Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic by Reinhold Niebuhr - 1929

Chicago: Willett, Clark & Colby, 1929. Dark green cloth book with gilt lettering to front cover and darkened spine, Two gift inscriptions to the front free endpaper. The first inscription is inscribed and signed by Hayes Farish, Chaplain of the 814th Pioneer Infantry, the "Black Devils" (World War I). The 'Fighting Black Devils' were a National Guard African-American regiment that fought in World War I under the U.S. Army's 93rd Division as the 370th Infantry Regiment. Organized as an all-black division for the war, it was assigned to French divisions, as the French were requesting the immediate use of American divisions to reinforce the French army. "The regiment took part in major combat operations and received battlefield accolades for their service with the French army. Although redesignated as the 370th Infantry Regiment during World War I, the unit's history begins nearly 20 years before entry into the war. Initially organized in 1895 as the 9th Battalion Infantry, the all-black National Guard unit was redesignated as the 8th Illinois Infantry in 1898. After federal service in the Spanish-American war, the unit was called again in 1916 for service on the Mexican Border. As the 370th assigned to the 93rd Division in 1917, the regiment arrived in France in April 1918 and after being attached to a number of French divisions for training and seasoning, was assigned to the French 59th Division which took part in the Oise-Aisne offensive where the Germans abandoned their defensive lines. The 370th had the distinction of being the only Black regiment completely staffed with black officers. For its actions during the war, members received 21 Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal and 68 Croix de Guerre. After World War I, the regiment reorganized and is known today as the Illinois National Guard's 178th Infantry. The second inscription is a later gift presentation by the previous owner to an individual on his ordination. The book is tight, bright, and clean with minor bumping, rubbing, soiling - shelfwear. . Association Signature. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket.