his mother was a Polish immigrant and daughter of a rabbi, whose cousins were killed by the Nazis.
He remembered his late uncle, Henry Jordan, a Buffalo Soldier, filled up on "joy juice" on Saturday nights, telling war stories. His uncle was incredibly proud of what he'd done, but when James McBride went to find out more he realised that the heroics of the 92nd all-black (except for its white commanders), Buffalo Division were ignored in most history books and films. His other inspiration was the historical incident of an unspeakable massacre in a small village in Tuscany, St Anna Di Stazzema.
Layered with plot twists, storytelling and elements of magical realism, Miracle, at Sant' Anna is an absorbing, singular evocation of war, cruelty, passion and heroism.
Miracle at Sant' Anna follows the lives and fortunes of four black soldiers.(Sceptre £14.99).
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