1947: When All Hell Broke Loose In Baseball

by Red Barber

When Jackie Robinson was penciled into the lineup for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, America’s national pastime and America’s future changed forever. How much is reflected in a remark Martin Luther King Jr. made to Don Newcombe: “You’ll never know what you and Jackie and Roy did to make it possible to do my job.” Red Barber was perfectly situated to observe this drama. Broadcaster for the Dodgers, friend of Branch Rickey—who confided in him before and during the year of decision—and keen student of the game and the behavior of its players, Red held the microphone as the story unfolded with a cast of characters that included baseball immortals Duke Snyder, Leo Durocher, Pee Wee Reese, Peter Reiser, Larry McPhail, and Joe DiMaggio. Towering above them all are Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey—who together made baseball and American history and whose courage and toughness Red Barber captures so beautifully in this book.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, History, Nonfiction

382 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1982

Reviews

[Micah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I’ve read this year. Flawless.

[Carrie]

This was a great baseball book, one of the best I have read. If you are not used to Barber's style, it takes you a chapter or two to get used to it. He has wonderful asides and insights into the game and the people that were involved. This isn't a book solely about Jackie Robinson, it's more about Rickey and McPhail, which is a great study in the contrast between class and pettiness.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an outstanding book about the 1947 season..

[Kareem · Rating 5 out of 5]

About all I can basically write here is that if you're any kind of baseball fan you must read this book. Fabulously written, incredible story. Dare I say this is the best baseball book I've EVER read.

[Lee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this book. I loved the reporters view, the people and he intereactions of this historic time in baseball. Great read if you are a baseball fan.

[Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting and entertaining baseball book I have ever read

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

read SOMETIME in 1998