best Negro League books?

[Blackout]

i have Only the Ball Was White and was wondering what are the best negro league books?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Maybe some of these?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_a/103-2904911-7951817?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Negro+Leagues

[wamby]

I was looking at Shades of Glory at the bookstore, and it looks pretty good. I think I will eventually pick it up.

[jalbright]

Shades of Glory has data from the Hall of Fame's study of Negro League players for the 2006 election. The data presented is only of the Negro Leagues, but is presented in complete form (though I wish they made it clear whether or not they filled in some gaps).

The Biographical Encyclopedia is meant to be read a few players at a time. It's not really a narrative, but you'll have access to information on all the significant players in blackball in the States.

The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues gives season by season data, which helps put things in context better. Again, it isn't a narrative, but it has a ton of valuable info.

Jim Albright

[Mad Guru]

The Ultimate Baseball Library which was printed in the first edition of Total Baseball includes the following books. Some are difficult to find or usually expensive but they are really good when you can. Some have been reprinted as well:

Brashler, William: Josh Gibson
Bruce, Janet: The Kansas City Monarchs
Craig, John: Chappie and Me
Heward, Bill: Some Are Called Clowns
Holway, John: Voices from the Great Negro Baseball Leagues
Holway, John: Bullet Joe and the Monarchs
Manley, Effa: Negro Baseball Before Integration
Orr, Jack: The Black Athlete
Peterson, Robert: Only the Ball Was White
Riley, James: Dandy, Day and the Devil
Rogosin, Donn: Invisible Men
Rowe, with Jackie Robinson: Wait till Next Year
Ruck, Rob: Sandlot Seasons
Rust, Art: Get That ****** off the Field
Troupe, Quincy: Twenty Years Too Soon
White, Sol: Sol White's Official Baseball Guide
Young, Andrew: Great Negro Baseball Stars

[reviewboy1]

I highly recommend 'We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball'. It is very readable, and the prints (of paintings) are awesome.

i have Only the Ball Was White and was wondering what are the best negro league books?

[metrotheme]

I was going to recommend Trouppe's book. It's one of the best first hand accounts of life in the Negro Leagues. He had an awesome career, and it's a shame he was 39 when he had his oh so brief shot in MLB.

[DaClyde]

I've read "Voices from the Great Negro Baseball Leagues" by John Holway - outstanding, just wonderful to hear the stories from the players themselves. Pity there wasn't a Ken Burns style documentary to accompany or follow it back then.

I also read Buck O'Neil's "I Was Right On Time" which was also great, if short.

[disgrig]

I've read "Voices from the Great Negro Baseball Leagues" by John Holway - outstanding, just wonderful to hear the stories from the players themselves. Pity there wasn't a Ken Burns style documentary to accompany or follow it back then.

I also read Buck O'Neil's "I Was Right On Time" which was also great, if short.

I agree with both of these, and the many others listed in previous posts, but I would add:

Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants and Stars by Bob Motley
The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James A. Riley (a good but incomplete reference book).
Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester

[bctrackboi11]

Photographic History of The Negro League by Phil Dixon... Lots of great photos you don't usually see online, and good narration...

[philliesfiend55]

Black Baseball's National showcase: The Negro Leagues' East-West All-Star Game 1933-1953 by Larry lester.

[SABRSusan]

I'm in the middle of Larry Tye's new biography of Satchel Paige. It's a well-written, well-researched, enjoyable read, and it gives a good picture of life in the Negro Leagues.

[esehombre]

In addition to the many great books posted, one of my favorites is "Blackball Stars" by Holway. He gives an opinionated and scorching indictment on the Baseball Hall of Fame which i thought was very refreshing.

[disgrig]

In addition to the many great books posted, one of my favorites is "Blackball Stars" by Holway. He gives an opinionated and scorching indictment on the Baseball Hall of Fame which i thought was very refreshing.

Yes, I like that, too. It makes you appreciate that fact that any one of the Negro Leagues' players ever got into Cooperstown with such a country club mentality guarding the hallowed halls.

[TonyK]

Black Baseball Entrepreneurs 1865-1901 by Michael Lomax is a good book to read about how black baseball evolved in the 19th Century. It is well-researched and covers social topics as well as teams like the Pythians, Cuban Giants, Gorhams, and the Chicago Unions.

[ringo-dog]

May I recommend some historical fiction in addition to straight "History" books? The three that come to mind are:


Hanging Curve by Troy Soos, about baseball and racism in St. Louis in 1922. (I'd read the whole series featuring Mickey Rawlings, this is the last book)


All the Stars Came Out That Night by Kevin King, a story about a fictional "All Star" game of white players, led by Dizzy Dean, and a squad of black players including Satch and Josh Gibson.


And finally Robert B. Parker's Double Play, about Jackie Robinson and his fictional body guard in 1947.

Maybe not exactly what you had in mind, but all are a great read!

[Brad Harris]

-- redacted --


Thank you.

[reviewboy1]

Thank you for recommending 'All The Stars Came Out That Night'.

I just finished reading it and enjoyed it very much.

May I recommend some historical fiction in addition to straight "History" books? The three that come to mind are:


Hanging Curve by Troy Soos, about baseball and racism in St. Louis in 1922. (I'd read the whole series featuring Mickey Rawlings, this is the last book)


All the Stars Came Out That Night by Kevin King, a story about a fictional "All Star" game of white players, led by Dizzy Dean, and a squad of black players including Satch and Josh Gibson.


And finally Robert B. Parker's Double Play, about Jackie Robinson and his fictional body guard in 1947.

Maybe not exactly what you had in mind, but all are a great read!

[bhss89]

I highly recommend 'We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball'. It is very readable, and the prints (of paintings) are awesome.

I agree with reviewboy, We Are The Ship is fantastic. I use it extensively in my classroom (4th grade) when teaching a range of topics. My three kids (all under 11) have read and reread it several times. Must-have book on Negro Leagues IMHO.
Also, everyone should read The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America by Joe Posnanski. Wonderful book about a wonderful man. And then . . . plan a trip to Kansas City, MO and go to the Negro League Museum, founded by Buck. Well worth it, and the BBQ in KC is mind-blowing.