Jackie
Robinson : A Biography by Arnold Rampersad
In baseball and beyond, 1997 has been the year of Jackie Robinson,
the 50th anniversary of his obliteration of the game's color line, and
a time to reflect on a marvelous man whose heroism and decency cut far
beyond the foul lines. Arnold Rampersad, a Princeton professor who's edited
the poetry of Langston Hughes and the essays of Richard Wright, and collaborated
with tennis great Arthur Ashe on his powerful memoir Days of Grace, steps
up to the plate here with the first truly comprehensive Robinson biography.
It's an important accomplishment, ripe with historical and social insight
without losing sight of the human being at its core. Thoroughly researched--Rachel
Robinson gave the author access to her husband's personal papers--and filled
with fascinating new detail, the book, like its subject, consistently takes
the extra base, thrilling with its overall skill, depth, and perspective.
Amazon.com (Paperback - September 1998)
I
Never Had It Made : An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson by Jackie
Robinson, Alfred
Duckett Book Description: Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before
Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were
all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, striking a crucial
blow for racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never
Had It Made is Robinson's own candid, hard-hitting account of what it took
to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues.
I Never Had It Made recalls Robinson's early years and influences: his
time at UCLA, where he became the school's first four-letter athlete; his
army stint during World War II, when he challenged Jim Crow laws and narrowly
escaped court martial; his years of frustration, on and off the field,
with the Negro Leagues; and finally that fateful day when Branch Rickey
of the Brooklyn Dodgers proposed what became known as the "Noble Experiment"
-- Robinson would step up to bat to integrate and revolutionize baseball.
More than a baseball story, I Never Had It Made also reveals
the highs and lows of Robinson's life after baseball. He recounts his political
aspirations and civil rights activism; his friendships with Martin Luther
King, Jr., Malcolm X, William Buckley, Jr., and Nelson Rockefeller; and
his troubled relationship with his son, Jackie, Jr.
Originally published the year Robinson died, I Never Had It Made
endures as an inspiring story of a man whose heroism extended well beyond
the playing field.
Paperback from Ecco
Book Published: 06 May, 2003
In
the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Marc Simont (Illustrator), Bette Bao Lord
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback - 169 pages (September 1986)
HarperTrophy; ISBN: 0064401758
