Jackie Robinson biographer Jules Tygiel has compiled a powerful batting order of prominent writers and those who knew Robinson first-hand--including Roger Kahn, Red Barber, black sportswriter Wendell Smith, Robinson's Olympic-medalist brother Mack, even Malcolm X and Jackie Robinson himself. Their perspectives help pierce the shadow cast by the legend and shed real light on the man. Barber's poignant recollection of his personal battle with racism still rings loudly a half century later, and Harold Parrott's "The Betrayal of Robinson" is an unforgettably harrowing account of the animosity directed toward Robinson that first season. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
This anthology must be made available as a valuable documenatry source in any library that collects in the areas of sports history or race relations. Selections include editor Tygiel's own piece on the court-martial of Robinson for refusing to move to the back of an officially desegregated bus. There are several accounts of the historic decision by Branch Rickey to bring Robinson into major league baseball, including one by Red Barber, a Southerner who had never questioned segregation before Rickey told him what was going to happen and who had to question his upbringing and his religion to determine the right thing to do. The document by the Major League Steering Committee attempting to justify the exclusion of "Negro" players from the league as being, somehow, not the result of discrimination is an amazing piece of obfuscation and deception. Of particular political interest are the accounts of Robinson's testimony against Paul Robeson before the House Un-American Activities Committee and the exchange of letters between Robinson and Malcolm X. Highly recommended.?Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Iowa
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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