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Miracle at St. Anna Paperback – January 7, 2003

by James McBride (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,103 ratings
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Now a Spike Lee film, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction, Deacon King Kong, Five-Carat Soul, and Kill 'Em and Leave

 James McBride’s powerful memoir, The Color of Water, was a groundbreaking literary phenomenon that transcended racial and religious boundaries, garnering unprecedented acclaim and topping bestseller lists for more than two years. Now McBride turns his extraordinary gift for storytelling to fiction—in a universal tale of courage and redemption inspired by a little-known historic event. In Miracle at St. Anna, toward the end of World War II, four Buffalo Soldiers from the Army’s Negro 92nd Division find themselves separated from their unit and behind enemy lines. Risking their lives for a country in which they are treated with less respect than the enemy they are fighting, they discover humanity in the small Tuscan village of St. Anna di Stazzema—in the peasants who shelter them, in the unspoken affection of an orphaned child, in a newfound faith in fellow man. And even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, they—and we—learn to see the small miracles of life.

This acclaimed novel is now a major motion picture directed by Spike Lee.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Riverhead Books
  4. Publication date
    January 7, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5.2 x 0.84 x 7.9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1573229717
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1573229715
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

From the Publisher

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE HEAVEN AND EARTH GROCERY STORY, James McBride...

An intricate mosaic of narratives, says The New York Times Book Review about MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA

Full of miracles, says the LOS ANGELES TIMES about MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA by James McBride

A haunting meditation on faith [and] a crack military thriller, says ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Miracle at St. Anna:

“McBride creates an intricate mosaic of narratives that ultimately becomes about betrayal and the complex moral landscape of war.” —The New York Times Book Review

"Full of miracles of friendship, of salvation and survival." —Los Angeles Times

“Searingly, soaringly beautiful…The book’s central theme, its essence, is a celebration of the human capacity for love.” —The Baltimore Sun

“A haunting meditation on faith that is also a crack military thriller.” —Entertainment Weekly

“An outstanding novel about World War II inspired by the famous Buffalo Soldiers...so descriptive that I feel as though I’m an eyewitness to everything that happens emotionally on the frontline.” —The Dallas Morning News

“A miracle in its own right…McBride’s prose is stunning. His ability to bring to life an actual historical event (the massacre at St. Anna and the famed Buffalo Soldiers of the 92nd Division) is a gift.” —Rocky Mountain News

“Sweetly compelling… McBride combines elements of history, mythology and magical realism to make this a story about the little things like life and forgiveness and shared experience.” —Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Riveting.” —Newsday

About the Author

James McBride is an accomplished musician and the author of the National Book Award–winning novel The Good Lord Bird, the bestselling American classic The Color of Water, the novels Song Yet Sung, Miracle at St. Anna, and Deacon King Kong, the story collection Five-Carat Soul, and Kill 'Em and Leave, a biography of James Brown. The recipient of a National Humanities Medal, McBride is also a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverhead Books; Reprint edition (January 7, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1573229717
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1573229715
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 0.84 x 7.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,103 ratings

About the author

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James McBride

James McBride

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James McBride is the author of the award-winning New York Times bestseller, The Color of Water. A former reporter for The Washington Post and People magazine, McBride holds a Masters degree in journalism from Columbia University and a B.A. from Oberlin College.

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,103 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fascinating tale of the Black GIs, well-written with a style that reflects the author's training. They appreciate its humor and thought-provoking nature, with one customer noting its accurate historical content. The character development receives mixed reactions, with some finding them fascinating while others consider them stereotypical.

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32 customers mention "Readability"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, with one mentioning it captivates readers from the first page, and another noting it works better as a novel than as a movie.

"...A mystical quality pervades everything and the writing is strong and evocative...." Read more

"This was a pretty good read. The author's chosen POV strategy was to switch viewpoint characters. He did this often...." Read more

"...Perhaps it is like a rich and sumptuous meal of words and concepts in an exquisite setting where you magically (and miraculously) find yourself..." Read more

"Loved my 2nd McBride book. On to my next... This should be made into a movie." Read more

26 customers mention "Story quality"24 positive2 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and well-constructed with magic realism elements, providing interesting historical perspectives.

"...unprepared, however, to find myself in the middle of a tale constructed with magic realism, introducing some very memorable characters, the..." Read more

"...I thought it read smoothly, however, with some interesting historical perspectives and a picture painted of the Italian people during WW II as well..." Read more

"...it is like a rich and sumptuous meal of words and concepts in an exquisite setting where you magically (and miraculously) find yourself immersed,..." Read more

"...Flows well, great characters and a peek at history. Thought the ending was genius!!! Didn't see that coming. Love this author!" Read more

19 customers mention "Writing style"19 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting that it reflects the author's training and is beautifully told, with one customer highlighting how well-chosen words describe the sights.

"...A mystical quality pervades everything and the writing is strong and evocative...." Read more

"...I thought it read smoothly, however, with some interesting historical perspectives and a picture painted of the Italian people during WW II as well..." Read more

"...At the same time he illuminates the setting with insights and truths that need to be, but are rarely spoken." Read more

"James McBride does an outstanding job of introducing us to the realities of serving as a Buffalo Soldier during WWII...." Read more

9 customers mention "Thought provoking"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and interesting, with one customer noting it is excellent for those interested in history and social science.

"...This author may well be THE most prolific History and Social Science teacher of all time. Get a copy and include McBrides other books...." Read more

"...Excellent for those interested in the plight of Italians in WWII, how our African American troops viewed their role & survived the institutional..." Read more

"...I was in Italy at the time, in Tuscany, and it was very relevant. A powerful and poignant story of WW II." Read more

"Book was informative but I liked the DVD better. I am a visual learner." Read more

3 customers mention "Human dignity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of human dignity, with one review noting the presence of both good and bad people on all sides.

"...Even though it's about war, there are good and bad people on all sides...." Read more

"...Such a beautiful written story of love, compassion, and tragedy. Must read." Read more

"...It is not just another war story, but a tale of race, hate, love, and humanity...." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning its sharp angles of irony.

"...is excellently detailed with turns of uplifting emotion and sharp angles of irony concerning the black soldiers that fought in Italy during the..." Read more

"...Hard to believe the same person wrote this as wrote the hilarious and insightful "Good Lord Bird." Each novel is just great in its own way..." Read more

"...Often humorous, always engaging, and leaves an indelible impression." Read more

12 customers mention "Character development"8 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some finding them fascinating while others note they are stereotypical.

"...the middle of a tale constructed with magic realism, introducing some very memorable characters, the background for the story being just that - a..." Read more

"This may be my favorite book yet from McBride. Flows well, great characters and a peek at history. Thought the ending was genius!!!..." Read more

"...There were possibly just too many viewpoint characters - each with their own perspective which possibly detracted slightly from the power of the..." Read more

"...The 4 black characters personality was excellently described and you fully believe the actions they take throught the course of the story...." Read more

Loved it
5 out of 5 stars
Loved it
James McBride did an amazing job writing this book. Such a beautiful written story of love, compassion, and tragedy. Must read.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Linda Linguvic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buffalo soldiers in wartime Italy and a magical story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2002
    Verified Purchase
    Based on a historical incident of a massacre in a small village in Tuscany during WW2, James McBride's novel deals with the role of African-American soldiers, sometimes called the Buffalo soldiers, commanded by white southern officers. I expected this story to be about this and to also learn more about the Italian campaign. I was unprepared, however, to find myself in the middle of a tale constructed with magic realism, introducing some very memorable characters, the background for the story being just that - a background.
    Because of the stupidity of their commanders, four of these soldiers find themselves far behind enemy lines. One of the men is a simple-minded giant who has rescued a small Italian boy from the rubble; one of the men is graduate of Howard University; one is a small-time preacher and outspoken hustler; and one is a Puerto Rican who can speak Italian because he has grown up in an Italian neighborhood. Eventually they find their way to a town that has known its share of sadness. Throughout the book, there are unexplained miracles, such as rabbits that mysteriously multiply under the floorboards of an elderly Italian's bedroom. And there are also some silly editorial mistakes, such as a man of 67 thinking back to his relationship with a lost love 40 years before when he was 17. It made me wonder if the author did this on purpose or whether he just couldn't do the arithmetic.
    However, the strength of the story did make up for my doubts, and I was swept along with it, especially as it neared the end. Even though it's about war, there are good and bad people on all sides. And, actually, it is a German soldier who performs a vital act of heroism and compassion. A mystical quality pervades everything and the writing is strong and evocative. It put me right there in that village of Tuscany and yet there was something about it that made me know that these people and the village could never really have existed the way they were described. This was such a contrast to the author's former best selling memoir, "The Color of Water" that I had to readjust my thinking and let myself be placed into this magical world he took such a risk to create. I applaud him for his efforts.
    41 people found this helpful
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  • Rich
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This was a pretty good read. The author's chosen POV strategy was to switch viewpoint characters. He did this often. Hence, the writing may have seemed "disjointed" when, in reality, the story moved along quite nicely with continuity. There were many tragedies but some salvation, too, in this novel that tells the story of the ferocious fighting in WW II Italy.

    I just wanted to emphasize - there was good continuity in the story and a sophisticated reader will see that (in contrast to some of the other reviews who claimed the author meandered or lost momentum). Yes, it may be different from the author's prior works and some readers may have been disappointed by that. I hadn't read those anyways. Yes, it's about more than just the "black/ white thing" (but that was explored, too).

    There were possibly just too many viewpoint characters - each with their own perspective which possibly detracted slightly from the power of the story. I thought it read smoothly, however, with some interesting historical perspectives and a picture painted of the Italian people during WW II as well as the Buffalo soldiers. 4 Stars, no problem. Maybe you'll think it's 5 stars if you give it a chance.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Helene Snowden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Miraculous book!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    McBride's writing is almost impossible to describe. Perhaps it is like a rich and sumptuous meal of words and concepts in an exquisite setting where you magically (and miraculously) find yourself immersed, with no desire for it to end, and no desire to leave. At the same time he illuminates the setting with insights and truths that need to be, but are rarely spoken.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • swalk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best yet
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This may be my favorite book yet from McBride. Flows well, great characters and a peek at history. Thought the ending was genius!!! Didn't see that coming. Love this author!
    One person found this helpful
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  • New Hampshire Robin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, thought-provoking, touching
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loved my 2nd McBride book. On to my next... This should be made into a movie.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Banquero
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good piece of historical fiction
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a work of historical fiction. I put this as my first sentence simply because if you read many reviews on Amazon you'd come away thinking that this was supposed to be a bad documentary. History is used as context and background but the characters are fictional. The massacre at Sant'Anna di Stazzema did happen, The Primavera was indeed one of 4 statues on the Ponte Santa Trinita destroyed by the Germans, the 92nd division did see combat action in Italy during WW2. The rest of the story is fictional, even the "historical" description of the sculptor of the Primavera is fiction, setup to make a good novel.

    That being said, this was a good (but not great) book. The most interesting chapters were the first and the last which take place in 1983 rather than the chapters in between which take place during WWII. That is not to say the middle chapters were bad, but rather a slow burn towards a good emotional ending. The novel centers around 4 black soldiers who are separated from their division after running across a traumatized young Italian boy. The 4 black characters personality was excellently described and you fully believe the actions they take throught the course of the story. The novel does not take the typical "and they all lived happily ever after" route. You are left wondering throughout how it is that this WWII story relates back to the "present day" post office murder.

    I don't give the book 5 stars because although I liked it, there were a few things that bothered me. The magically multiplying rabbits seemed out of place and couldve been left out. The young Italian boy was odd. I understand he was traumatized but his interactions with his imaginary friend and his overall behaviour seemed goofy, and a bit out of place when the background events were so somber. Finally I didnt think Peppi's reaction towards events at the end were realistic. For a man who had rage building inside of him he didnt seem to realistically respond to the antagonist (trying to avoid spoilers here).
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • moi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal für eine Toskana-Reise
    Reviewed in Germany on April 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Diese Buch musste geschrieben werden, eine Geschichte, die erzählt werden musste und im Gedächtnis bleibt. Wer sie in der Toskana liest, wird sie doppelt genießen. Auch die Verfilmung von Spike Lee (Buffalo Soldiers) ist sehenswert!
    Report
  • patty
    3.0 out of 5 stars CDを期待！
    Reviewed in Japan on January 22, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    探していてやっと見つけたので、満足はしていますが、
    カセットテープなので外で聴けません
    CDで会ったら良いなと思います
    Report
  • Mrs Margaret Donohue
    5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED it!
    Reviewed in Canada on May 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Fabulous, and the ending was very satisfying - a MUST read!
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  • Cindy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, though not historically acutate
    Reviewed in Italy on August 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A lovely story centered around the 92nd Division of African American WWII soldiers, and the massacre at Sant'Anna di Stazzema
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  • rosemary galli
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful engaging novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    So well written and moving, with a mixture of humour and realism. The characters are very well drawn and the story completely believable.
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