Jesse Owens (A & E Biography) [Hardcover]

Thomas Streissguth (Author), Tom Streissguth (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Series: Biography (Lerner Hardcover)

Describes the life of the sharecroppers' son who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and challenged Hitler's notion of Aryan superiority.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In another title in A & E Biography series, Streissguth profiles Jesse Owens, best known for winning four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Snubbed by Hitler, whose theories of Aryan superiority were dramatically undermined by the African American's victories, Owens returned to acclaim in the U.S., but not to a life of ease. Streissguth discusses Owens' youth as well as the personal, professional, and political challenges he faced in adulthood. Black-and-white photos appear throughout the book, and source notes and a bibliography are appended. A readable account of a remarkable and sometimes controversial life. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publications (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822549409
• ISBN-13: 978-0822549406
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,838,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jesse Owens Overcame Discrimination and Nazism, December 1, 2000

By 

"cc1100" (Morris Plains, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesse Owens (A & E Biography) (Hardcover)

Tom Streissguth's book gives a brief biography of Jesse Owens from his childhood days in Alabama in the early 1900s to the 1984 Olympic ceremonies memorial service honoring him. Owens attended Ohio State University where he excelled at track. After university he qualified for the 1936 Summer Olympic in Berlin, Germany. In Germany Owens was subjected to the racist ideals of Adolf Hitler. Hitler dramatically undermined the four gold medals Owen won solely because Owen was an African-American. But when Owens returned home to the United States he continued to be discriminated against purely because of his skin color.

Jesse Owens set the world record for the long jump and won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He truly is an American hero. Yet, he also conquered many other battles regarding racism and discrimination. Tom Streissguth's book is a multicultural book because it exemplifies an African-American man and the hardships he had to overcome to succeed in a society that judged him by his race. The photos illustrate Owens accomplishments. The book is free of negative stereotypes and describes the importance of accepting all people regardless of any difference they may have.