Souled Out? How Blacks Are Winning and Losing in Sports Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I enjoyed reading William Rhoden's "Million Dollar Slaves" last year, but it read more like a history lesson than does Shaun Powell's excellent page-turner. While Powell offers some historical perspective on the state of black athletes in America, "Souled Out" is primarily driven by present-day issues. This is a big reason for my enjoying his book so much.
This is an engrossing, thoughtful read by a terrific writer and the book should encourage lively debate around many dinner tables, water coolers, and football tailgates this season. Sports fans of every stripe will find this to be a great read spanning a variety of important issues. I could not put it down! A+

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Souled Out?

That's the question author Shaun Powell poses and ultimately answers with regard to the nature of blacks' participation in American sports. Neither blacks nor whites—athletes, coaches, administrators, owners, media, parents, and yes, even fans—are without blame for race still being an issue in the athletic arena. And Powell, perhaps like you, is fed up with the excuses.

Souled Out? boldly addresses the following dilemmas and more:

-Do today's black athletes and coaches have the purpose to follow the leads of pioneers like Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson, Robert Johnson, or Tony Dungy?

-Is Muhammad Ali's great legacy being misused to justify the behavior of today's prima donnas and their preconceived, self-centered celebrations?

-Why, with tremendous models like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Venus and Serena Williams, and Candace Parker, is black female participation not more encouraged across a wide array of sports?

-Are portrayals of professional black athletes, centered on gaining luxury possessions and material wealth rather than giving back to the community, ensuring that a me-first mind-set carries over to the next generation of athletes?

-Will more blacks break through the glass ceiling in coaching and sports management positions to achieve strong decision-making roles?

-Can negative attitudes about race, held by segments inside and outside the black community, be overcome so that faster and enduring progress can be made in the future?

Powell's answers will surprise, anger, please, and—most of all—challenge you.

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