Jesse Owens: A Life in American History

A compelling resource for sports enthusiasts, this book places the life and athletic accomplishments of Jesse Owens within the context of race and American history in the early 20th century.

The year 2020 marked the 40th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest track and field athletes in intercollegiate and Olympic history. This book examines Jesse Owens' upbringing, religious and spiritual life, and collegiate years and includes an examination of race, politics, and Nazi Germany as a backdrop to the 1936 Olympics. It also considers Owens' personal economic hardships after his triumph at the Olympic Games, his death, and his legacy.

Chapters are organized around the major developments in Jesse Owens' life, from his birth in Oakville, Alabama in 1913 to his death in Tucson, Arizona in 1980, and all his groundbreaking athletic achievements in between. Primary source documents, sidebars, a timeline, and a bibliography provide valuable additional information for readers. The final chapter, "Why Jesse Owens Matters," explores his cultural and historical significance.