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.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
Overlooked but fascinating bit of history, excellently told
By Maggie Knapp
I had never heard of the explosion at Port Chicago (which I now know is in California.) I knew there had been all-black regiments in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, and I know about the Tuskegee airmen in World War II. From this book I learned about a incident in the segregated Navy during World War II. Young, newly recruited black soldiers were tasked with loading munitions onto to ships, with little training or safety measures. They worked hard, occasionally complained about the rough conditions, but overall behaved like all the other dedicated recruits on the base. Unfortunately, there was a huge explosion, killing over 300 people. The cause was never established, but most likely it was due to mishandling the dangerous cargo.The surviving men were reassigned but they found their new job again involved loading munitions. They refused (whether it was stated as “would prefer not to” or “we won’t” has never been established). Under threat of charges of mutiny, some of the men returned to work, but 50 men declined to follow the order, and were, indeed, brought up on charges. Sheinkin does an excellent job of laying out the facts of the case, occasionally skirting some four-letter testimony by using asterisks, as the men protested they were not unwilling to work – they just didn’t want it to be only black men, and under unsafe conditions. The book also addresses the larger context of segregation in the military. Sheinkin’s book has a very personal feeling, as he uses interviews with some of the survivors, along with court room testimony and other documentation to tell the story.Sixth graders up through high school and adult readers will appreciate a story that shows courage and leadership and resisting authority when authority might need to be resisted. There are fascinating B&W photos every 10 pages or so, but overall the story has the look and feel of a novel. As a librarian, I appreciate the author’s attention to detail, and his excellent documentation.About me: I’m a middle school/high school librarianHow I got this book: purchased for the library
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.A story that needed telling
By Kamirah Demouchet
In my many history classes including African American studies in college, I had never heard of this tragic event that definitely was a pivotal event to end segregation. Everyone knows the story of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat, but how many people know of Joe Small. I hope this book gains enough recognition that the Navy finally does the right thing by these 50 men.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.Is your Sheinkin fan ready for this?
By Elbert D. Porter
First, Sheinkin struck our funny bones with the likes of King George: What Was His Problem? and Two Miserable Presidents. He relied less on humor and more on drama and moral ambiguity in The Notorious Benedict Arnold and Bomb. His tone shifts once again in The Port Chicago 50. The subject is too serious and too close to home for lightheartedness. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. The heroes of this tale never got what they deserved. Rather the opposite, in fact. It's a sad and disturbing tale. Writing this is a gutsy move on Sheinkin's part, and he brings his maturing talents to bear on it with skill and sensitivity.
