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42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story
New York Times Bestseller J ackie Robinson, Branch Rickey, and the hidden hand of God that changed history Journalist and baseball lover Ed Henry reveals for the first time the backstory of faith that guided Jackie Robinson into not only the baseball record books but the annals of civil rights advancement as well. Through recently discovered sermons, interviews with Robinson’s family and friends, and even an unpublished book by the player himself, Henry details a side of Jackie’s humanity that few have taken the time to see. Branch Rickey, the famed owner who risked it all by signing Jackie to his first contract, is also shown as a complex individual who wanted nothing more than to make his God-fearing mother proud of him. Few know the level at which Rickey struggled with his decision, only moving forward after a private meeting with a minister he’d just met. It turns out Rickey was not as certain about signing Robinson as historians have always assumed. With many baseball stories to enthrall even the most ardent enthusiast, 42 Faith also digs deep into why Jackie was the man he was and what both drove him and challenged him after his retirement. From his early years before baseball, to his time with Rickey and the Dodgers, to his failing health in his final years, we see a man of faith that few have recognized. This book will add a whole new dimension to Robinson’s already awe-inspiring legacy. Yes, Jackie and Branch are both still heroes long after their deaths. Now, we learn more fully than ever before, there was an assist from God too.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
November 11, 2022
When I was in college, I learned the principle of "Correlation does not equal Causation" like this: During the summer months, the murder rates go up, so do ice cream sales, therefore in order to curb murders, we must eliminate selling ice cream and the murder rates will go down. Anyone with more than one brain cell will understand that conclusion is ridiculous and there are many factors that contribute to both things increasing in the summer.
I use this example to highlight the main critique with this book. That it was faith, and only faith, that made Branch Rickey choose Jackie Robinson to become the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, and it was faith, and only faith, that gave Jackie the courage to stand up to the racial discrimination that he faced in the big leagues. Mr. Henry fails to consider that many Americans were deeply religious back than and it is not a stretch to say that any achievements that happened to anyone could not be contributed to faith in some way or another.
Mr. Henry, who is(was?) a reporter at Fox News was certainly playing to his base when writing this book. Not to say that he was a fire breathing partisan in the book, but the way he framed things showed what audience he was aiming towards. Not just in terms of the faith aspect, but of all of the snide comments about how today’s players are spoiled, the Norman Rockwell Americana that he portrays about the streets of Brooklyn, and the slight inconvenience that many African Americans faced in Post-WWII, Pre-Civil Rights America, tends to give this book a right-of-center lean.
There are three other issues in this book that need to be discussed.
1) None of the information in this book is new. If you have read any other book on Jackie Robinson, or saw the movie 42, then you get the gist of the book already.
2) The faith aspect, which is the central thesis of the book, is barely mentioned in it besides Robinson of Rickey saying a prayer or two, until after Robinsons playing days are over, then Mr. Henry plays up his religious roots like a revival tent preacher, leading a skeptical eye to believe that the Mr. Robinson embellished his religious roots for some extra cash/street cred.
3) Mr. Henry inserts himself into the story A LOT. In some instances, its ok to do that, but Mr. Henry acts like everything he did was the greatest thing a reporter ever did. It really takes away from the Jackie Robinson story when the 1955 World Series win was a short blurb in the book, but a drink with the son of a sports reporter to talk about the riff between Robinson and Campanella is granted a whole chapter, with half the chapter being how he set up the meeting, where it was, and how cool it was to swap reporting war stories.
Overall, I gave this book a chance hoping to find a new angle of the Jackie Robinson saga, but in reality, this is the Jackie Robinson biography that could be featured in Readers Digest.
I use this example to highlight the main critique with this book. That it was faith, and only faith, that made Branch Rickey choose Jackie Robinson to become the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, and it was faith, and only faith, that gave Jackie the courage to stand up to the racial discrimination that he faced in the big leagues. Mr. Henry fails to consider that many Americans were deeply religious back than and it is not a stretch to say that any achievements that happened to anyone could not be contributed to faith in some way or another.
Mr. Henry, who is(was?) a reporter at Fox News was certainly playing to his base when writing this book. Not to say that he was a fire breathing partisan in the book, but the way he framed things showed what audience he was aiming towards. Not just in terms of the faith aspect, but of all of the snide comments about how today’s players are spoiled, the Norman Rockwell Americana that he portrays about the streets of Brooklyn, and the slight inconvenience that many African Americans faced in Post-WWII, Pre-Civil Rights America, tends to give this book a right-of-center lean.
There are three other issues in this book that need to be discussed.
1) None of the information in this book is new. If you have read any other book on Jackie Robinson, or saw the movie 42, then you get the gist of the book already.
2) The faith aspect, which is the central thesis of the book, is barely mentioned in it besides Robinson of Rickey saying a prayer or two, until after Robinsons playing days are over, then Mr. Henry plays up his religious roots like a revival tent preacher, leading a skeptical eye to believe that the Mr. Robinson embellished his religious roots for some extra cash/street cred.
3) Mr. Henry inserts himself into the story A LOT. In some instances, its ok to do that, but Mr. Henry acts like everything he did was the greatest thing a reporter ever did. It really takes away from the Jackie Robinson story when the 1955 World Series win was a short blurb in the book, but a drink with the son of a sports reporter to talk about the riff between Robinson and Campanella is granted a whole chapter, with half the chapter being how he set up the meeting, where it was, and how cool it was to swap reporting war stories.
Overall, I gave this book a chance hoping to find a new angle of the Jackie Robinson saga, but in reality, this is the Jackie Robinson biography that could be featured in Readers Digest.
April 1, 2021
This book’s cover grabbed me at the bookstore and I found the storyline intriguing. Great history lesson of men of integrity who chose to do the right thing no matter the public perception or backlash.
August 2, 2018
A lot of behind the scened stuff to enjoy in this one. I learned that Jackie played himself in "The Jackie Robinson Story" and found that movie available online. The recent movie "42" is good and a lot of things in this book fill in the details and back story to that movie.
The racial injustices highlighted here made my heart sick. I love stories about those who have fought against such injustices. Jackie let the way in American sports and help to pave the way for the civil rights era which followed.
The author takes a unique angle and tries to show the religious motivations behind Branch Rickey's hiring of Jackie and Jackie's own life. The historical details about prayer, counseling with ministers before making decisions, Jackie teaching Sunday School and such were interesting, but I didn't feel like the author dug deep enough into the particular religious convictions of these men. Their faith was presented vague and general Christianity. I would have like to learn a little more about thier religious convictions.
Overall a good book and one worth my time.
The racial injustices highlighted here made my heart sick. I love stories about those who have fought against such injustices. Jackie let the way in American sports and help to pave the way for the civil rights era which followed.
The author takes a unique angle and tries to show the religious motivations behind Branch Rickey's hiring of Jackie and Jackie's own life. The historical details about prayer, counseling with ministers before making decisions, Jackie teaching Sunday School and such were interesting, but I didn't feel like the author dug deep enough into the particular religious convictions of these men. Their faith was presented vague and general Christianity. I would have like to learn a little more about thier religious convictions.
Overall a good book and one worth my time.
January 5, 2019
It ended up a worthy read, even for someone who’s read a number of Jackie Robinson books and watched every documentary and movie. This despite my serious misgivings over the first 50 pages.
It started out very slow with cliche-loaded forwards by Larry King and Juan Williams and I was worried that Henry was going to write 300 pages on something that could have been a 10-page article in Reader’s Digest. He takes the angle, at least at the onset, that faith was the driving force for both Branch Rickey and Robinson in “The Great Experiment” and proceeded to overdescribe it. The beginning of the book, I found, clumsy.
I was concerned he had nothing else to add, and it was clear early on that he’s an avid baseball fan but not a baseball writer or expert of any kind. As the book went on, however, I did learn angles I’d never learned before. Like the trips scout Clyde Sukeforth made to identify him and their horrible first commute to spring training. Henry also gave a lot more color to the relationship of the two men after their Dodger coexistence.
The writing got much better as Henry found his pace.
I don’t call it a definitive biography nor does it pretend to be, but it’s an informative quick read that both newbies and self-described Robinson scholars will get something out of.
It started out very slow with cliche-loaded forwards by Larry King and Juan Williams and I was worried that Henry was going to write 300 pages on something that could have been a 10-page article in Reader’s Digest. He takes the angle, at least at the onset, that faith was the driving force for both Branch Rickey and Robinson in “The Great Experiment” and proceeded to overdescribe it. The beginning of the book, I found, clumsy.
I was concerned he had nothing else to add, and it was clear early on that he’s an avid baseball fan but not a baseball writer or expert of any kind. As the book went on, however, I did learn angles I’d never learned before. Like the trips scout Clyde Sukeforth made to identify him and their horrible first commute to spring training. Henry also gave a lot more color to the relationship of the two men after their Dodger coexistence.
The writing got much better as Henry found his pace.
I don’t call it a definitive biography nor does it pretend to be, but it’s an informative quick read that both newbies and self-described Robinson scholars will get something out of.
November 5, 2021
The good and bad of this book is that it is doing several things at the same time. There does not need to be a new book on Jackie Robinson as most of the story is well documented in other books and the recent film "42." But Ed Henry thinks that part of the story has been, if to ignored, de-emphasized. His book is about the role that faith played in the lives of Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson as they worked together to end the exclusion of Black baseball players in the Major Leagues. Harris' book, then, is an inspirational tail, a sociological examination and a baseball chronicle, which means that most readers will like some parts and endure others. In my opinion the book feels most natural when it is describing the baseball action, specifically of 1947 and 1951. But there is nothing new in this section though the face to face interviews with Carl Erskin and other first person sources brings both season to life. The book feels most naive when it discusses faith, even though this is where all the new content is. Harris has examined the personal papers of both Rickey and Robinson, including letters and an unpublished memoir by Robinson much of which had not been examined in depth before. But when talking about Jackie Robinson's faith or Branch Rickie's faith he is both overly dramatic and vague. He makes much of a letter, previously unknown, that tells of Rickie going to a nearby church to pray through his decision to sign Jackie Robinson. He did not talk to the pastor, he just paced the church. He describes Jackie Robinson's mothers faith and Jackie's connections as his pastor when he was a college student at USC. These moments do not seem like shocking revelations though perhaps we should all be reminded that one of the things that kept Jackson and Ricky going was a sense that God has called them to this moment in history. But there is no discussion of theology, of Rickie's Methodist pietism or the unique place of the black church in American religious history. He discusses Ralph Branca's faithful Catholicism and Eskin's Evangelical Presbyterian faith, but there is no understanding of how any of these were different or how the religious landscape of American in the 1940-50s was different than today. Robinson and Rickey were both Christians. Rickey was bold about this and Robinson was not. Both found strength from their faith but too often Harris uses phrases like "belief in God" or "their faith." This very unspecific language would have covered a lot of ground in post WW2 America and because of the nature of the church going culture at that time does not really tell us anything about them as individuals. This is why the book is much stronger when it talks about the main characters simply as people and tells a story we all know well.
April 19, 2018
Well done, Mr. Henry 4 Stars. 70 years on from a very different world. A great baseball story and a great story about the power of faith and family. Our current world could do well with some emphasis on more faith and family. Jackie Robinson was a true hero. Think I'm gonna go watch a ball game.
December 3, 2024
I always love learning more about Jackie Robinson’s story. To me, he is one of the most impressive and inspiring figures in all of American history. This book emphasizes the role of faith in Robinson’s story. While I was deeply moved several times and I did learn a few new things about his story, I think the book tries to do too many things. The author touches on Jackie’s upbringing/personal life, his playing career, his relationship with Branch Rickey, his marriage, his work in the civil rights movement, and more. Since this is not a biography but rather a look at the role of faith, the author trying to touch on so many events and parts of Jackie’s life led to a lack of depth in any one area. It left me wanting more.
But I walked away continuing to be more impressed by the character, competitive nature, and mental fortitude of Robinson, while also thanking God for giving him the courage and conviction to do the hard work that He called him to. I think the things I loved most in the book were learning about the impact of his mother’s and his pastor’s faith on him, and about how significant his relationship with Rickey was to him.
But I walked away continuing to be more impressed by the character, competitive nature, and mental fortitude of Robinson, while also thanking God for giving him the courage and conviction to do the hard work that He called him to. I think the things I loved most in the book were learning about the impact of his mother’s and his pastor’s faith on him, and about how significant his relationship with Rickey was to him.
May 29, 2017
About Robinson's career, Henry did an excellent job taking a lot of already known or published information and making feel revelatory. However, he hit a home run with the mixture of mid-century baseball, civil rights, and the religious faith of Robinson and Rickey.
October 21, 2020
The story of Jackie Robinson's faith behind his civil rights activism & ten years in baseball. Lots of info about Branch Rickey, the GM that took the risk to recruit him. Very well researched, documented & written.
April 17, 2017
There are several books out there about Jackie Robinson and the integration of baseball, but Ed Henry's needs to be near the top of the list of good ones. Henry uses private papers from Robinson's collection and interviews with Dodgers' pitcher Carl Erskine and others to tell the story of how God played a major role in Branch Rickey's decision to sign Robinson to a professional contract.
He interjects himself into his book a lot, though, writing about eating at the IHOP in Indiana with Erskine and visiting places where Robinson trod … former Ebbets Field which now sits an apartment complex, the Chicago Hilton, etc. But, I think Henry did that more to add his awe of the history of the event and locations and, after getting used to it, I felt it added to the story by putting more of a human touch to it.
This is not strictly a baseball book. Joshua Prager's Opening Day about Robinson and that 1947 season does well with that. Henry's book is a combination of sports, politics, culture, religion, Americana, economics, race and more. It's a short book that is easily engaged. I've read a lot on Robinson and the 1940s-1950s eras of baseball, but this is one of the better books about that time. There are tidbits that baseball fans knew about, but Henry adds to that, giving the reader more context… such as the trade of Dixie Walker for Preacher Roe and Clyde Sukeworth's two games managing the Dodgers after Durocher was suspended for the 1947 season.
Henry writes toward the end of his book his difficulties in finding a publisher. Most thought there was a proliferation of books on Robinson. Harper Collins finally published it and I bet there are several publishing houses that are kicking themselves for letting this one go. A must read for any fan of history and baseball.
He interjects himself into his book a lot, though, writing about eating at the IHOP in Indiana with Erskine and visiting places where Robinson trod … former Ebbets Field which now sits an apartment complex, the Chicago Hilton, etc. But, I think Henry did that more to add his awe of the history of the event and locations and, after getting used to it, I felt it added to the story by putting more of a human touch to it.
This is not strictly a baseball book. Joshua Prager's Opening Day about Robinson and that 1947 season does well with that. Henry's book is a combination of sports, politics, culture, religion, Americana, economics, race and more. It's a short book that is easily engaged. I've read a lot on Robinson and the 1940s-1950s eras of baseball, but this is one of the better books about that time. There are tidbits that baseball fans knew about, but Henry adds to that, giving the reader more context… such as the trade of Dixie Walker for Preacher Roe and Clyde Sukeworth's two games managing the Dodgers after Durocher was suspended for the 1947 season.
Henry writes toward the end of his book his difficulties in finding a publisher. Most thought there was a proliferation of books on Robinson. Harper Collins finally published it and I bet there are several publishing houses that are kicking themselves for letting this one go. A must read for any fan of history and baseball.
April 5, 2017
Much More Then Baseball.
This story is about a civil rights leader who happened to play baseball. Before there was a Rosa Parks or a Dr. Martin Luther King there was a man named Jackie Roosevelt Robinson who became the first black to play major league baseball. He endured many hardships but prevailed in all of them. He accomplished this in a very short life as he passed away when he was only 52 years old. A very gripping story of a true legend.
This story is about a civil rights leader who happened to play baseball. Before there was a Rosa Parks or a Dr. Martin Luther King there was a man named Jackie Roosevelt Robinson who became the first black to play major league baseball. He endured many hardships but prevailed in all of them. He accomplished this in a very short life as he passed away when he was only 52 years old. A very gripping story of a true legend.
September 28, 2020
A Revealing Behind the Scenes Story
Henry utilizes volumes of Robinson's personal notes from the Library of Congress to provide an indepth look at the faith that secured him during his life.
Henry utilizes volumes of Robinson's personal notes from the Library of Congress to provide an indepth look at the faith that secured him during his life.
March 29, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: A LIFE IS NOT IMPORTANT EXCEPT IN THE IMPACT IT HAS ON OTHER LIVES
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As a Brooklyn born Grandfather… I am proud to say that my Granddaughters are now the fourth generation of our family that loves and idolizes… and emulates… on the playing field our beloved Jackie Robinson. The first Major League game I ever attended was with my Dad at good old Ebbets Field to see our beloved *Brooklyn-Bums* play. It was the last game of the 1956 season… and the Dodgers had to win… to win the National League pennant. The Dodgers not only won the game to win the pennant… but Jackie hit a home-run. What I… and the world at large had no way of knowing… was that this was the last regular season Major League game the great Jackie Robinson would ever play!
I have read just about every major book on Jackie Robinson published in the last half century… so if you ask me why?... or should I read this one??? I will tell you why I recommend it. First of all… I would say about seventy-five-per-cent of the information I already knew inside and out… but when it comes to Jackie… that’s not quite as bad as it sounds. But there are two main reasons why I strongly recommend it… even to fans that have read… and lived…. Jackie-42 as feverishly… and as dedicated… to his accomplishments on and off the field… as I have… and above all… someone who lived and died with every ounce of **HAVOC**… he created on the bases. The author’s research… which included not only interviews with people who knew… or were involved in… and may not have openly shared their intimate knowledge of Jackie’s belief and faith in G-d… but also Ed Henry’s research into Jackie’s unpublished memoir and other documents in the Library of Congress. The author invested the same dedication to digging deeper into Branch Rickey’s… true faith also.
Just as “The Great Experiment” could have never been successfully accomplished… without the teamwork… that included fighting stereotypes… prejudices… bean balls… flying-sharpened-spikes… their own doubts and beliefs….
The teamwork of Mr. Rickey and Jackie Robinson… created a feeling in Jackie… that Mr. Rickey was the Father-figure he never had. It also turns out that both of their faith in the Good Lord… bound them… as strongly as the ultimate goal in changing the world itself. That’s where the author digs deeper than any of the myriad of books I have consumed with an undeterred passion throughout my life. It is also quite interesting in Henry’s up-to-the-minute follow-up on the 1951 New York Giant signal stealing saga… which includes an in depth look at Ralph Branca… the man… as well… as the player. Not only in the classy way he handled giving up “The Shot Heard Round The World”… but his lifelong friendship with Bobby Thomson… the guy who hit it off him. Interestingly Branca a practicing Christian… found out that his “Mother, Kati, had emigrated from Hungary, when a reader contacted the author of “The Echoing Green” (the expose on the 1951 cheating Giants by Joshua Prager) wondering if Kati was Jewish. Kati was a practicing Catholic, but Prager found records showing she was actually Jewish, and that two of her siblings were killed at concentration camps during the Holocaust. By traditional Jewish law, he was Jewish too.”
“Branca had always been a practicing Catholic himself, and he smiled as he told Prager, “Maybe that’s why G-d’s mad at me—that I didn’t practice my Mother’s religion. He made me throw that home run pitch. He made me get injured the next year. Remember, Jesus was a Jew.”
Anyone that knows anything about any Jackie Robinson or Brooklyn Dodger stories… knows that any real concise… behind the scenes stories… almost assuredly include heavy doses of quotes from one of the all-time Dodger gentleman… Carl “Oisk” Erskine. And this book thankfully relies heavily on the old Brooklyn favorite. G-d bless you “Oisk”! I also would like to positively mention the author’s acknowledgement pages at the end of the book. I might have one other time… out of a thousand… said anything positive about any author’s acknowledgements… But Henry’s story about his Father… and also Red Barber… are wonderful.
In closing… what makes this book worthwhile to a guy like me… after all the years… and all the previously… read… and life experienced with Jackie and my Boys-In-Blue… is the fact that Ed Henry… handles this entire book… every page… every incident… every person… with such a delicate… dignity… and respect… a total reverence… for a great man… time… and place… that is so refreshing and appreciated!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a Brooklyn born Grandfather… I am proud to say that my Granddaughters are now the fourth generation of our family that loves and idolizes… and emulates… on the playing field our beloved Jackie Robinson. The first Major League game I ever attended was with my Dad at good old Ebbets Field to see our beloved *Brooklyn-Bums* play. It was the last game of the 1956 season… and the Dodgers had to win… to win the National League pennant. The Dodgers not only won the game to win the pennant… but Jackie hit a home-run. What I… and the world at large had no way of knowing… was that this was the last regular season Major League game the great Jackie Robinson would ever play!
I have read just about every major book on Jackie Robinson published in the last half century… so if you ask me why?... or should I read this one??? I will tell you why I recommend it. First of all… I would say about seventy-five-per-cent of the information I already knew inside and out… but when it comes to Jackie… that’s not quite as bad as it sounds. But there are two main reasons why I strongly recommend it… even to fans that have read… and lived…. Jackie-42 as feverishly… and as dedicated… to his accomplishments on and off the field… as I have… and above all… someone who lived and died with every ounce of **HAVOC**… he created on the bases. The author’s research… which included not only interviews with people who knew… or were involved in… and may not have openly shared their intimate knowledge of Jackie’s belief and faith in G-d… but also Ed Henry’s research into Jackie’s unpublished memoir and other documents in the Library of Congress. The author invested the same dedication to digging deeper into Branch Rickey’s… true faith also.
Just as “The Great Experiment” could have never been successfully accomplished… without the teamwork… that included fighting stereotypes… prejudices… bean balls… flying-sharpened-spikes… their own doubts and beliefs….
The teamwork of Mr. Rickey and Jackie Robinson… created a feeling in Jackie… that Mr. Rickey was the Father-figure he never had. It also turns out that both of their faith in the Good Lord… bound them… as strongly as the ultimate goal in changing the world itself. That’s where the author digs deeper than any of the myriad of books I have consumed with an undeterred passion throughout my life. It is also quite interesting in Henry’s up-to-the-minute follow-up on the 1951 New York Giant signal stealing saga… which includes an in depth look at Ralph Branca… the man… as well… as the player. Not only in the classy way he handled giving up “The Shot Heard Round The World”… but his lifelong friendship with Bobby Thomson… the guy who hit it off him. Interestingly Branca a practicing Christian… found out that his “Mother, Kati, had emigrated from Hungary, when a reader contacted the author of “The Echoing Green” (the expose on the 1951 cheating Giants by Joshua Prager) wondering if Kati was Jewish. Kati was a practicing Catholic, but Prager found records showing she was actually Jewish, and that two of her siblings were killed at concentration camps during the Holocaust. By traditional Jewish law, he was Jewish too.”
“Branca had always been a practicing Catholic himself, and he smiled as he told Prager, “Maybe that’s why G-d’s mad at me—that I didn’t practice my Mother’s religion. He made me throw that home run pitch. He made me get injured the next year. Remember, Jesus was a Jew.”
Anyone that knows anything about any Jackie Robinson or Brooklyn Dodger stories… knows that any real concise… behind the scenes stories… almost assuredly include heavy doses of quotes from one of the all-time Dodger gentleman… Carl “Oisk” Erskine. And this book thankfully relies heavily on the old Brooklyn favorite. G-d bless you “Oisk”! I also would like to positively mention the author’s acknowledgement pages at the end of the book. I might have one other time… out of a thousand… said anything positive about any author’s acknowledgements… But Henry’s story about his Father… and also Red Barber… are wonderful.
In closing… what makes this book worthwhile to a guy like me… after all the years… and all the previously… read… and life experienced with Jackie and my Boys-In-Blue… is the fact that Ed Henry… handles this entire book… every page… every incident… every person… with such a delicate… dignity… and respect… a total reverence… for a great man… time… and place… that is so refreshing and appreciated!
June 25, 2017
This book was released on the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first African American in Major League baseball. Many are already familiar with the key points of Robinson’s story through previous books and the 2013 film 42. What Henry’s book focuses on is the role of faith - of Robinson, his wife Rachel, Branch Rickey and Robinson’s and Rickey’s mothers) in Robinson’s story.
Henry looks at the unique relationship between Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson and how their respective Methodist faiths impacted them. The book is well-researched, as the author met with Robinson’s widow Rachel, teammate Carl Erskine, visited the site of the former Ebbets Field, pulled a lot of information from Robinson’s unpublished memoir, as well as his sermons and speeches, to show how Robinson was open about how his faith helped him to deal with all that came his way (verbal and physical abuse, death threats, etc.).
Juan Williams offers a lengthy introduction about race and faith in America. Henry includes biographical sketches of Rickey and Robinson’s lives up until they met each other on a warm August day in Rickey’s office in Brooklyn. Robinson wasn’t sure why he was there. He had been told that the Dodgers were starting a negro team, but that was just what he was told to get him to Rickey’s office.
Henry looks at the effect of Rickey’s faith (he was a Methodist, named after John Wesley) on his decision to move forward to bring Robinson to the major leagues. Henry writes that Rickey was impacted by discrimination against Charles Thomas, an African American on one of his Ohio Wesleyan teams, who was denied housing at a hotel when Ohio Wesleyan went to Indiana to play Notre Dame. That may have influenced him towards the action he took in making Robinson the first African American player in the major leagues.
Henry reveals that Rickey had doubts about his plans to bring Robinson to the Dodgers, and details Rickey’s secret visit to his pastor at Plymouth Church as he was struggling over the decision to sign Robinson. He said he had to talk to God about it.
In their initial three-hour meeting in August, 1945, Rickey asked Robinson to “turn the other cheek”. Robinson was known to have a temper. Rickey asked him if he could keep his temper in check knowing what was coming his way? Robinson’s faith helped him to do so and Robinson would keep his word to Rickey, though it was very difficult to do so. Rickey told Jackie that “God is with us”. Henry states that Robinson talked to his mother after his initial meeting with Rickey, who Jackie would come to see as a father figure.
Henry writes that Rickey and Robinson both had mothers who instilled a strong faith in them. Both also taught Sunday School in their respective churches.
Methodist pastor Karl Everitt Downs had a big impact on a young Jackie. The author states that Robinson felt a connection with the biblical character Job in the suffering he had to endure.
Jackie got four hits and a home run in his first minor league game. He was treated in a hateful and shameful manner his first year in the major leagues, including by Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman, which was depicted in the film 42. He would go on to be named 1947 Rookie of the Year, and the Dodgers would go to the World Series, where they would lose to the New York Yankees. The Dodgers would eventually win the World Series in 1955.
Rickey would leave the Dodgers for Pittsburgh in 1951, being succeeded by Walter O’Malley. Robinson would greatly miss Rickey. Rickey would die in 1965.
The Dodgers would try to trade Robinson to the New York Giants in 1956, but he chose to retire instead, accepting a position as Vice President at Chock full o'Nuts. He would be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962.
The author touches on Robinson’s political views, his work for civil rights, his relationship with teammate and fellow African American Roy Campanella, and the tragic drug addiction and unrelated death of son Jackie Jr. at age 24 in 1971. Robinson himself had diabetes and would die at the early age of 53 in 1972. Friends would say he was never the same again after the loss of his son.
I enjoyed and appreciated Henry’s unique perspective on Jackie Robinson’s story.
Henry looks at the unique relationship between Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson and how their respective Methodist faiths impacted them. The book is well-researched, as the author met with Robinson’s widow Rachel, teammate Carl Erskine, visited the site of the former Ebbets Field, pulled a lot of information from Robinson’s unpublished memoir, as well as his sermons and speeches, to show how Robinson was open about how his faith helped him to deal with all that came his way (verbal and physical abuse, death threats, etc.).
Juan Williams offers a lengthy introduction about race and faith in America. Henry includes biographical sketches of Rickey and Robinson’s lives up until they met each other on a warm August day in Rickey’s office in Brooklyn. Robinson wasn’t sure why he was there. He had been told that the Dodgers were starting a negro team, but that was just what he was told to get him to Rickey’s office.
Henry looks at the effect of Rickey’s faith (he was a Methodist, named after John Wesley) on his decision to move forward to bring Robinson to the major leagues. Henry writes that Rickey was impacted by discrimination against Charles Thomas, an African American on one of his Ohio Wesleyan teams, who was denied housing at a hotel when Ohio Wesleyan went to Indiana to play Notre Dame. That may have influenced him towards the action he took in making Robinson the first African American player in the major leagues.
Henry reveals that Rickey had doubts about his plans to bring Robinson to the Dodgers, and details Rickey’s secret visit to his pastor at Plymouth Church as he was struggling over the decision to sign Robinson. He said he had to talk to God about it.
In their initial three-hour meeting in August, 1945, Rickey asked Robinson to “turn the other cheek”. Robinson was known to have a temper. Rickey asked him if he could keep his temper in check knowing what was coming his way? Robinson’s faith helped him to do so and Robinson would keep his word to Rickey, though it was very difficult to do so. Rickey told Jackie that “God is with us”. Henry states that Robinson talked to his mother after his initial meeting with Rickey, who Jackie would come to see as a father figure.
Henry writes that Rickey and Robinson both had mothers who instilled a strong faith in them. Both also taught Sunday School in their respective churches.
Methodist pastor Karl Everitt Downs had a big impact on a young Jackie. The author states that Robinson felt a connection with the biblical character Job in the suffering he had to endure.
Jackie got four hits and a home run in his first minor league game. He was treated in a hateful and shameful manner his first year in the major leagues, including by Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman, which was depicted in the film 42. He would go on to be named 1947 Rookie of the Year, and the Dodgers would go to the World Series, where they would lose to the New York Yankees. The Dodgers would eventually win the World Series in 1955.
Rickey would leave the Dodgers for Pittsburgh in 1951, being succeeded by Walter O’Malley. Robinson would greatly miss Rickey. Rickey would die in 1965.
The Dodgers would try to trade Robinson to the New York Giants in 1956, but he chose to retire instead, accepting a position as Vice President at Chock full o'Nuts. He would be elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962.
The author touches on Robinson’s political views, his work for civil rights, his relationship with teammate and fellow African American Roy Campanella, and the tragic drug addiction and unrelated death of son Jackie Jr. at age 24 in 1971. Robinson himself had diabetes and would die at the early age of 53 in 1972. Friends would say he was never the same again after the loss of his son.
I enjoyed and appreciated Henry’s unique perspective on Jackie Robinson’s story.
September 18, 2018
Jackie Robinson. A great figure in the civil rights movement, he had such a great impact on America. This story really captivated everything about him and what he did for the black communities all around America. He broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, and inspired many others in the black community to try to do the same in other sports, it really just opened our eyes as a country to what black people were really capable of. They were nothing like many in the white community had thought, but the stereotypes are still alive, and racism hasn't changed a bit. The story really goes into the rest of Jackie's story that the movie "42" didn't cover. It discussed Jackie's hidden faith and how it got him through all of the racist comments and death threats that he faced when he played in the MLB. The book also discussed Branch Rickey's faith (the owner of the Dodgers at the time) and why Branch Rickey decided to take Jackie over anybody in the so called "Noble Experiment".
The book did a really good job of expressing every last bit of this topic. The author had many first person resources and did a good job of tracking them all.
Jackie was described in the book as a person with a "rattlesnake temper and a loudmouth". Although he was very quiet about his faith and his thoughts once he made it to the big leagues. His faith really helped him make it though.
Jackie had to play in the Negro leagues before he made it to the MLB. Branch Rickey was looking for a new player for his team that was a solid player. Branch Rickey wanted to do something that no GM for a team had ever done in the history of baseball, sign a black player. They looked through plenty of black players before they got to Jackie, all of which before him were either too soft to take all of the racist comments that were prone to be shot his way, or they weren't good enough to go to the major level. Then they saw Jackie Robinson and that is what changed his mind. Rickey knew that Jackie was going to be able to take all of the heat and everything that would come his way. Mr. Rickey also knew that Jackie had incredible skill and that he could make a name for himself in the majors.
To make sure that Jackie had what it took to tune the white people who would be chanting racist comments out, Branch Rickey took Jackie to his office and pretended to be one of the white people that would be in the stands just hoping to spread negativity for Jackie to hear. Mr. Rickey said some pretty harsh things that black people faced on a regular basis. Jackie was angry at first, but he was able to compose himself and take Mr. Rickey's comments.
Once Jackie got out on the field, the first thing that he must've heard was "nigger" and he just had to ignore it and play his game. He didn't only face those harsh words and comments from people in the stands, but his teammates and the other team. The umpires and press announcers were even against him and everything that he did within the game. They would make all of the unfair calls that they could so that it would hurt his stats. Yet Jackie's career stats had him at a .311 average. Which is .96 points above the Mendoza line. (.215 BA).
After Jackie's first season he got Rookie of the Year, 1947 was the first year that Rookie of the Year was introduced, which also just happened to be the year that he debuted in. Jackie had many achievements in his career, and the book captures that very well.
The book did a really good job of expressing every last bit of this topic. The author had many first person resources and did a good job of tracking them all.
Jackie was described in the book as a person with a "rattlesnake temper and a loudmouth". Although he was very quiet about his faith and his thoughts once he made it to the big leagues. His faith really helped him make it though.
Jackie had to play in the Negro leagues before he made it to the MLB. Branch Rickey was looking for a new player for his team that was a solid player. Branch Rickey wanted to do something that no GM for a team had ever done in the history of baseball, sign a black player. They looked through plenty of black players before they got to Jackie, all of which before him were either too soft to take all of the racist comments that were prone to be shot his way, or they weren't good enough to go to the major level. Then they saw Jackie Robinson and that is what changed his mind. Rickey knew that Jackie was going to be able to take all of the heat and everything that would come his way. Mr. Rickey also knew that Jackie had incredible skill and that he could make a name for himself in the majors.
To make sure that Jackie had what it took to tune the white people who would be chanting racist comments out, Branch Rickey took Jackie to his office and pretended to be one of the white people that would be in the stands just hoping to spread negativity for Jackie to hear. Mr. Rickey said some pretty harsh things that black people faced on a regular basis. Jackie was angry at first, but he was able to compose himself and take Mr. Rickey's comments.
Once Jackie got out on the field, the first thing that he must've heard was "nigger" and he just had to ignore it and play his game. He didn't only face those harsh words and comments from people in the stands, but his teammates and the other team. The umpires and press announcers were even against him and everything that he did within the game. They would make all of the unfair calls that they could so that it would hurt his stats. Yet Jackie's career stats had him at a .311 average. Which is .96 points above the Mendoza line. (.215 BA).
After Jackie's first season he got Rookie of the Year, 1947 was the first year that Rookie of the Year was introduced, which also just happened to be the year that he debuted in. Jackie had many achievements in his career, and the book captures that very well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2018
This book was a decent biography of Jackie Robinson, but while it claims to be about Jackie's faith, for an Orthodox Christian who understands that Jesus is the only way to heaven, this book is not really about Christianity. Throughout the book the author talks about faith in God, but as you read you realize he thinks that any kind of faith in any kind of God is okay. For example, the author never uses the name Jesus when talking about Jackie Robinson's religious beliefs. The name Jesus only appears three times in the book, and all of those are in quotes from other people. In fact, one of those quotes is one of Jackie's contemporaries basically saying he should have been a Jew instead of a Christian. When the author talks about Jackie's faith he uses the nebulous idea of faith in God and implies that it does not really matter who that God is. In fact, at one point he could have talked about Jesus's death on the cross, but instead he says "The God who might die for his followers sins." He seems almost self-consciously attempting to avoid distinguishing Christian belief in Jesus as the only Savior from all other "religious" believe in God.
So, this book is not really Christian because it represents more of a politically correct therapeutic moralistic deism, than it does true, biblical, orthodox Christianity. I do not know a whole lot about Jackie's religious beliefs, so it could be that Jackie had a similar generic religious belief. But I do know that Branch Ricky was a committed Christian and the book under plays that in order to make it seem more like Ricky just had some generic belief in God.
Overall it is still a good biography, though I do have some issues with the way it was written. The author presented content topically instead of temporally, so at some points it is a little confusing because he jumps back and forth between past and future and present in Jackie's life. But it is still a decent biography, but Christians who understand the exclusivity of Jesus's claims and of Orthodox Christian belief will be a little disappointed and how the author presents "faith."
So, this book is not really Christian because it represents more of a politically correct therapeutic moralistic deism, than it does true, biblical, orthodox Christianity. I do not know a whole lot about Jackie's religious beliefs, so it could be that Jackie had a similar generic religious belief. But I do know that Branch Ricky was a committed Christian and the book under plays that in order to make it seem more like Ricky just had some generic belief in God.
Overall it is still a good biography, though I do have some issues with the way it was written. The author presented content topically instead of temporally, so at some points it is a little confusing because he jumps back and forth between past and future and present in Jackie's life. But it is still a decent biography, but Christians who understand the exclusivity of Jesus's claims and of Orthodox Christian belief will be a little disappointed and how the author presents "faith."
June 19, 2018
42 Faith talks about the struggles Jackie Robinson went through about being the first black professional baseball player to make it to the big leagues. The story takes place through the eyes of his teammates starting with Carl Erskine, a close friend of Robinson. They became friends in the minor leagues and throughout their careers despite the difference of backgrounds and skin color. The book is then told through the eyes of fans and a few other teammates who witness history being changed. Jackie isn't known just for being the first African American player, he's also known for being one of the best players from his era. There's was no one faster in the game than him. Teammates mention how often he could steal home, beat out grounders, and turned doubles into triples with ease. Players at that time couldn't do the things he could on the base paths. I also love how he influenced one of the greatest of all times Hank Aaron as well when he was playing
There isn't too much to critique with this book in my opinion. Obviously a book narrated by Jackie Robinson himself would be the best case scenario, but he has of course died so one told by many from his time is the next best thing. The book should've also used more from Robinson's unpublished manuscript, My Greatest Day.
I think this book is a great one for all audiences with even discrimination still not going away from that time. Even if you're not a baseball fan you can connect with this man's story being told. He gave his heart and soul to the game and could be argued that he put his life on the line to take a leap to play with only white players and fans behind him.
There isn't too much to critique with this book in my opinion. Obviously a book narrated by Jackie Robinson himself would be the best case scenario, but he has of course died so one told by many from his time is the next best thing. The book should've also used more from Robinson's unpublished manuscript, My Greatest Day.
I think this book is a great one for all audiences with even discrimination still not going away from that time. Even if you're not a baseball fan you can connect with this man's story being told. He gave his heart and soul to the game and could be argued that he put his life on the line to take a leap to play with only white players and fans behind him.
March 14, 2018
Taysen Houser
42 faith is a book about jackie robinson who is the first black american to play in the MLB. In the book he starts out playing college but works his way up to a minor league team. He then signs with the Dodgers. During his time playing for them he went through struggles like being hit by the pitchers, things thrown at him from the fans.
This book is a great book for those who like baseball or even are interested in sports. It also shows some of the challenges African Americans would go through. I liked how it also showed me what is was baseball was like back then and how it has changed to what is has become now. Like how in the book and movie, their style of uniforms and their equipment. I also agree with the author and how he shows how hard one of the African Americans had to work to be able become something and make a name for themselves not only in baseball but in the world. I also know some of the struggles of baseball and how hard you have to work at it because I play and enjoy the sport.
I feel like the point or the theme of this book is to try even when the odds are against you. Like take jackie, not a lot of people make it that far in baseball or any sport. And back then, especially not an African American. And when people who throw things at him and how he would get booed.
42 faith is a book about jackie robinson who is the first black american to play in the MLB. In the book he starts out playing college but works his way up to a minor league team. He then signs with the Dodgers. During his time playing for them he went through struggles like being hit by the pitchers, things thrown at him from the fans.
This book is a great book for those who like baseball or even are interested in sports. It also shows some of the challenges African Americans would go through. I liked how it also showed me what is was baseball was like back then and how it has changed to what is has become now. Like how in the book and movie, their style of uniforms and their equipment. I also agree with the author and how he shows how hard one of the African Americans had to work to be able become something and make a name for themselves not only in baseball but in the world. I also know some of the struggles of baseball and how hard you have to work at it because I play and enjoy the sport.
I feel like the point or the theme of this book is to try even when the odds are against you. Like take jackie, not a lot of people make it that far in baseball or any sport. And back then, especially not an African American. And when people who throw things at him and how he would get booed.
May 22, 2017
I am a voracious reader of books and during a trip to Colorado this spring, I tried out an Audible membership. My pick was "42: Faith" by Ed Henry. As someone who has always deeply admired Jackie Robinson growing up, I looked forward to listening to Henry's book, which focuses on Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey and their Christian faith.
I learned more about Jackie's relationship with God and how he was raised to love and serve God and how that helped Robinson during the darkest days of him breaking the color barrier in baseball. I learned a lot about Rickey and Henry did a great job weaving in the two men's experiences and faith walks. It made me smile to learn that Branch's first name is Wesley (!) and just like his parents and my parents did, we were both named after John Wesley, who was an Anglican cleric and theologian who, with his brother Charles and fellow cleric George Whitefield, founded Methodism.
This is a great book for baseball fans, with great storytelling by Henry and also a great book for those seeking a Christian-based title about two heroes in American History! I did not know that Jackie's headstone has one of his most famous quotes: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives". Great advice indeed.
I learned more about Jackie's relationship with God and how he was raised to love and serve God and how that helped Robinson during the darkest days of him breaking the color barrier in baseball. I learned a lot about Rickey and Henry did a great job weaving in the two men's experiences and faith walks. It made me smile to learn that Branch's first name is Wesley (!) and just like his parents and my parents did, we were both named after John Wesley, who was an Anglican cleric and theologian who, with his brother Charles and fellow cleric George Whitefield, founded Methodism.
This is a great book for baseball fans, with great storytelling by Henry and also a great book for those seeking a Christian-based title about two heroes in American History! I did not know that Jackie's headstone has one of his most famous quotes: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives". Great advice indeed.
July 2, 2017
don’t promise do it now, like working at a gas station together, allowed to dream, faith in God to confront and turn the other cheek, mother Mollie and Branch Rickey practice faith every day, examples of faith omitted from movie, stole home 19 times, only freedom to be oneself, diabetes to 1972 age 58 Rachel to 95, luck is residue of design, Cairo GA to Pasadena, Mollie one of 14 children and taught father to read and refused welfare, brother Mack 2nd behind Jessie at 36 Olympics in 200m, minister don’t follow crowd/gang, Rickey no play on Sunday gaining and holding esteem of 8 women 5 daughters mothers wife Lincoln picture started FCA, trouble ahead God is with us, strong enough to not fight back, I have 2 cheeks, Americans brimming with optimism, a focus on faith yields quiet self confidence, society of conscience not consensus, terrible complacency, Jackie Jr started with marijuana, life not important except impact on others, always nightly prayers on knees.
September 9, 2020
This book and movie will always hold a special place in my heart. The historical value this book withholds relating to modern day times is a true story that gives hope to those of color. Standing up for what you believe in and standing your ground when no one else fights, Jackie Robinson kept on fighting. Inspiring movements in sports films/any type of film that is like this one (ex: "Remember The Titans" and "Unbroken") is what brings me deep sorrow to know how cruel the world is. In the end, almost always, they get justice. But most of the time, that 1% missing out of 99% is the small percentage that continues to fight. Every. Single. Day. Of. Their. Life. Still the end result, sad yet true, they fight until they end up dead. But Jackie Robinson and many other historical figures of the past, give hope. Highly suggest this book!
October 6, 2017
The novel "42 Faith" by Ed Henry in my opinion is a amazing novel. If you are interested in baseball or even in history this is a good book for you. You could just be interested into the civil rights movement this book will show you what its like from an athletic perspective and how hard it was for a African American man in that time period to play on a team of all white men. It talks about the story of Jackie Robinson (the first African American baseball player to play in the Major League) and all the problems and difficulties he went through. It also shows what it was like for his teammates and what the fans thought about them playing with Jackie. Overall the novel by Ed Henry is a fantastic choice if you are interested into this kind of topic.
April 20, 2019
This is a hard book to rate because it's so inconsistent. There are parts that are 5 stars, there are parts that are 2 or 3. The lows are the parts that are just repetitive of other Robinson bio content out there, or focus too much on Henry's reporting, name-dropping, etc. At times it leans too heavily on white people too far from Jackie to be strong sources e.g. Jerry Reinsdorf. That said, there is good reporting here, including some of Robinson's unpublished papers, and new interviews. The lens of faith, when applied, is a fresh new look at Robinson and Rickey working together to break the colour barrier.
January 8, 2018
This story dives deeper into the Jackie Robinson story we all know. The man that broke baseball's color barrier. It take a close look at Branch Rickey who was the man that made it possible. Underlying both the lives, decisions, struggles and victories of these two men was...faith. And this is the title and subject of this book. Great story and a lot of insight into the Jackie Robinson saga. If you are a baseball fan, interested in the civil rights movement, or inspired by the hand of God in people's lives you will enjoy this book.
August 11, 2018
Ed Henry's examination of the way faith bound together Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson lifts my spirit. The abuses Robinson had to face were far more flagrant and voluminous than most acts of racism in America today. Yet, he excelled with grace and great accomplishment (including an MVP and world series championship). Furthermore, many of those who derided him eventually became his friends. I wonder how different America would look if black and white people expended as much energy on friendship as they did on vocally damning the evils of racism.
April 21, 2021
I really think that this book would have benefitted from different organization or better editing, but I loved it anyway. To be fair, there are a lot of names, dates and events to relate, but sometimes the time line jumped around too much and became confusing. I really enjoyed all of the anecdotal stories and insights into everyone who supported Jackie Robinson through his career and life. I especially like that Henry highlighted Jackie Robinson's courage in becoming the first black major league baseball player and in bringing issues of civil rights to the forefront, and the role that his faith played in his motivations. I also enjoyed learning more about the role that the general institution of baseball played in shaping ideas and ideologies of the country at large through the early and mid 1900's.
December 1, 2025
A biography of the incredibly true story of the first black Major league baseball player, Jackie Robinson. This book tries to characterize Jackie’s faith, and character development as a young man to show depth to his actions.
If you love baseball, Faith and statistics, then you will like this book.
I found it interesting. But a lot of the facts, especially during his rookie year was found in the movie 42. So some of the details I had already known.
I don’t know how to say it, but it was OK.
If you love baseball, Faith and statistics, then you will like this book.
I found it interesting. But a lot of the facts, especially during his rookie year was found in the movie 42. So some of the details I had already known.
I don’t know how to say it, but it was OK.
September 5, 2019
As a baseball fan I really enjoyed this book. It highlighted over the struggles that Jackie Robinson went through before and during playing in the MLB. The reason that he was able to get through these hardships was by believes that god had a purpose for him. That was one of the main reasons why Branch Rickey chose him to play for the dodgers, he knew that Jackie was the only one that could use god to not fight back against all the hate.
January 27, 2020
I thought this book was okay. I honestly found it a little difficult to read as the story went back and forth describing Jackie's life. There were several times that it seemed slow and I had to force myself to continue to read. I also feel like the book didn't explore as much of Jackie's faith as much I expected. I'm glad that I forced myself to finish the book as I interested in the life of Jackie Robinson, but I will not read it again.
August 9, 2021
If you love baseball, appreciate sports, or want to learn more about an integral part of the civil rights movement, this book is for you! It is hard to imagine that 80+ years after the Civil War, our country was still so segregated and filled with such evil. This book was very eye opening to reality of the struggles of African Americans long after they were supposedly “free” men. Well researched and written book.
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