With these words; President Clinton contributed to Long Island University's three-day celebration of that momentous event in American history when Robinson became the first African American to play major league baseball. This new book includes presentations from that celebration; especially chosen for their fresh perspectives and illuminating insights.A heady mix of journalism; scholarship; and memory offers a presentation that far transcends the retelling of just another sports story. Readers get a true sense of the social conditions prior to Robinson's arrival in the major leagues and the ripple effect his breakthrough had on the nation. Anecdotes enliven the story and offer more than the usual "larger than life" portrait of Robinson.A melange of contributors from the sports world; academia; and journalism; some of Robinson's contemporaries; Dodger fans; and historians of the era; all sharing a passion for baseball; reflect on issues of sports; race; and the dramatic transformation of the American social and political scene in the last fifty years. In addition to the editors; the list of authors includes Peter Golenbock; one of America's preeminent sports biographers and author of Bums: The Brooklyn Dodgers; 1947-1957; Tom Hawkins; the first African-American to star in basketball at Notre Dame and currently Vice-President for Communications of the Los Angeles Dodgers; Bill Mardo a former writer for the New York Daily Worker; Roger Rosenblatt; teacher at the Southampton Campus of Long Island University; and author of numerous articles; plays; and books; Peter Williams; author of a study of sports myth; The Sports Immortals; and Samuel Regalado; author of Viva Baseball!: LatinMajor Leaguers and Their Special Hunger.
#1609023 in Books 2016-09-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.20 x 1.30 x 7.30l; .0 #File Name: 0764351516384 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A little-known tale of Montana history comes to life!By SFlormanA well-researched and accessibly-written history of an undeservedly obscure bunch of adventurers. (Full disclosure - my g'g'grandfather was a member of the expedition; and I contributed photos and primary source material to the author.) Col. MacLean's military background shows in his writing; most clearly in the way in which he describes the expedition's defensive arrangements and order of battle when attacked by Lakota; but nonetheless; this is a very good read even for the civilian history reader. Especially interesting are MacLean's extensive efforts to document the origins and later lives of each of the known members of the expedition.MacLean hypothesizes that the expedition; given the amount of attention they got and the sizable attacks they drew from the Lakota and Cheyenne; may well have drawn a large number of warriors into central Montana early in 1874; essentially putting the prime of Indian fighting power out of position to deal with Custer's Black Hills expedition later that summer. At this distance in time it may not be possible to be certain; but it's very plausible that this expedition distracted the Lakota enough to prevent Custer's fatal debacle from happening two years early; in the Black Hills in '74 instead of on the Little Bighorn in '76.Personally; Col. MacLean took some of my family's oral history and placed it into completely plausible context in the expedition's history; giving new life and color to my ancestor's stories. He was a pleasure to work with; I only wish I had been able to be present for the long-range rifle tests he describes in the appendix!I highly recommend this book for any serious student of Montana; Western; and Indian Wars history. It is a great addition not only to my family story; but to my shelves of American history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great story. Can give you a strong understanding of ...By Tom TubmanGreat story. Can give you a strong understanding of how our Native Americans felt about warfare. One of the first steps to the outright theft of the lands that had been given them through treaty. A stepping stone to the Centennial Campaign and Custer's Last Stand.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Little Known Western Expedition and American Indian BattlesBy bookwomen37This is a very well researched book on a little known expedition/battle in the West. The author introduces you to all the participants and takes through the expedition day by day. When the expedition returns he also follows up with participants and the after effects; esp at Little Big Horn. The text also includes lots of historical photographs. Anyone with an interest in Western American History and Military history will enjoy this book.
