Description
Book SynopsisIn the spring of 1968, the Omaha Central High School basketball team made history with its first all-black starting lineup. Their nickname, the Rhythm Boys, captured who they were and what they did on the court.
The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central tells a true story about high school basketball, black awakening and rebellion, and innocence lost in a watershed year.
Trade Review"Marantz presents an ultimately compelling snapshot of an era—and a city—in the throes of social upheaval."—
Kirkus"As a narrative of an American high school united by basketball and torn apart by the times, Marantz hits a nothing-but-net three-pointer."—Karl Helicher,
ForeWord"Through it all, this talented team reeled off a string of victories, in a way trying to will its way through the bubbling tensions and bring the community together as sports often do. Sometimes, life gets in the way."—Jerry Milani,
The Ultimate Fan"Marantz . . . paints an entirely credible picture of the times, placing that infamous Omaha week in the historical context of an infamous year." —Michael Kelly,
Omaha World-Herald"Marantz's narrative will touch readers far beyond Omaha."—Alan Moores,
Booklist“Four decades after George Wallace ignited a race riot in Omaha, Steve Marantz goes home to tell the story of a high school basketball team and its tragic star. A heartbreaking look inside the lives of white and black students fighting and falling in love as they grow up amid historic upheaval.”—Ian Thomsen, columnist and feature writer for
Sports Illustrated“
The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central isn’t just about a basketball team—it’s about life—and how ugly, often tragic, inspiring, and so wonderfully hopeful it can be . . . all at the same time. As a basketball fan, I was riveted by this story—and couldn’t help but think about the other ‘Rhythm Boys/Girls’ there have been throughout our country’s unique history—and about just how far we have come.”—Lisa Salters, ESPN
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The Rhythm Boys reminds us again how sports mirror society. It happened in Omaha in 1968, but it could be the story of any team in any city. What do you get when you mix the passion of basketball with the passion of race? You get a great book.”—Tom Shatel, sports columnist for the
Omaha World Herald"Despite the grim prognosis of the Rhythm Boys' community, Marantz presents a halcyon moment when these five extraordinary highschool athletes made anything seem possible at Omaha Central."—Amy Helene Forss,
Great Plains QuarterlyTable of ContentsForeword by Susie Buffett
Prologue
Chapter 1. First Bell
Chapter 2. Tears of a Clown Chapter 3. Summer of 67 Chapter 4. Just Their Imagination Chapter 5. So Glad They Made It Chapter 6. Get on Board Chapter 7. Jupiter Aligns Chapter 8. "A Mongrel Unit" Chapter 9. Wallace for President Chapter 10. Darkness, Darkness Chapter 11. The Broken Hearted Chapter 12. Last Bell Epilogue Postscript Acknowledgments Index
