Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America
4.6 | 9 ratings
Price: 25.6
Last update: 02-02-2026
Product details
- Publisher : Mariner Books
- Publication date : January 20, 2026
- Language : English
- Print length : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0063308169
- ISBN-13 : 978-0063308169
- Item Weight : 1.08 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank:#618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Baseball (Books)
- Black & African American Biographies
- Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- Customer Reviews:4.74.7 out of 5 stars(4)
Top reviews from the United States
- Read-A-LotThe unvarnished truth!!Howard Bryant, frequently recognized as one who masters in the exploration of race and sports, or more accurately race in sports, has brought his best stuff to this project and he delivered a gem. Over 13 chapters, this comprehensive and meticulously researched investigation delves into the intersection between Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson. While Jackie Robinson is undoubtedly the more widely recognized name, this recognition is largely due to Paul Robeson’s exclusion from history due to being blackballed.
“Kings and Pawns” makes significant strides in rectifying this injustice. One of Jackie Robinson’s greatest faux pas was his inability to avoid being exploited. In Kings and Pawns we get the complete in-depth story of Jackie testifying before the HUAC and although his testimony was certainly a stab to Paul Robeson, what got left out of the popular retelling was Jackie Robinson’s comments on the US anti-Black racism issue. However, what you have here is the accurate retelling, popular sentiment be damned! The behind the scenes goings-ons are important, because it provides the reader with a more flushed out foundation.
That allows readers to access a broader, diverse, and perhaps more compassionate perspective, perhaps avoiding the Jackie Robinson trope of him consistently being on the wrong side of history (Paul Robeson and Muhammad Ali).
If Mr. Howard Bryant had simply focused on Paul Robeson and amplified his greatness through biography and history, that would have been sufficient.
Alternatively, if Mr. Bryant had just examined Jackie Robinson’s remarkable story in the context of baseball and his place in history, that would have been equally valuable. But to combine both and add enough biographical elements of both men, he has swung for the fences and hit a HOME RUN! In a word, this book is excellent! Make room on your shelf, book arrives Jan. 20, 2026. Great big shoutout to Mariner Books and the author for an ARC! - Anonym S.Why no download sample?Book looks interesting, but can't tell without a sample download button. Ebooks without a sample do not make sense.
- Catherine PearlmanBrilliant and important.One of the best books I've read in several years. I knew about Jackie Robinson. I knew (less) about Paul Robeson. But the intersecting of their lives and plights—that's new to me, and nothing short of riveting. The book also serves as a (strangely reassuring) reminder that America 2026 isn't as original as one might think. The awfulness of Trump's government is a cheap copy of much of what these two icons experienced. A brilliant book.
- Brendan O'MearaA masterful and timely historyA necessary history that ties together two kings of their time and deftly illustrates the ways in which the mighty get turned into pawns by the powerful.