Port chicago mutiny book

In the port chicago 50, steve sheinkin tells the story of africanamerican sailors who were tried for mutiny in 1944. On july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago, california, killing more than 300 sailors who were at. A school library journal best book of the year 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 offduty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. African americans, california, explosions, history, port chicago mutiny. Buy a cheap copy of the port chicago mutiny book by robert l. The port chicago explosion and mutiny proved to be a pivotal point for the decision made within the navy to desegregate its ranks. This sent ripples of change through the segregated armed forces. Book on the disaster new attention has been drawn to the case by a book, the port chicago mutiny, written by dr. With michael jai white, duane martin, david ramsey, matthew glave. First published in 1989, the port chicago mutiny is a thorough and riveting work of civil rights literature, and with a new preface and epilogue by the author emphasize the events relevance today. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights finalist, national book awards 2014 for young peoples literature. Patriotism and a desire to help the war effort drove black men to enlist in the armed services, said robert allen, author of the definitive book about the disaster, the port chicago mutiny.

Jul 09, 2014 robert allen, retired adjunct professor of african american studies at uc berkeley and author of the port chicago mutiny, will moderate the symposium along with lawrence. Published in collaboration with the equal justice society. Most of the detail in this book deals with the significant events of the port chicago disaster which was a deadly munitions explosion that occurred on july 17, 1944, at the port chicago naval magazine in port chicago, california, united states. Bomb was a newbery honor book and the port chicago 50 won the boston globehorn book award for nonfiction. Allen is the author of the port chicago mutiny amistad 1993 and coeditor of brotherman 35,000 hc net, which won the american book award. Sheinkins compelling narrative, written from a social justice perspective, draws on the full transcripts of interviews done with members of. Navy who refused to return to loading ammunition after a disastrous explosion at port chicago, california on july 17, 1944 that destroyed the liberty ship ss e. During world war ii, port chicago was a segregated naval munitions base on the outer shores of san francisco bay. The port chicago 50 is the story of 50 africanamerican men accused of mutiny by the navy during world war ii. Port chicago disaster booksamillion online book store.

Littleknown disaster gets overdue, indepth treatment. Jul 26, 2007 the discussion about the disaster at port chicago continues with historian robert allen, author of the book the port chicago mutiny. The story of 50 african american sailors charged with mutiny during world war ii for challenging working conditions. Internet archive contributor internet archive language english an amistad book.

Prior to the civil rights movement, these men pioneered the desegregation of the military, demanding safe working conditions for africanamerican soldiers. On august 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. 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 offduty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. An astonishing civil rights story from newbery honor winner and national book award finalist steve sheinkin. Factbased story about 300 predominantly black sailors who were killed on july 17, 1944 while loading munitions on a ship in san francisco. Robert allen, retired adjunct professor of african american studies at uc berkeley and author of the port chicago mutiny, will moderate the symposium along with lawrence. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution. Allen put in years of research and wrote a book to bring this event, and the people involved, the quote history is written by the victors is attributed to winston churchill. Steve sheinkin is the awardwinning author of fastpaced, cinematic nonfiction histories for young readers.

Sheinkins history opens, however, with the story of dorie miller, a black mess attendant stationed at. Port chicago mutiny 55 years ago, near san francisco bay, a group of africanamerican sailors were loading warships with ammunition at the port chicago depot. More than 200 untrained men then refused to unload. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights by steve sheinkin, roaring brook, january 2014, 208p. Sailors and dock workers were pressured by time and their superiors and were also using unsafe. The port chicago disaster was a deadly munitions explosion that occurred on july 17, 1944, at the port chicago naval magazine in port chicago, california, united states. Steve sheinkin is the awardwinning author of fastpaced, cinematic histories for young readers. Navy, participation of african americans in world war ii 19391945, port chicago mutiny, port chicago, california, 1944, port chicago mutiny trial, san francisco, california, 1944, african american sailors, civil rights, twentiethcentury u. Steve sheinkin offers a mesmerizing account of individuals and events surrounding the trial of the men who became known as the port chicago 50, revealing the impact of racism and segregation within the military at that time. The port chicago mutiny was a crucible for the united states military. Steve sheinkin reads from the port chicago 50 at 2014 nba. When they refused, fifty men were singled out and chargedand convictedof mutiny. The port chicago 50 is a fascinating story of the prejudice and injustice that faced black.

On july 17, 1944, at the port chicago naval magazine 30 miles northeast of san francisco, an explosionthe largest manmade explosion in history to that pointkilled more than 300 men, leading to the largest mass trial in united states history. The port chicago 50, by steve sheinkin the new york times. While steve sheinkin was researching his last book, bomb. The blast killed 320, destroyed two cargo vessels, and leveled the nearby naval base.

Significance of port chicagos impact on american, military. Port chicago naval magazine explosion on 17 july 1944. Guggenheim fellowship 1977 american book award 1995, with herb boyd for brotherman. Munitions detonated while being loaded onto a cargo vessel bound for the pacific theater of operations, killing 320 sailors and civilians and injuring 390 others. On july 26, 1944, at port chicago, california, an explosion killed 320 men, 202 of whom were black. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights, historian steve sheinkin traces the story of the port chicago 50, a group of africanamerican sailors charged with mutiny for disobeying orders during world war ii. The discussion about the disaster at port chicago continues with historian robert allen, author of the book the port chicago mutiny. The port chicago mutiny was an incredibly important event in the history of the united states, the us navy, and in racial relations. Isbn 9781596437968 roaring brook press macmillan publishers.

Investigative journalist robert allen offers a gripping expose of the worst u. Allen put in years of research and wrote a book to bring this event, and the people involved, the quote history is written. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights roaring brook press macmillan publishers was held on tuesday, november 18 at 7. The port chicago 50 tells the story of african americans who signed up for the navy. The tragedy was followed by a work stoppage and a controversial mutiny trial. This whole story got me so worked up when i read your book.

A haunting if sometimes discursive reprise of a sorry chapter in the history of the us navy. I wanted to leap through the pages and wring some necks sarah sundin oct. Black seamen were required to load ammunition onto. Consider purchasing both the print and audiobook versions. First published in 1989, the port chicago mutiny is a thorough and riveting work of civil rights literature, and with a new preface and epilogue by the author emphasize the event\s relevance today. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights by steve sheinkin. Jaime and i didnt even include a bunch of the stuff i. The port chicago disaster was a deadly munitions explosion that occurred on july 17, 1944. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights roaring brook press macmillan publishers was held on tuesday, november 18. This is a fascinating story of the prejudice that faced black men and women in americas armed forces during world war ii, and a nuanced look at those who gave their lives in. National book foundation books the port chicago 50. Robert l allen history of the disastrous explosion at a world war ii navy dock north of oakland, california that killed hundreds of people, many of them africanamerican dock workers. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights was a finalist for the 2014 national book award in young peoples literature.

Political and public pressure resulted in the mens release after fifteen months, but the mutiny convictions were never overturned. Among those lost were 202 black sailors working as stevedores in segregated labor battalions under the command. Unfortunately, until i read this book, i had never heard of it. The port chicago mutiny by allen, robert l 3 editions. In 1994 the port chicago naval magazine national memorial was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the disaster.

The port chicago 50 npr coverage of the port chicago 50. Disaster, mutiny and the fight for civil rights during wwii. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights in world war ii. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the port chicago 50. Jul 22, 2019 in the worst home front disaster of world war ii, an explosion at the naval magazine in port chicago, california on july 17, 1944 killed 320 men, of whom 202 were black.

Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights ebook written by steve sheinkin. Allen is an adjunct professor of african american studies and ethnic studies at the university of california, berkeley. In the segregated military during world war ii, black sailors were responsible for. Naval history heyday books, 1989, republished 2006. The port chicago 50 is a fascinating story of the prejudice and injustice that faced black men and women in americas 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. Courtmartialed and found guilty of mutiny, they were sentenced to 15 years hard labor in prison. Exoneration sought in mutiny of 44 the new york times.

Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights by steve sheinkin middle school roaring brook 190 pp. An astonishing civil rights story from newbery honor winner and multipletime national book award finalist steve sheinkin. The two key books on this event are the port chicago mutiny. 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 offduty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile. A deadly munitions explosion occurred on july 17, 1944, at the port chicago naval. Port chicago disaster please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online.

Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights by steve sheinkin is at the top of many nonfiction awards lists for 2014. Sheinkins history opens, however, with the story of dorie miller, a black mess attendant stationed at pearl harbor when the japanese attack in 1942. Allen, a medical sociologist, and published by warner books. Jan 21, 2014 the port chicago 50 is the story of 50 africanamerican men accused of mutiny by the navy during world war ii. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights steve sheinkin. Allen is a professor of african american and ethnic studies at the university of california at berkeley and is an editor of the black scholar.

On july 17, 1944, a tremendous explosion wracked port chicago, an ammunition depot near san francisco bay. Chicago turabian author date citation style guide sheinkin, steve. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights, by steve sheinkin the washington post. He is a threetime national book award finalist and twotime winner of the yalsa award for excellence in nonfiction. Parents need to know that the port chicago 50 by steve sheinkin, author of bomb and lincolns grave robbers, deals directly with the history of segregation in america and demonstrates how africanamericans were separated from good jobs, housing, and other opportunities. More than a mutiny trial, the incident raises questions about the powers of the military, about the prosecution of civil disobedience, and about the rights of the individual. Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights, was a national book award finalist and received the 2014 boston globehorn book award for nonfiction. Naval history and, for young adults, the port chicago 50.