Infinite Hope : a Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace

New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 2019. First Edition. Hardcover. 9781534404908 . Both book and dustjacket are in pristine condition. The author was known as a celebrated artist, storyteller, writer - a legend. But there was a role Ashley had that almost no one knew: soldier. In 1943, at nineteen years old, Ashley was drafted out of art school and into World War II. During his service he was the technical sergeant with charcoal pencils and paper stuffed into his gas mask; a friend and art teacher to the children of Boston, where he was first stationed. Filled with never-before-seen artwork, handwritten letters to his dear Cooper Union classmate Eva, and sketchbook-journal entries, this heartrending, soaring memoir is both an extraordinary piece of history - and a lesson in hope. [dust jacket] "Bryan's sketches and gouaches are the mainstay of this book, ostensibly for young readers but a serious, informative plain-spoken narrative, teaching much about WWII and a soldier's life, for any age." [mike mosher] ; Oblong Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; 107 pages .