The Negro Leagues (Spectacular Sports)

Gr 4-7--Doeden ties the story of the Negro Leagues to that of race in the South, noting that there were integrated teams in the years immediately after the Civil War but that segregation followed the enactment of Jim Crow laws in the late 19th century. Doeden then traces the rise of "barnstorming" teams--not tied to any city--and the entertainment spectacle that accompanied it, before outlining the professional growth of the leagues under leaders such as Chicago American Giants manager and owner Rube Foster. The narrative swells to take in the legendary rivalry between the Kansas City Monarchs and the Homestead Grays in a string of gripping World Series matchups in the early 1940s. The book is amply illustrated with period photos, most of them posed but with some action shots included. A later chapter details legendary players of the Negro Leagues, such as Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige; slugger Josh Gibson, who reportedly drove a fair ball over the third deck and out of Yankee Stadium; and Toni Stone, one of few women to have played in the Negro Leagues. Another chapter takes up Jackie Robinson's breaking of the color barrier in signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, despite often virulent racist resistance, and the eventual decline of the leagues by 1960. VERDICT A concise, highly readable, and thoughtful introduction to an oftentimes overlooked segment of sports history.--Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA

After WWI, the competitive Negro leagues emerged, along with some of the greatest and most entertaining players in baseball history. This informative volume offers a thoughtful introduction to the players, teams, and leagues, which were formed in response to the segregation of professional baseball in the U.S. during the late 1800s. From the Spectacular Sports series, which includes Doeden's The World Series (2014) and The College Football Championship (2015), the book has a large, square format that offers ample space for text and sidebars as well as archival photos of teams, players, and managers. Presenting a concise and very readable history of the Negro leagues, Doeden's account is particularly strong in placing events within the broader social context of racial intolerance, segregation, and gradual integration, and his chapter on legendary players is not to be missed. The many well-chosen quotes are sourced in the back matter, which also includes a short list of books for further reading. This well-researched book will be a worthwhile addition to any baseball collection.—Booklist