Customer Reviews

Voices from the Negro Leagues: Conversations with 52 Baseball Standouts of the Period, 1924-1960

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I read this book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down! You will learn what it was like for these great athletes back then from the players themselfs. If you want to learn about the Negro Leagues this is the book!

I found this book to be an accurate and heartfelt account of life in the Negro League. Mr. Brent intervied my father, Henry Kimbro, and I was pleased with experiences he got out of my dad. It was wonderful reading.

This is a must read for anyone interested in the Negro Leagues. Brent captures the stories and careers of some of the unsung heroes of baseball in this book. Once you read one of his books you will want to read more.

Negro Leagues Baseball is a triumphant story in stadiums large and small where the only individual not allowed on the diamond or in the stands went by the name of Jim Crow.

And while there are names forever linked with the grand history of NLB, there are hundreds of other players who proudly wore the uniforms of the various clubs, but are small footnotes in the big picture of the game. Author Brent P. Kelley presents an oral history that is split into two parts - before and after Jackie Robinson began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball - that brings to life the players in those box scores.

John "Mule" Miles - who played for the Chicago Elite Giants from 1946-1949 - typifies the player who had great moments that had been lost in time. In 1947, Miles hit 11 homers in 11 games, but it was a game versus Memphis which earned him his nickname. In that contest, Miles smacked two homers - with the latter being the game-winner - which had manager Jim Taylor commenting that he hits the ball like a mule kicks.

There are great stories from Cowan "Bubba" Hyde, Bill Cash, Willie Grace, Bill Beverly and Dennis Biddle which truly captures the real life & times of NLB players.

These voices should never be forgotten and every player chronicled is not only a hero of the game, but a champion on the field of life.