The Jackie Robinson Reader: Perspectives on an American Hero

by Roger Kahn, Wendell Smith, Red Barber

Offering viewpoints on both Jackie Robinson and his role in the world of baseball in the 1940s, a collection of writings that include some letters by Robinson himself sheds light on the cultural impact of his actions and the man behind the popular hero. Reprint.

Genres: Sports, Baseball, Nonfiction, Biography

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Roger Kahn was best known for The Boys of Summer, about the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Reviews

[Stacia Ethridge Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

[Elijah Burnett]

Jackie Robinson was one of the greatest most influential baseball players during his time from the minor leagues into the Major leagues. He had broken baseballs color barrier, paved the way for African American players in all professional sports, and he had became major figure in the struggle for racial equality. The Jackie Robinson Reader tells about the writings that demonstrate the cultural impact of Jackie Robinson's actions and the life of the man himself.

What I liked about this book is how Jackie Robinson fought his way to the top. He did not give up and did not back down from anyone to get to where he got. If anyone ever treated him different especially the white people he would have to hold all his anger back and continue to play the sport he loved. This showed the Jackie Robinson had a lot of pride and courage. He went through so much just to continue to play the sport that he loved even if he had to go through the craziest obstacles or any crazy situation.

I would recommend this book to one of my friends because this book is really great. It clearly details Jackie Robinson's life and who was behind him on his road toward success. He forever changed baseball even to where it is today.