Elevating the Game: The History and Aesthetics of Black Men in Baseball

An insightful overview of the African-American in basketball and how the game has thus changed forever. The information on the old teams like The Harlem Renaissance was fascinating. They were a black-owned pioneering team from the 1920's, known as the Rens that paved the way for the superstars of today. The history of the Harlem Globetrotters is chronicled as well and the influence on basketball and the players who made the jump to the NBA like Nate "Sweetwater" Clifton. There are sections that detail the inroads African-American players made, such as Chuck Cooper who was the first black Boston Celtic. All the great old players are discussed , including Bill Russsell, Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Dr. J, Elvin Hayes, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and "Magic" Johnson amongst others. The role of others in basketballs development includes such b-ball dignitaries as Larry Bird, Bill Walton, Red Auerbach and John Wooden are also mentioned. The history of the NBA is not very detailed but suffices for the novice to the sport and includes the merger of the ABA and the NBA and it's stars. The unique aesthetic of the black athelete and the relationship to music and entertainment is also discussed. Presented in a style that is very easy to read this book would be good for high school students of the game. This book is a good educational tool for students to learn the history of the game and how it has evolved.

Nelson George is a brilliant, articulate, sardonic, insightful author and a wonderful man. Anyone who has a profound appreciation of minority history and/or the game of basketball will thoroughly enjoy this well-written, well-researched masterpiece. Amen.

Like my book "SKY KINGS", this is a valuable resource of how basketball came to be associated with Black males. If you enjoy stories of vitnage players such as Oscar Roberston and Elgin Baylor' it's all here. Also discusses the style of the game. Bijan Bayne, author "Sky Kings".