Review of "Race Across America:

This book was a little different than other running books I have read - mainly because of the endurance that these athletes had to have in order to complete a transcontinental journey.  Here is my review of "Race Across America." 

Title/Author:

“Race Across America: Eddie Gardner and the Great Bunion Derbie” by Charles B. Kastner

Rating: 

3 ½ of 5 stars (good)

Review:

It’s hard to imagine this today, but there was a time in the early 20^th century when athletes would compete in ultramarathons and other endurance running events with footwear such as working boots or shoes more fit for suits. One such event, that took place in 1928 and 1929, was a transcontinental run from Los Angeles to New York, commonly called the Bunion Derby. This book by Charles B. Kastner looks at one runner who entered both years, Eddie Gardner. 

Gardner was one of a handful of Black runners who ran the race and endured harsh racism when the race ran through southern states where Jim Crow laws were in effect, most notably Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.  Kastner does a good job of describing what Gardner and his fellow Black runners faced during that stretch of the run.  It should be noted that the organizers of the race did what they could and when they became aware of discrimination when it came to lodging and meals, they did step up and provide these items, but often it wasn’t enough to offset the emotional toll this would take.

The book also portrays Gardner well, especially when he would show off his “Shiek” outfit while running.  That was simply a towel around his head but his fans, especially those in the Black community, loved it.  It felt like Kastner was trying to elevate Gardner into the same level of importance to the legacy of Black athletes like Jack Johnson, Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali.  While certainly not in the same level of importance to the acceptance of the Black athlete, Gardner’s story is still one that should be told, finishing 8^th in the 1928 race and was a leading contender in 1929.

While this book told a story that needed to be told, the description of the races repetitive in nature by giving updates on who was in what place at the end of each day’s events.  This was the only part that I didn’t enjoy reading – which is a rarity for me with a sports book.  I usually love the description of the actual action, but in this case, the stories of the runners – Gardner, the Black runners and other contenders – were much better and made the book a good one overall.  

Link: Race across America: Eddie Gardner and the Great Bunion Derbies (Sports and Entertainment): Kastner, Charles B.: 9780815635772: Amazon.com: Books