Scott Ellsworth has written about American history for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Formerly a historian at the Smithsonian Institution, he is the author of Death in a Promised Land, a groundbreaking account of the 1921 Tulsa race riot. He lives with his wife and twin sons in Ann Arbor, where he teaches at the University of Michigan
"[The Secret Game] should be read by anyone with an interest in
basketball history, or American sports history. Or maybe even
American history for that matter."--Bill Reynolds, Providence
Journal
"A compelling story about basketball, race and
transformation...."--D.G. Martin, Winston-Salem Journal
"A fascinating new work of cultural and sports history.... Through
a mixture of oral history and archival research, Ellsworth captures
the rich human details of a whole generation of largely forgotten
basketball players."--Nick Romeo, Boston Globe
"A historian with the soul of a poet, Ellsworth offers a remarkably
nuanced, vibrant, and eloquent account of life in the South during
WWII, and his portraits of the principal players in this secret
drama are multitextured and complex."--Wes Lukowsky, Booklist
(starred review)
"A powerful book that is a page-turner from start to finish....
Ellsworth has written an important book that should appeal to
people of all colors."--Bob D'Angelo, Tampa Tribune
"A riveting, little-known story reminding readers of a rising
generation of risk-takers who fought against Jim Crow laws and
ushered in the Civil Rights Movement."--Genesis Jackson, Duke
Today
"Amazing."--Robert Gray, Shelf Awareness
"As a member of the Duke community, I have long been aware and
proud of the secret game. Now Scott Ellsworth has brought it to
light. The true story behind this extraordinary, long-buried game
goes beyond any one school or any one state. The Secret Game is a
triumphant look at how basketball has broken down barriers, and
helped create a new kind of America. Every citizen needs to know
this story--and to know it now."--Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of
Duke Men's Basketball
"Beautifully paced, its eloquence cloaked within a common
touch."--Jeff Calder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Ellsworth chronicles a groundbreaking matchup....He weaves 50
years of story lines...[and] the takeaway is the unimaginable
bravery of both teams."--Lisa Sorg, Indy Week
"Ellsworth has unearthed a brave moment in basketball, forgotten to
history, which resonates far beyond the court."--Billy Heller, New
York Post
"Ellsworth skillfully puts this story in the context of World War
II, which forced this country to face -- albeit slowly -- its
unjust treatment of those who also spilled blood to protect
American democracy. He lets us know what happened to each of the
players after the secret game -- their lives and their triumph no
longer lost or forgotten."--Cliff Bellamy, The Herald Sun
"Ellsworth tells their story in the vein of Seabiscuit and The Boys
in the Boat.... He reminds us who heroes are and what they can
be."--Daniel Solzman, The Kentucky Democrat
"Engrossing..."--Chris Skaugset, The Daily News
"It would be difficult, if not impossible, for me to overstate my
admiration for Scott Ellsworth's magnificent The Secret Game. It's
a book about race, a book about the South, a book about America, a
book about the '40s, a book about change as well as how things
remain the same. This is one of the smartest and most eloquent
books I've come across in a long time. A masterpiece."--Steve
Yarbrough, author of The Realm of Last Chances
"Mesmerizing.... An elegant, deeply talented writer."--Jennifer
Conlin, frequent contributor to the New York Times
"Riveting."--Kevin Nance, Chicago Tribune
"Scott Ellsworth has unearthed the facts of this little-known but
hugely important moment. His research is as overwhelming as his
story-telling style is accessible and engaging. If you love
basketball, truly love the game and all that it means in terms of
this country and its civil rights history, you'll want to read and
reread The Secret Game."--Roland Lazenby, author of Michael Jordan:
The Life
"There is a basketball on the cover, but this is much more than a
story about basketball. Yes, there was a ground-breaking basketball
game played in Durham, N.C., seven decades ago, and it is recounted
in great detail by Scott Ellsworth. But what we really have here is
indispensable social history. White people need to read this book.
People of color need to read this book. Whoever you are, you need
to read this book."--Bob Ryan, Boston Globe, ESPN, author of
Scribe: My Life in Sports
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