Souled Out? How Blacks Are Winning and Losing in Sports

just finished the book. i want to echo everything that was said in the other reviews. this is a great and important book that looks beneath the phony glamorous facade of sports. i highly reccomend it to everyone interested in american culture. the book was overwhelmingly compelling to the point that i ripped through it eager to learn as much as possible. the style of writing and content were completely engrossing and full of important analysis and revelations. highly reccomended to anyone sick of the destructive aspects of our sports-road to riches culture who senses that there is so much more really going on in the world of sports. i hope he writes more books soon.

First of all, I'm not a sports fan, but I'm aware enough of the world around me to know Muhammad Ali from Howard Cossell. The raised fists on the cover of "Souled Out?" took me straight to the opening pages. I was hooked. As a white male, how could I put down a book in which the author confesses in the first pages that Tommy Smith's courageously defiant raised fist made him, the author as a young man, want to go out and punch the first white kid he met? As someone who doesn't follow sports, I can't argue with Powell's thesis, but I can tell you that his argument captivated me. "Souled Out?" opens up and teases out social issues with important and far-reaching implications that go far beyond sports. It remains clear and compelling throughout, even to a non-sports-fan. I closed "Souled Out?" with a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the challenges facing black atheletes in America.

Powell brings up many good points, is easy to read, & this book makes for good discussions! It highlights the lack of the father-figure in many African-American households and how it has effected this generation--on & off the field. Many other issues are raised, however, this is what impacted me the most.

I enjoyed reading William Rhoden's "Million Dollar Slaves" last year, but it read more like a history lesson than does Shaun Powell's excellent page-turner. While Powell offers some historical perspective on the state of black athletes in America, "Souled Out" is primarily driven by present-day issues. This is a big reason for my enjoying his book so much. This is an engrossing, thoughtful read by a terrific writer and the book should encourage lively debate around many dinner tables, water coolers, and football tailgates this season. Sports fans of every stripe will find this to be a great read spanning a variety of important issues. I could not put it down! A+

Powell provides a thought-provoking look at the modern day black athlete. He points out the shortcomings of big-time athletes and how some athletes have made themselves jesters. At the same time, he also provides future directions for improving the situation of today's athlete in this honest but opinionated book. This is a great read for anyone interested in racial issues. It's the best book that I've read in several years.