I’m a rabid baseball fan, and have read plenty of books about individual players, teams, the history of the major leagues, etc. I’m looking for a good book on the history of the Negro Leagues. I’d like something which doesn’t really concentrate on the few obvious great players, but more of a general (though comprehensive) overview of the Leagues as a whole.
I know there are a few baseball fans out there who can help me out. Thanks.
“Only the Ball was White” is a great title; supposed to be a pretty good book.
Negro?(and yes, I do know waht that means)
Yes, Smiley, “Negro”. That was the name of the league, that’s what it is referred to as, and I don’t think it’ll be changed. The museum linked to below is an amazing tribute to the pride and respect of that league. In my three visits there, I’ve yet to see any condemnation of the term “Negro” in its description
Being from Kansas City, the home of the Negro League Baseball Museum, I’d recommend anything by Buck O’Neil. The man is a national treasure, and it looks like he has a book out: I Was Right On Time.
Other suggestions:
Complete Book of Baseball’s Negro Leagues
Catching Dreams: My Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues
Only the Ball Was White
If you ever get to Kansas City, the NLBM is a must-see.
“Baseball’s Great Experiment” by Jules Tygiel, which is predominantly about the signing of Jackie Robinson by the Dodgers also contains excellent information about the Negro Leagues and other attempts at integration of Major League Baseball.