Includes bibliographical references (p. [281]-287) and index.

Introduction -- Timeline -- Buck O'Neil -- Judy Johnson -- Buck Leonard -- Cool Papa Bell -- Josh Gibson -- Jackie Robinson -- Roy Campanella -- Don Newcombe -- Larry Doby -- Satchel Paige -- Monte Irvin -- Willie Mays -- Willie McCovey -- Ernie Banks -- Elston Howard -- Minnie Minoso -- Frank Robinson -- Bob Gibson -- Curt Flood -- Hank Aaron.

Gr 9 Up Crafting a readable and informative history, Freedman reminds readers of the struggles of Hank Aaron and his brethren. The articles are arranged neither alphabetically nor strictly chronologically. Instead, the order of subject coverage is chosen to best weave individual stories into a cohesive account of African Americans in baseball in the 20th century. Each lengthy selection provides details of the players' personal and professional lives as well as the abuses they suffered. Since Freedman was able to interview a few of the players, such as Buck O'Neill and Minnie Minoso, the anecdotes and reminiscences make these men seem real, and the racism they encountered that much more painful. The bibliography, index, and chapter notes are extensive, but the black-and-white photos are a bit scarce. This book, with its greater focus on players, will complement Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack's Black Diamond (Scholastic, 1994), which devotes more space to the formation of the Negro Leagues. Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.