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I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson

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The bestselling autobiography of American baseball and civil rights legend Jackie RobinsonBefore 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.I Never Had It Made endures as an inspiring story of a man whose heroism extended well beyond the playing field. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ecco; Edition Unstated (May 6, 2003)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060555971


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 79


Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1130L


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #39,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Baseball Biographies (Books) #70 in Baseball (Books) #140 in Black & African American Biographies


#26 in Baseball Biographies (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • FASCINATING BOK ABOUT JACKIE R. WHO WAS MUCH,MUCH MORE THAN JUST A BALLPLAYER
This is obviously about Jackie Robinson's life and his baseball career, but it is also about some American history and what it was like back in the 40s, 50s, 60s for black ballplayers and ballplayers of any color. He also goes into his family dynamics and devotes several chapters to his experiences in politics, his views on race relations, civil rights, and some other topics. Fascinating read. What a deal too, I got this used from Amazon for $6.23 (cover price $24), hardcover, originally from Bellmore Memorial Library on Long Island. It is in like new condition. Can't beat it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2025 by DEC73
    • Highly Recommended
There have been a number of instances in which I have found autobiographies to come across as rather disjointed, varying in tone by page and by chapter, particularly when it comes to those co-authored by individuals who are not themselves subjects of the stories within. To what extent this is the result of editorializing or revisionism on the part of either subject or co-author, I never know for certain. With "I Never Had It Made," I felt that, while I could not personally discern any significant difference between the flesh and blood individual and the form apparent in the written word from any first- or second-hand experience (being born 15 years after his passing and all), I suspected this to be a natural extension of Jackie Robinson's persona. As a ballplayer, Jackie endured countless threats, taunts, and much worse, for the sake of Branch Rickey's "noble experiment." As a man, Jackie is incredible effusive when it comes to his on-the-field achievements as member of a World Series-winning Brooklyn Dodgers team and well-deserving inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame. If you are looking for the story of Jackie Robinson's life, i.e. the chronology of events from birth to baseball, success and fame, to activist and icon status, well, this is probably not that book. What is perhaps most striking, in my opinion, is the manner in which the tone shifts repeatedly from Jackie's humble perspective as a son/husband/father/soldier/ballplayer/businessman/activist, deflecting praise for achievements that seem to have come about as a natural extension of his determination and effort to prove himself worthy in seemingly every personal endeavor, to his stream-of-consciousness sort of reflections on the choices (and admitted mistakes) he made, often against the will of the pigheaded masses, or those closest to him. What comes through most in this book is evidently Jackie's voice. While Jackie does not sugar-coat things, he does not tend to dwell on past transgressions against him. While he does not proclaim justice to have been faithfully served in his lifetime, nor wildly optimistic sentiments about the likelihood that it shall have come to be upheld in his children's, he consistently emphasizes the beliefs and values that have guided him throughout a life that, although extraordinary in its accomplishments, is remarkably ordinary in its narrative of struggle and overcoming of one's obstacles. That is not to detract from the transcendent stature of Jackie Robinson's legacy, which he earned in spite of 'never having it made.' Rather, in much the same way he enlightens readers to the differences of opinion he had with the likes of Dr. King and Malcolm X, or common ground he shared with Nixon and Rockefeller, Jackie does not shy away from contradiction, and embodies the message of Matthew 5:14 ("You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.") that has so frequently been misappropriated by politicians and evangelists. If Jackie Robinson is to be considered a shining example of American ideals (and I firmly believe that he is), a flawed but beautiful fusion of both conservative and liberal values that seems particularly poignant these days, then I believe that this book should be as widely shared and read as humanly possible. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2016 by Tom
    • Very good autobiography
Rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars (excellent) Review: Jackie Robinson is one of the few athletes whose importance and popularity transcended sports. "I Never Had It Made" is an excellent autobiography on his life, his outspoken views on the state of civil rights for black people during his life and oh, yes, a little bit about his baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers as well. Most people know of his accomplishments on the baseball field and what he had to endure during his early years with the Dodgers, even those who are not sports fans. However, it might not be known to most readers that Robinson was also active in politics for the Republican Party. Given the history of the relationship between civil rights leaders and the GOP, that might come as a surprise, but Robinson does a good job of explaining why he did so and what the eventual outcome would be. Robinson pulls no punches in this book. Whether it is about race relations in society, the military or baseball, or his relationships with first Branch Rickey and then Walter O'Malley, or the tender passages written about his wife Rachel and their three children, the reader will know without a doubt how Robinson feels about that topic. By writing his true feelings and not sugar-coating it or making it more palatable for those who might not be comfortable with such frankness, I thought that every subject he wrote about was told in a much better way. The reader learns about the topic, gets Robinson's perspective, and can then make up his or her own mind. The baseball sections of the book are very good as well. There isn't much description of on-field action or statistical analysis, however. This is written from a player's point of view and the views expressed are just as much about the business and the social life on the field as well as hits and runs. It was just enough to satiate the sports fan in me, but because this book is so much more than just a sports book, it should be read with the objective of learning about other topics as well. This book certainly will teach the reader a lot about that era in American history and a lot about Jackie Robinson, the man. "I Never Had It Made" is an excellent book that many readers should pick up and enjoy. Did I skim? No. Did I learn something new? Yes, a lot. Because Robinson recounted so many of his experiences in great detail, I learned so much about his convictions on race relations and civil rights. I did have a casual understanding of his off-field life and activities, but I did not realize how involved he was with the civil rights movement and politics. Pace of the book: Fairly slow, but in a good way. For a reader like me who wanted to learn so much more about the man, it was helpful to read the book slowly. Positives: There were so many in this book that it would be hard to list them all. However, I believe they can all be covered by just stating that was a very outspoken man and this book reflects that trait. Negatives: While this isn't a negative for me, some readers might not be comfortable reading about Robinson's candor on the controversial issues of his day. There were two notable problems in the editing of the e-book version. One was that a period was inserted prior to each use of the word "other." The .other (intended to show that edit) was that when the World Series was discussed, the phrase was not capitalized as it is elsewhere. Do I recommend? Yes. Going well beyond sports and baseball, this book is a good source of information on issues concerning race relations and some events of the turbulent 1960's. Whether the reader likes baseball, politics, history or biographies, this book is an excellent read for anybody who enjoys these topics. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2013 by LSmith
    • It's always good to know history.
Very good read and lessons to learn regarding black history
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024 by TamRock
    • Jackie Robinson wrote an absorbing book on disrespect he bore in his life and the honors he earned.
The book features an intelligent, talented, and driven man, supported by his equally intelligent wife Rachel who became a registered nurse and professor at Yale University. I chose to read Robinson's book because I love baseball. He crisply describes the pressures and taunts of being the first black man to play in major league baseball and the pride he took earning a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also spent his adult life in supporting black communities, schools, and organizations that enriched African American's lives. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024 by Anne Tucker

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