The Port Chicago 50, Steve Sheinkin
The Port Chicago 50, Steve Sheinkin
4 Rating(s)
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The Port Chicago 50
Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

Author: Steve Sheinkin

Narrator: Dominic Hoffman

Unabridged: 3 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/21/2014


Synopsis

An astonishing civil rights story from Newbery Honor winner and National Book Award finalist Steve Sheinkin.

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago, California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. On August 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution. This is a fascinating story of the prejudice that faced black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II, and a nuanced look at those who gave their lives in service of a country where they lacked the most basic rights.

About The Author

Steve Sheinkin is the award-winning author of several exciting books on American history for young adults. His 2012 title BOMB: THE RACE TO BUILD AND STEAL THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON, was awarded a Newbery Honor, won the Sibert Medal, the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His book THE NOTORIOUS BENEDICT ARNOLD won both the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for nonfiction. His most recent titles are LINCOLN'S GRAVE ROBBERS, a true-crime thriller, and EL ILUMINADO, a graphic novel written with Ilan Stavans. Steve lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Tony on February 16, 2014

Excellent book. My first thoughts when I finished The Port Chicago 50 were: 1) Wow. 2) Why hadn't I heard this story before? 3) Can't wait to share this book. 4) I am glad Steve Sheinkin likes to write books.......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on October 30, 2017

I was lucky enough to hear Steve Sheinkin speak at the CLCSC Fall Gala, and of all the interesting things he brought up, this story really stood out to me. Little known fact to anyone other than my close readers friends, I am a children's librarian. And my undergraduate degree was in history. Sheink......more

Goodreads review by Penny on December 08, 2014

Here's the importance of this book: I grew up literally in the shadow of Port Chicago. The edge of the base was on the other side of the fence from my high school. And I NEVER heard about the Port Chicago 50 until I read an ARC of this book. You would think at least in my junior Social Studies class......more

Goodreads review by Renata on November 29, 2014

This is a great work of nonfiction and an infuriating story--especially since I listened to it in the wake of the Ferguson decision. The story of these brave black sailors and the conditions they went through just ARGHHHH so inpsiring/annoying!! America!! what the hell!! what the hell!! Anyway the au......more

Goodreads review by Edie on July 03, 2013

We all loved Bomb and this book is equally compelling and in this case, convincing. It is a story that has not been previously told to this audience and I think it will make them outraged at the abuses taken by African American men who joined the Navy only to be treated as even less than second clas......more