Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, striking a crucial blow for racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never Had It Made is Robinson's own candid, hard-hitting account of what it took to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues.

I Never Had It Made recalls Robinson's early years and influences: his time at UCLA, where he became the school's first four-letter athlete; his army stint during World War II, when he challenged Jim Crow laws and narrowly escaped court martial; his years of frustration, on and off the field, with the Negro Leagues; and finally that fateful day when Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers proposed what became known as the "Noble Experiment" -- Robinson would step up to bat to integrate and revolutionize baseball.

More than a baseball story, I Never Had It Made also reveals the highs and lows of Robinson's life after baseball. He recounts his political aspirations and civil rights activism; his friendships with Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, William Buckley, Jr., and Nelson Rockefeller; and his troubled relationship with his son, Jackie, Jr.

Originally published the year Robinson died, I Never Had It Made endures as an inspiring story of a man whose heroism extended well beyond the playing field.

This is a new release of the original 1948 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1948 edition.

As the first African American player in major league baseball, Jackie Robinson had the eyes of the nation upon him. The pressure was incredible; not only did he constantly face prejudice-from ignorant fans, malicious players, and even bigoted sportswriters-but he also carried the hopes and expectations of all those who were rooting for him. Most mortals would have been crushed, but Jackie Robinson was no ordinary man. Maintaining both his dignity and calm while under attack, Robinson handled the stress heroically and delivered top-notch performance. His first year he batted .297, was chosen to be Rookie of the Year, and two years later, he was voted the league's MVP.

Not surprisingly, there has been plenty of media coverage on such an iconic and groundbreaking player, but in "Jackie Robinson: My Own Story," Robinson's experiences both on and off the field are presented in his own words. This account (as told to the veteran sports writer Wendell Smith) was written soon after Robinson's first year in the majors. It helps us understand the forces that influenced this much admired superstar as well as gives us insight into what it was like to live and perform under unfathomable pressure.

Jackie Robinson has left an indelible mark on baseball history. In fact, his jersey, number 42, is the only number to be retired for all teams in the majors. For any baseball fan interested in one of the game's true greats, both on the field and off, "Jackie Robinson: My Own Story" is an engaging must-read.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!