Jackie Robinson and the American Dilemma

Wilson examines Robinson's life and career within the context of the fight for racial equality and shows how Robinson's pride, patience, and profound sense of purpose converged to make him the ideal candidate for the role he played as a pioneer in the struggle to level the playing field for all Americans.
The text highlights the triumphs and pitfalls of Robinson's groundbreaking baseball career, leading students on a journey through the bleak landscape of American race relations in the mid-twentieth century, and follows the sports icon throughout his post-baseball career as he dabbles in politics and becomes a major player in the civil rights struggles of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Study and Discussion Questions at the end of the book help students check their reading and comprehension. These questions can also be used to facilitate discussions in the classroom or student study groups.

John R.M. Wilson teaches at Vanguard University.