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7.5" x 5.5"; 102 pages. ... Read more

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Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, striking a crucial blow for racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never Had It Made is Robinson's own candid, hard-hitting account of what it took to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues.

I Never Had It Made recalls Robinson's early years and influences: his time at UCLA, where he became the school's first four-letter athlete; his army stint during World War II, when he challenged Jim Crow laws and narrowly escaped court martial; his years of frustration, on and off the field, with the Negro Leagues; and finally that fateful day when Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers proposed what became known as the "Noble Experiment" -- Robinson would step up to bat to integrate and revolutionize baseball.

More than a baseball story, I Never Had It Made also reveals the highs and lows of Robinson's life after baseball. He recounts his political aspirations and civil rights activism; his friendships with Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, William Buckley, Jr., and Nelson Rockefeller; and his troubled relationship with his son, Jackie, Jr.

Customer Reviews (20)

Great story about a great man
No one can deny the greatness that is Jackie Robinson. He was given one of the biggest challenges a black man could face in the mid-1940's, and he didn't just survived, he thrived.

I think we are all blessed to have the words of Jackie Robinson written down before his untimely death.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I am a true blue Dodger fan and I always love reading about the great Jackie Robinson. I think like every baseball fan, I would have loved to hear more about his baseball career, but his life after baseball was so incredible that Mr. Robinson spends a major portion of his autobiography discussing he post-Dodger days.

A great story that can inspire anyone.

Fantastic!
A great story of the country growing through and learning from it's mistakes and fullfilling it's purpose.The positives lift us up and leap us over anything the negatives would try to define instead of forgive.

Achievement and Bitterness of a Champion
I enjoyed "I Never Had It Made," and I can recommend it as a pretty complete picture of Dodger great Jackie Robinson's life, in that he died shortly after its publication in 1972.It is possible Jackie expanded more on various topics in other publications, but I emphasize his heavy discussion here of events from the 1960s to the early 1970s.

Any man who broke baseball's color line would have been an historical figure and would have had to show a lot of toughness.However, he would not necessarily have had Jackie's leadership qualities and penchant for remaining in the limelight due to involvement in political and social causes.Jackie Robinson had that extra dimension, and that is why I was interested in what he had to say, on baseball and everything else.

Jackie had many triumphs.He was a star athlete at UCLA and resisted segregation in the military. He broke baseball's color line, overcoming merciless verbal abuse, threatened strikes, hate mail, and teammates who did not support him at first.In connection with baseball he would react to things, speak up, and then sometimes be singled out for controversy beyond what he wanted.This happened, for example, when Jackie stated that in his view the New York Yankee players were not bigoted, but that the Yankee front office discriminated against blacks.Jackie was attacked in various circles but graciously acknowledges here the support of Commissioner Ford Frick.

Outside of baseball, Jackie spoke up too.A good quality he had was not only to make his own views clear, but to stick up for someone he thought was being treated unfairly.This can be seen in Jackie's desire, speaking before the House Un-American Activities Committee, to strike a proper balance on black singer and activist Paul Robeson: He had the right to have communist sympathies but not the right to declare himself a spokesman for all negroes.Jackie also attacked Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell for unfairly criticizing UN Undersecretary Dr. Ralph Bunche as an "Uncle Tom."

Eventually, Jackie was caught up in the fading of idealism that developed as blacks and whites clashed following the passage of the main Civil Rights laws.Jackie tells how he worked in support of Nelson Rockefeller for President in 1964, but then went over to Lyndon Johnson when Barry Goldwater got the Republican nomination. Corresponding to this, Jackie's discusses his political evolution in supporting Richard Nixon before the mid-1960s but then seeing the light later.This is one of the most interesting aspects of the book.As for the business world, Jackie goes into his time as head of personnel for Chock full o' Nuts and his involvement with the African-American owned Freedom Bank.Unfortunately, controversies existed, and he faced many tense moments.

Jackie became embittered with events.On top of this was the personal tragedy of his son Jackie Jr., who became addicted to drugs in Vietnam and later died in an auto accident.Jackie continued to speak out about failure to hire blacks in managerial and front office positions in baseball as well as general discrimination against blacks in employment.He grew to mistrust the white establishment more.

Jackie Robinson was a commanding presence who always stood up for what he believed.The reader of "I Never Had It Made" will feel his sadness and bitterness.As someone who gave so much of himself, Jackie should have received more in return, and what he wanted he did not want for himself.

Great book for black history month
A very positive role model for our youth (and adults!)Jackie Robinson was courageous man.I learned about the barriers and obstacles he faced as well as all African-Americans faced during this era.And still face today.

A moving story of one of the great athletes and men of the century.
I read this book when I did a research paper on Jackie Robinson in 11th grade English class back in 2003. It was a great autobiography and I couldn't put the book down. Not only tells the story of the man as a baseball player, but it tells how he struggled being a "black man in a white world." If you are interested in baseball, civil rights, or even just want to read a good book and learn more about the time, I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

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Sharon Robinson shares memories of her famous father in this warm loving biography of the man who broke the color barrier in baseball. Jackie Robinson was an outstanding athlete, a devoted family man and a dedicated civil rights activist. The author explores the fascinating circumstances surrounding Jackie Robinson's breakthrough. She also tells the off-the-field story of Robinson's hard-won victories and the inspiring effect he had on his family, his community. . . his country! Includes never-before-published letters by Jackie Robinson, as well as photos from the Robinson family archives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Missing Book
I don't feel that I can leave a responce because the book never came. I waited for the book for three weeks before I got an email. I was hoping to use the book for a thesis I was writing on Jackie Robinson.

A Daughter Remembers Her Father
This is a wonderful book written by a daughter about her father.The father happens to be Jackie Robinson, an important man in baseball and in African-American history.She remains down to Earth and describes the life the family led and how her father affected the family and history.Jackie Robinson was a giant among men and knew what he was doing.It is a credit to Robinson that he was able to make himself above reproach and acceptable to the white public.It had to be very stressful to him and his family to try to be perfect but somehow he was able to make it.A very moving story, simply told by a loving daughter.

Great story about a great man!
I can't say enough good things about this book.I have the soft-cover edition, over-sized - abt 9" x 10", double-spaced, with scads of pictures.Sharon did a wonderful job of writing and selecting the pictures to include.I learned things about her dad that I hadn't known before, and found my love and respect for him as an outstanding ball player and dignified man, a true gentleman, greatly increased.I stand in awe of him.What an example he has set for human beings of any and all races & colors!If I had sons, I'd want them to use Jackie Robinson as their model to follow in this life.His daughter Sharon deserves much credit for writing about his life, his sorrows, trials, & accomplishments in the face of ridicule and worse from ignorant people, for sharing all this with his now-adoring public.He proved that if you do what is right in spite of great opposition and threats, you'll come out ok in the end.I'm sure that his faith had a lot to do with his demeanor and positive attitude towards his trials.

I strongly recommend this book to all who enjoy reading true stories about those who have successfully overcome almost unsurmountable obstacles.Thrilling!

from Susan, an 87-year-old white life-long baseball "nut".

Kept Promises and Social Change
Promises to Keep:How Jackie Robinson Changed America

In this wonderful biography,Sharon Robinson shares her father with us as a daughter who held her father in high regard not only for his achievements in breaking the color barrier in baseball, but also for his hard won victories in politics, busines, civil rights and as a family man.Through love letters to his wife Rachel, photos from the family's archive and Sharon's deft writing hand, readers get to spend time with Jackie Robinson and come to understand how he navigated his way through the treachery of racism to become an integral part of creating another important chapter in the social contract with America.

As the Vice President of Educational Programming for Major League Baseball and an author, Sharon Robinson continues to preserve her father's legacy--well. ... Read more

Product Description
Jackie Robinson became the first black Major League baseball player of the modern era when he stepped onto the field as a Brooklyn Dodger in 1947. In simple, engaging language, this book follows Jackie from childhood through his career as an MVP–award winning baseball player and a hero of the civil rights movement. This book is perfect for Black History Month and the start of spring training! ... Read more

Product Description
In an evocative and personal memoir enhanced by hundreds of photographs, the widow of Jackie Robinson provides an intimate portrait of her husband, his rise to success, the impact of his fame on the family, and his life after baseball. 51,000 first printing. $51,000 ad/promo.Amazon.com Review
This rich collection of 301 black-and-white photographs, publishedin time for the 50th anniversary of the integration of professional baseballin 1947, chronicles the life of Jackie Robinson, one of America's mostbeloved--and least-known--sports heroes. Robinson's stoicism allowed him toendure racist taunts and mistreatment as the first black major leaguer, butit also kept his fans, and even his family, from seeing beyondthe quietdignity that characterized his public persona. Robinson died prematurely atage 53, having admitted that "I had too much stored up inside."From these photos, and the text co-authored by Lee Daniel, a more full ideaof Robinson, the man, emerges. ... Read more

Product Description
April 15, 1947, marked the most important opening day in baseball history. When Jackie Robinson stepped onto the diamond that afternoon at Ebbets Field, he became the first black man to break into major-league baseball in the twentieth century. World War II had just ended. Democracy had triumphed. Now Americans were beginning to press for justice on the home front -- and Robinson had a chance to lead the way.

He was an unlikely hero. He had little experience in organized baseball. His swing was far from graceful. And he was assigned to play first base, a position he had never tried before that season. But the biggest concern was his temper. Robinson was an angry man who played an aggressive style of ball. In order to succeed he would have to control himself in the face of what promised to be a brutal assault by opponents of integration.

In Opening Day, Jonathan Eig tells the true story behind the national pastime's most sacred myth. Along the way he offers new insights into events of sixty years ago and punctures some familiar legends. Was it true that the St. Louis Cardinals plotted to boycott their first home game against the Brooklyn Dodgers? Was Pee Wee Reese really Robinson's closest ally on the team? Was Dixie Walker his greatest foe? How did Robinson handle the extraordinary stress of being the only black man in baseball and still manage to perform so well on the field? Opening Day is also the story of a team of underdogs that came together against tremendous odds to capture the pennant. Facing the powerful New York Yankees, Robinson and the Dodgers battled to the seventh game in one of the most thrilling World Series competitions of all time.

Drawing on interviews with surviving players, sportswriters, and eyewitnesses, as well as newly discovered material from archives around the country, Jonathan Eig presents a fresh portrait of a ferocious competitor who embodied integration's promise and helped launch the modern civil-rights era. Full of new details and thrilling action, Opening Day brings to life baseball's ultimate story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

A PIECE OF HISTORY
THE AUTHOR MR EIG DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING THE STORY OF THE 1947 NATIONAL LEAGUE SEASON WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE VERY FIRST NEGRO IN BASEBALL. COVER TO COVER THIS IS A VERY DETAILED AND ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THE ARRIVAL OF JACKIE ROBINSON TO THE DODGERS. I HAVE READ OTHER BOOKS ABOUT JACKIE AND THIS ONE IS THE BEST. IT IS QUITE INTERESTING TO READ ABOUT THE PREJUDICE THAT WAS PRESENT IN THE WORLD. (THERE STILL IS BUT TO A LESSER DEGREE.) A FEW OF THE DODGERS MADE HIM FEEL WELCOME BUT SOME WOULD HAVE BOYCOTTED IF THEY WERE ALLOWED TO. OTHER TEAMS SIMPLY RAZZED HIM USING ALL KINDS FOUL LANGUAGE AND USING THE N WORD AND MUCH WORSE. HE WAS SPIKED PURPOSELY, HIS LIFE WAS THREATENED AND HE COULD NOT FIGHT BACK. THIS BEING ONE OF THE CONDITIONS LAYED OUT BY BRANCH RICKEY. I CAN'T IMAGINE ALL THE OTHER THINGS JACKIE WENT THROUGH, STAYING IN BLACK ONLY HOTELS, EATING ON BUSES AT WHITE ONLY RESTAURANTS, AND MANY MANY MORE INCIDENTS NOT RECORDED. JUST THINK WHAT A CAREER HE COULD HAVE HAD IF HE COULD STARTED IN THE MAJORS FIVE YEARS SOONER. THIS BOOK REALLY MADE ME APPRECIATE THE CHARACTER OF JACKIE WHO ENDURED SO MUCH DURING HIS ENTIRE CAREER. THIS BOOK REALLY CAPTURES THE 1947 ATMOSPHERE AND NOSTALGIA. THIS BOOK IS A TREASURE AND I RECOMMEND IT FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS.

one of the great books on baseball or civil rights
Over 30+ years, I've read *many* books on baseball. This is one of the very best.

It is rare anymore that I learn many new things from baseball books. This book, however, contained a number of interesting and new-to-me details about Jackie Robinson and the story of his integration of baseball. Besides those bonuses, the book is well-written and honest. This story is very important not only to baseball, but to the U.S. civil rights movement. It is a risk to write about such important events because much has already been written about them, and you can't make missteps--as an author you have to be careful with this emotional story and with the many other versions that have appeared in the 60 years since the event. Mr. Eig does a masterful job and comes through with a book that will remain on my bookshelf (no selling to the used bookstore on this one!)

This is a real treasure and I look forward to reading more of Jonathan Eig's work.

Captures A Hero and 1947 Baseball
Author Jonathan Eig makes us feel like we're standing right next to Jackie at Ebbetts Field as he plays first base, bats .297, and dances off the basepaths.Sadly, we also feel the racial taunts, catcalls, beanballs, and spikings he endured in heroic silence.Eig provides a nicely personal look at Jackie and his wife Rachel, plus players like Dixie Walker, Ralph Branca, Stan Musial, Joe Garagiola, Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio, etc.We also get a bird's-eye view of the 1947 season, plus the tense World Series between Brooklyn and the Yankees.The author repeatedly reminds us of a more-discriminatory U.S. society in 1947, outlining well-planned moves that Brooklyn boss Branch Rickey employed to ease Jackie's path.Those included having Jackie first integrate the minors at Montreal, using soft-hearted manager Burt Shotton, trading away angry southerners like pitcher Kirby Higbe, and employing sportswriter Wendell Smith to help with publicity and segretated accomodations.In short, Jackie arrived while U.S. war veterans had returned, southern blacks were heading northward, the economy bloomed, and television and suburbia were set to emerge.

I gave the book just four stars because the author makes a couple minor factual errors, and like most other authors, avoids the modern tragedy of too many under-educated ghetto youngsters falsely viewing sports as their magic ticket.Still, this nicely readable and informative book is well worth your time.

Opening Day, indeed
I really, really enjoyed this book.It's thoroughly researched, hugely informative, appropriately empathetic, and very well written.

That said, the author digresses a lot.For example, for some reason, we hear about the impact Jack Robinson's first season had on Malcolm X, as well as on no fewer than half a dozen youngsters.Don't get me wrong:These side-stories range from merely interesting at worst to genuinely moving.But I think they're in the book at the expense of a deeper discussion of the tight race in the National League.

Another couple of quibbles:The author doesn't talk about umpires at all.Nothing about their views on integration, their possible biases against Robinson, their actual treatment of him--nada.Also, as much attention as the author gives to black attendance, he really tells the reader nothing about whether major-league ballparks were segregated or what.

All in all, though, Opening Day is a fine read and well worth any baseball fan's time and money.

Eig hits a grand slam!
First, Jonathan Eig is a tremendous writer! He does have a tendency to detour along tangential lines, but that adds to the richness and backdrop of the drama that was experienced by Jackie Robinson. Eig transforms history into humanity with cameo appearances by icons such as Babe Ruth, Malcolm X, and Sidney Poitier. I felt the sense of pride that African Americans of mid 20th century America must have felt. It bolstered the idea of "Only in America". This was a civil rights story before Till, Brown v. Board.., Parks, and King.I hurt with Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, and a litany of other Negro Leagues stars born "out of season". I smelled the hot dogs of Ebbets Field. I met and loved Branch Rickey. I watched Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Stanky, and Dixie Walker and many others mature. I adored Jackie Robinson for his talent and demeanor. All courtesy of Jonathan Eig, who BROUGHT IT! ... Read more

Product Description

In this gripping profile of a pioneer, John R.M. Wilson illustrates how Jackie Robinson’s life transcended his baseball career to illuminate the racial struggles of the nation.

By breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson (1919—1973) brought the American public face-to-face with a dilemma that has plagued the nation throughout its history: the disjuncture between the American ideals of liberty and equality and the realities of racial prejudice, segregation, and discrimination.

Paperback, brief, and inexpensive, each of the titles in the “Library of American Biography” series focuses on a figure whose actions and ideas significantly influenced the course of American history and national life. In addition, each biography relates the life of its subject to the broader themes and developments of the times.

Customer Reviews (1)

Two in One
I read this book on Jackie Robinson expecting it to be about baseball and got a history lesson on civil rights as well. John Wilson combines his two passions in life, Baseball and History. Easy to read with great stories both on and off the field. Highly recommended.

4cheeseburgerguy ... Read more

Product Description
Arnold Rampersad's brilliant biography of "Jackie" Robinson offers an intimate look at one of the most well-known American figures. Drawing heavily on never-before-seen personal documents, Rampersad gives readers privileged glimpses of this complex man and his compelling story, from his birth in Georgia to his stardom in baseball to his work in the civil rights movement.Amazon.com Review
In baseball and beyond, 1997 has been the year of JackieRobinson, the 50th anniversary of his obliteration of the game's colorline, and a time to reflect on a marvelous man whose heroism anddecency cut far beyond the foul lines. Arnold Rampersad, a Princetonprofessor who's edited the poetry of Langston Hughes and the essays ofRichard Wright, and collaborated with tennis great Arthur Ashe on hispowerful memoir Days of Grace, steps up to the plate here withthe first truly comprehensive Robinson biography. It's an importantaccomplishment, ripe with historical and social insight without losingsight of the human being at its core. Thoroughly researched--RachelRobinson gave the author access to her husband's personal papers--andfilled with fascinating new detail, the book, like its subject,consistently takes the extra base, thrilling with its overall skill,depth, and perspective. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

An American Hero
The book "Jackie Robinson: A Biography," is an amazingly descriptive masterpiece of the life of Jackie Robinson.I gained interest in this book following a review that I read that promoted and gave a detailed summary of its contents. After reading this book I found that this review gave an accurate description and evaluation of the book.

Arnold Rampersad was able to successfully portray all aspects of Mr. Robinson's life, from the day he was born to the day of his death.He used association effectively to compare Jackie with other great Americans and to make him the face of the African American people.This book not only focused on the great baseball career he had with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but highlighted his early sports career while in school and the work he did for the community following his playing days.

Some reviewers felt that the author did not accurately show the reader the adversity that Jackie faced in his playing days, when in fact it was repeatedly acknowledged in nearly every game and road trip throughout the book. The author gives great detail to this struggle that affected both Jackie and his supporters.

I encourage anyone with an interest in baseball to read this book, along with anyone who wants to learn about what it takes for even a man as great as Jackie Robinson to make a positive impact on society.

Jeff Brigham, TJHS Student

The Jackie Robinson Enigma
Without a doubt, Jackie Robinson was one of the most courageous and influential individuals ever to walk the planet.His legacy is well documented; breaking MLB's color barrier in 1947 & going on to have a remarkable Hall of Fame career, despite the enormous obstacles he endured during that time.

Arnold Rampersad has compiled an interesting biography on this great player, thanks to the help of Robinson's widow, Rachel.As a fan of the game, the effort was a bit disappointing, from a baseball perspective.Little is revealed about the tremendous ordeal Robinson endured from nearly every sector of society---from the ignorant and narrow minded fans, to some of the ignorant and narrow minded opponents on the field, as well as some of the top level executives in baseball who opposed him (such as Connie Mack).From a historical perspective, that story would've been more compelling.

Still, the work Rampersad delivers is rich with stories of Robinson's crusade for civil rights, largely thanks to letters his widow, Rachel released to the author.Somehow, the reader gets a bit short changed on some of the events that took place in Robinson's life that obviously had an impact on his public demeanor.In all likelihood, the abuse Robinson endured during his life (both physical & verbal) took its toll; he died barely into his 50s, although the ravages of his personal demons made him look much older than he really was, late in his life.That's a tremendous tragedy, but seems to have been glossed over for some reason.

Although this book lacks a bit of depth, it's still a most compelling story; and one that every American should read to get some idea of what this man had to endure, just to play a game of baseball.

ExcellentBirthday Gift
After reading several excellent reviews of this book, I purchased it for
my nepbew's birthday.I have not read the book myself since I lived through that period.

Great thing to read!
It was a year of Fire and also the year of Grace for Jackie Robinson!! It is an amazing book to read about a great person who changed history and loves baseball!! It is more than just baseball and it has so many things to show that shaped Jackie's life so much. It is also spiritual and emotional book that leaves you to become a stronger person to make a great difference in the world.

Jackie Robinson
I really liked this book and normally I dont like reading. Ijust wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. I think Jackie Robinson is a vary good romodel because no matter what, you should never give up. Because Jackie never gave up he ended up being one of the best baseball players to ever play the game. But most of all he broke the color code for all professional sports. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The remarkable correspondence of a remarkable man
I was 9 years old, and living in Brooklyn, when Jackie Robinson broke in in 1947.I saw a few Dodger games - from the center field bleachers (only $.60) - and was a huge fan of Jackie's. Over the years I thought I'd kept up pretty well with his both his baseball career and his later business and political involvments.Nevertheless, this wonderful collection/selection of his correspondence, accurately sub-titled "The Civil Rights Letters of Jackie Robinson," just blew me away.
Let me be clear: This is not a book primarily for baseball fans, it is a book for all Americans - all people - who want to know more about both this remarkable man and many of the most prominent American leaders of the 1950s and '60s. Robinson corresponded often, and sometimes at considerable length, with Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, Nelson Rockefeller, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johson, Barry Goldwater, and many others.
Michael Long, who edited this collection - and provides useful, brief introductions as needed - includes not only Robinson's letters but also many of the responses he received.As with Robinson's letters, these replies shed wonderful insight on the letter-writers. Almost always they are writing for their recipient, not for the public or posterity.I taught American History at a college prep school for 38 years; I thought I knew well the history of the Civil Rights era and the men who made it. It's rare at my age that I find a book that brings genuinely knew information and perspective which causes me to re-think my assessments of men and events. "First Class Citizenship" has done so. I very much hope it gains a wide audience. Readers will become more familiar not only with Jackie Robinson in all his passion and complexity and integrity but also with the men in power, good and not-so-good, who shaped the history of that tumultuous time. ... Read more

Product Description

After Sam's father died, he became so wrapped up in the Brooklyn Dodgers that he could describe every game they'd played in the past four years. Nobody was very interested, until Sam met Davy. They came from different races, religions, and generations. But it didn't take long before they had a friendship that went well beyond baseball.

Customer Reviews (9)

a teacher's perspective
You will miss out on a great read if you think this story is just about baseball.This is a compelling novel about an interracial friendship between a young Jewish boy and an older African American man.They find their common interest in a love for Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers.The story takes place in the 50's and the author, in subtle ways, shows the reader how things are dfferent for the African Americans in the U.S. at this time.Their friendship is believable and the story touching (I choke up every time I read it aloud).Although kids who enjoy sports will certainly appreciate the details, all kids will enjoy the message of friendship beyond racial barriers.I highly recommend this for every 4th-6th grader.

My Grandmother Wrote This
My grandmother, Barbara Cohen, wrote this book in hopes that it would show that you don't have to be the same race in order to have an incredible bond.I think she did just that in this wonderful novel.Though she is not alive, she lives in our hearts, and can be remembered through this timeless classic.A must read.

This Was Great
I read Thank You, Jackie Robinson for a book report.This book was a really good book for a baseball fan, or just a sports fan.
This book not only talked about baseball but, it also had a great meaning. This book made me feel really great and happy when I read it. At one point in the book it was a bit sad but, I counld't stop reading it. The author, Barbara Cohen, wrote this book very well.She must haved loved writing this book because I really enjoyed reading it.Even if you don't like baseball or sports I still recomend this book.

Jonathan Kohana : Thank You, Jackie Robinson
This book, Thank You, Jackie Robinson is mostly about friendship.Well first of all I should tell you the character names, The main character is Sam and Davy and you can't forget Jackie Robison.Mrs. Cohen has expressed great description about the setting and everything she has to say.Sam and Davy love the Brooklyn Dodgers and they talk about the Dodgers all the time.Sam is especially attached to Davy because Sam doesn't have a father and Davy is like a father to him.Davy, first of all was the chef for thier Inn and Davy had a Daughter namedHenrietta.Then Davy gets ill and sick and Sam wants to make him happy, so he goes to a Ball game and gets a ball that Jackie Robinson hit and got it adographed by all the players and in the middle Jackie says " Get better Davy." And then Davy dies.And I think mrs. Cohen made the reader want to read more because thier had a death.Now Sam has lost 2 great men in his life and has nobody to talk with about the games.But Sam thinks Davy is right next him in heaven and turns the game on after being in a misery and says " Hit the ball, Jackie, Hit the ball"And Jackie Robinson responses in a huge way when getting a hit and Sam rememberes Jackie rounding he bases, Oh does he remember!!!

Jonathan Kohana : Thank You, Jackie Robinson
This book, Thank You, Jackie Robinson is mostly about friendship.Well first of all I should tell you the character names, The main character is Sam and Davy and you can't forget Jackie Robison.Mrs. Cohen has expressed great description about the setting and everything she has to say.Sam and Davy love the Brooklyn Dodgers and they talk about the Dodgers all the time.Sam is especially attached to Davy because Sam doesn't have a father and Davy is like a father to him.Davy, first of all was the chef for thier Inn and Davy had a Daughter namedHenrietta.Then Davy gets ill and sick and Sam wants to make him happy, so he goes to a Ball game and gets a ball that Jackie Robinson hit and got it adographed by all the players and in the middle Jackie says " Get better Davy." And then Davy dies.And I think mrs. Cohen made the reader want to read more because thier had a death.Now Sam has lost 2 great men in his life and has nobody to talk with about the games.But Sam thinks Davy is right next him in heaven and turns the game on after being in a misery and says " Hit the ball, Jackie, Hit the ball"And Jackie Robinson responses in a huge way when getting a hit and Sam rememberes Jackie rounding he bases, Oh does he remember!!! ... Read more

Product Description
The first African American to play in the major leagues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Jackie Robinson
This was a fairly good book. Sally Walker gave a good account of his life. I know that there is so much that could be written about Jackie Robinson but this short book covered all of the main points.I believe that it could have used a little bit more detail because in some parts of the story it makes big jumps. However, overall it is a good book for young children to read when learning about Jackie Robinson. ... Read more

Product Description
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson stepped onto EbbetsField as a Brooklyn Dodger and changed American baseball forever.

The first black man to play in the white major leagues, he had thecourage to confront racism and fight for the rights of all blackpeople, on and off the baseball diamond. He shattered the colorbarrier, and with tremendous skill and determination, he became notonly one of the most legendary baseball players of all time, but alsoa great American hero.

Half a century later, Jackie Robinson's extraordinary story remains an important contribution to America's favorite pastime and to American history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Great Read!
I bought this book for my 11yo son to do a book report on. He really enjoyed it. He said that he ended up feeling like he was reading it for fun and it did not feel like a "school thing" at all.

non foretful book
The reason i like this book is because it describes a lot on one person. im not much of a biography reader myself, but this one was different. this story made me learn that back then they wouldn't let the blacks play just because of there skin color! I mean i already knew that before but Jackie robinson changed the whole worlds meaning to the the blacks enabling to do the same thing same things as the whites! I could definetly recomend this book to anyone because it not only talks about Jackie himself, it makes you remember him for the rest of your life! So just dont forget about this because it could change your ways of thinking for the rest of your lives!!

How was the book?
This book was really good, what Jackie did dreally inspires me to never let anyone tell you something you can't do. Jackie was so good at a lot of sports, he played, baseball (ofcoarse), football, basketball, tennis, etc. This man was a very tremendous all around athlete. This book would also inspire a lot of other people to never give up on what they want to be or what they want to accomplish.

This mostly takes place on the road or on the field, Jackie started playing major leage baseball... I'll say, during the 1950's. He was called names, for example, nigger, black boy and things like that. Jackie was told not to let that go to him, just ignore it, but Jackie was really feisty so that was pretty hard. So one day Jackie just could not take it anymore so he went and spoke to the white fellows and straightened them up. Jackie was very courages and honarble that is why he inspires me so much.

THIS BOOK IS REALLY GOOD YOU SHOULD READ IT!

THE LIFE THAT CHANGED BASEBALL
I've been reading Stealing Home the story of Jackie Robinson.I liked this book because I am a huge baseball fan and I've always looked up to Jackie Robinson.Most Characters in the book were cruel to Jackie by racism, so I didn't really like most of them.I really liked Branch Rickey because he is the one who drafted Jackie and integrated baseball.
This book was about Jackie Robinson and how his life changed baseball.Jackie grew up as a poor, young boy and his father had walked out on him.As he grew up it was just he, his mom, his sister, and his two brothers.As he went through college Jackie was a football and basketball star.Later after college he went to the army where he then played baseball in the Negro Leagues.Later, Branch Rickey would draft him to play in the Major Leagues.

THE LIFE THAT CHANGED BASEBALL
I've been reading Stealing Home the story of Jackie Robinson.I liked this book because I am a huge baseball fan and I've always looked up to Jackie Robinson.Most Characters in the book were cruel to Jackie by racism, so I didn't really like most of them.I really liked Branch Rickey because he is the one who drafted Jackie and integrated baseball.
This book was about Jackie Robinson and how his life changed baseball.Jackie grew up as a poor, young boy and his father had walked out on him.As he grew up it was just he, his mom, his sister, and his two brothers.As he went through college Jackie was a football and basketball star.Later after college he went to the army where he then played baseball in the Negro Leagues.Later, Branch Rickey would draft him to play in the Major Leagues.
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