Book Review: Kings and Pawns by Howard Bryant

Howard Bryant’s Kings and Pawns is one of those books that stays with you. I’ve read plenty on Jackie Robinson, but Bryant digs beneath the surface and strips away the polished version of his story. He shows how Robinson wasn’t just the first Black player in the majors but a man carrying enormous pressure, often isolated, and used in ways that history tends to gloss over.

The part that struck me most was Paul Robeson. He was a brilliant athlete, actor, and activist, yet his politics and his refusal to back down cost him everything – his career, his reputation, and even support from parts of the civil rights movement. Bryant brings Robeson back into focus, reminding us how powerful his voice was and how his fight connected directly to later figures like Muhammad Ali.

I also appreciated learning about Moses Fleetwood Walker, the real first Black player in major league baseball, which gave even more depth to the story of integration. Bryant ties all of these pieces together in a way that reframes history we thought we knew.

Bryant has always been one of the best at writing about race, sports, and politics, and this book belongs alongside Shut Out and The Heritage. It’s thoughtful, challenging, and important.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars, but close enough to 5 that I’ll round up)

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.