The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball's Forgotten Era, by Claude Johnson (Hardcover)

(Author Custom-Inscribed First Edition Out-Of-Print Hardcover) A groundbreaking, timely history of the largely unknown early days of Black basketball, bringing to life the trailblazing players, teams, and impresarios who made the game. HARDCOVERPublication Date: May 24, 2022Imprint: Abrams PressTrim Size: 6" x 9"Weight: 28 oz. (0.79 kg.)ISBN: 978-1-4197-4436-5Page Count: 480Additional formats: eBookRights: World/All From the introduction of the game of basketball to Black communities on a wide scale in 1904 to the racial integration of the NBA in 1950, dozens of African-American teams were founded and flourished. This period, known as the Black Fives Era (teams at the time were often called “fives”), was a time of pioneering players and managers. They battled discrimination and marginalization and created culturally rich, socially meaningful events. But despite headline-making rivalries between big-city clubs, the savvy moves of innovative businessmen, and the undeniable talent of star