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The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World
Nominated for an NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Literary Work Autobiography/Biography
Seen around the world, John Carlos and Tommie Smith’s Black Power salute on the 1968 Olympic podium sparked controversy and career fallout. Yet their show of defiance remains one of the most iconic images of Olympic history and the Black Power movement. Here is the remarkable story of one of the men behind the salute, lifelong activist John Carlos.
John Carlos is an African American former track and field athlete, professional football player, and a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. He won the bronze medal in the 200 meters race at the 1968 Olympics, where his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy. The John Carlos Story is his first book.
Dave Zirin is the author of four books, including Bad Sports, A People's History of Sports in the United States, and What's My Name, Fool? He writes the popular weekly online sports column "The Edge of Sports" and is a regular contributor to SportsIllustrated.com, SLAM, Los Angeles Times, and The Nation, where he is the publication's first sports editor.
Seen around the world, John Carlos and Tommie Smith’s Black Power salute on the 1968 Olympic podium sparked controversy and career fallout. Yet their show of defiance remains one of the most iconic images of Olympic history and the Black Power movement. Here is the remarkable story of one of the men behind the salute, lifelong activist John Carlos.
John Carlos is an African American former track and field athlete, professional football player, and a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. He won the bronze medal in the 200 meters race at the 1968 Olympics, where his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy. The John Carlos Story is his first book.
Dave Zirin is the author of four books, including Bad Sports, A People's History of Sports in the United States, and What's My Name, Fool? He writes the popular weekly online sports column "The Edge of Sports" and is a regular contributor to SportsIllustrated.com, SLAM, Los Angeles Times, and The Nation, where he is the publication's first sports editor.
220 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
38 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
John Carlos
102 books5 followersDr. John Carlos is an African American former track and field athlete and professional football player, and a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. He won the bronze-medal in the 200 meters race at the 1968 Summer Olympics, where his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy. He went on to equal the world record in the 100 yard dash and beat the 200 meters world record. After his track career, he enjoyed brief stints in the National Football League and Canadian Football League but retired due to injury. He became involved with the United States Olympic Committee and helped to organize the 1984 Summer Olympics. He later became a track coach at a high school in Palm Springs, where he now resides. He was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 30, 2022
Overall this is a very good book. I don’t understand why the author John Carlos had the reactions that he did back in the Mexico Olympics. I was young then and didn’t really understand the issues but now that I’ve got a full head of gray hair, I understand in how his complaints were correct, especially on how he was treated.
I marked it down because he sort of went off the air rails at the end and I have very strong disagreements with these pages, few they may be.
I marked it down because he sort of went off the air rails at the end and I have very strong disagreements with these pages, few they may be.
March 20, 2015
I was in the army stationed in Heidelberg Germany in October 1968 when Tommie Smith, Peter Norman and John Carlos were given their metals for the 200 meter race in Mexico City so I did not know much about the raised fists protest. I have visited the statue at San Jose State and it does convey a strong image. This book is the story of John Carlos' life and there is no question that what he, Tommie Smith and Peter Norman did took a lot of courage and they paid a high price for the rest of their lives.
The book is an easy read and it was interesting. The book paints John Carlos in a very favorable light and it glosses over his shortcomings, his wife committed suicide for Christ's sake. John Carlos deserves a lot of credit for addressing the status of black athletes in 1968. Time has healed many of the wounds however as we all know, it is a battle that is still being waged.
One of the interesting aspects of the story. Peter Norman from Australia finished second in the 200 meter and as a sign of support to the cause, he wore a patch on his jacket that supported the boycott of the 1968 Olympics by the black athletes. While Peter did not give the raised arm salute he was essentially ostracized by the Australian Olympic committee. He is probably the greatest sprinter ever from Australia. He never raced in an Olympic event again and was not even allowed to participate in the 2000 Olympics when they were held in Sydney. He probably paid as great a price for his actions as either Smith or Carlos.
I have always found it interesting that Peter Norman is not included in the statue on the San Jose State campus. The pedestal where he stood is empty. The artist explains that the reason for this is to allow visitors to stand in his place and demonstrate their support of Carlos and Smith. I always thought that it would be more unifying to include Norman, a white sprinter, in the sculpture. Have a fourth pedestal next to the three for any visitor to stand.
The book is an easy read and it was interesting. The book paints John Carlos in a very favorable light and it glosses over his shortcomings, his wife committed suicide for Christ's sake. John Carlos deserves a lot of credit for addressing the status of black athletes in 1968. Time has healed many of the wounds however as we all know, it is a battle that is still being waged.
One of the interesting aspects of the story. Peter Norman from Australia finished second in the 200 meter and as a sign of support to the cause, he wore a patch on his jacket that supported the boycott of the 1968 Olympics by the black athletes. While Peter did not give the raised arm salute he was essentially ostracized by the Australian Olympic committee. He is probably the greatest sprinter ever from Australia. He never raced in an Olympic event again and was not even allowed to participate in the 2000 Olympics when they were held in Sydney. He probably paid as great a price for his actions as either Smith or Carlos.
I have always found it interesting that Peter Norman is not included in the statue on the San Jose State campus. The pedestal where he stood is empty. The artist explains that the reason for this is to allow visitors to stand in his place and demonstrate their support of Carlos and Smith. I always thought that it would be more unifying to include Norman, a white sprinter, in the sculpture. Have a fourth pedestal next to the three for any visitor to stand.
June 4, 2018
4,25/5
February 4, 2018
Written in a conversational style that is meant to capture John Carlos’s voice, this is a worthwhile read for people interested in the civil rights movement’s intersection with sports. Carlos tells the story of how he grew up in Harlem with a supportive family that gave him the confidence to stand up for what he thought was worth standing up for.
The lead up to the 1968 Olympics and Carlos’s involvement in the Olympic Project for Human Rights is the focus of much of the book, as are the events of the Games and the moment on the medal stand that would heavily influence the direction of the rest of his life. I would have liked to have learned more about the specifics of what came in the years after. These years are covered, but in much less detail than the months leading up to the Games. The lead up has been so well documented elsewhere that for those already familiar with the story, a more intimate look at the less public details would add to the richness of the telling.
Having an informal and candid voice makes this a potentially great choice for adolescent readers who would like to learn more about the man in the iconic photograph, and how he got there.
The story is as relevant as ever, unfortunately, as the story continues to repeat itself in subsequent generations who feel they must take a stand on the platform they have attained, even if it risks everything they have worked so hard for.
The lead up to the 1968 Olympics and Carlos’s involvement in the Olympic Project for Human Rights is the focus of much of the book, as are the events of the Games and the moment on the medal stand that would heavily influence the direction of the rest of his life. I would have liked to have learned more about the specifics of what came in the years after. These years are covered, but in much less detail than the months leading up to the Games. The lead up has been so well documented elsewhere that for those already familiar with the story, a more intimate look at the less public details would add to the richness of the telling.
Having an informal and candid voice makes this a potentially great choice for adolescent readers who would like to learn more about the man in the iconic photograph, and how he got there.
The story is as relevant as ever, unfortunately, as the story continues to repeat itself in subsequent generations who feel they must take a stand on the platform they have attained, even if it risks everything they have worked so hard for.
May 5, 2017
I'm glad I read this book, and I want to give it more stars because the story it tells is important. Kaepernick is not sui generis, and this book does an good job of painting the landscape of political resistance among black athletes in the 20th and early 21st Centuries. It's also got some fascinating stories from Carlos's early experiences with resistance and protest (those trees!) and with luminaries of the civil rights movement. That said, too much of it seemed to be trying to explain, excuse, or respond to various criticisms (implicit or explicit). John Carlos is, of course, human, but given that he wrote it with Dave Zirin, I expected a book that stood on its own rather than in response to other commentary. Carlos explains why he decided to "let" Tommie Smith win gold, why his wife's suspicions of infidelity were "paranoid," how various public figures screwed him over, why his arm was bent in the legendary picture (to fend of would-be attackers)... even the turf in Baltimore becomes an antagonist. The action seems to break down in to two categories: moments when Carlos was bold, visionary, and standing for his ideals and moments when things happened *to* him. It may all be fairly represented, but the aggregate makes for a book that often sounds more like a defense or an excuse than a manifesto.
May 2, 2018
Brutal i amena autobiografia per conèixer la història darrera el gest de la dignitat.
Aquí en podeu llegir la ressenya sencera:
http://especulacionsapeudepagina.blog...
Aquí en podeu llegir la ressenya sencera:
http://especulacionsapeudepagina.blog...
November 2, 2020
Wonderful book. Short read, inspiring, heart felt, and passionate. You can hear him speak while reading this. The struggles, the sorrow, the committment, are all real.
I wish this was taught in history class. I now want to read more about Peter Norman and Tommie Lee. All three are heroes.
I wish this was taught in history class. I now want to read more about Peter Norman and Tommie Lee. All three are heroes.
February 29, 2024
Non serve un' agiografia della lotta
May 1, 2021
Man, what a guy and what a story. I remember seeing the John Carlos and Tommie Smith Olympic medal stand picture in my history textbooks growing up, but this deep dive with his autobiography offers so much backstory on his involvement in the civil rights movement and the backlash he had to endure for what's now remembered as one of the biggest public statements for human rights in the 1960s. He also really drove home the double standard of being expected to represent your country on a global level as an athlete in the Olympics but stay quiet about injustices in that country.
"I remember when we started to make noise about the boycott, a rising snarl started to rise from people who said "You should be happy that we allowed you to go represent America in the Olympic games." I would always think to myself, "Happy? Happy to not be able to feed our families? Happy to live in ghettos with more drugs than hope? Happy to graduate as a people from slavery to athletics and second-class citizenship? Walk in my shoes and see if you smile."
"I remember when we started to make noise about the boycott, a rising snarl started to rise from people who said "You should be happy that we allowed you to go represent America in the Olympic games." I would always think to myself, "Happy? Happy to not be able to feed our families? Happy to live in ghettos with more drugs than hope? Happy to graduate as a people from slavery to athletics and second-class citizenship? Walk in my shoes and see if you smile."
April 30, 2018
This has to be one of the most under appreciated sports stories in history. It takes a very courageous individual to risk everything “standing up” for what they are truly convicted about; knowing full well that it’s going to cost them financially, socially, etc. (and God forbid their family and/or loved ones) and still do it. Well, that’s just what John Carlos (Tommie Smith and others) did. This has been one the most important books I’ve read in a long time. It is very well written. I highly recommend it!
February 28, 2021
I bought this book for my son's babysitter, who is a very successful collegiate sprinter, and interested in the BLM movement. Out of curiosity, I also read it myself.
The man for whom I bought the book is probably more the intended audience than I am, but I must say I enjoyed the fresh and candid writing style. The first half of the book is much stronger than the second half, for whatever reason. There is definitely a vibrancy to his anecdotes of growing up in Harlem. He shows an early sense of justice, and an urgency to right wrongs, standing up in court to landlords and redistributing food to his neighbors. His firsthand accounts of meeting the Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr., and Malcolm X were fascinating. He tells stories I've never heard before (did you know MLK was hilariously funny?). He also raises some important points about the way the NCAA exploits athletes - points that are only now beginning to be addressed.
Clearly, John Carlos has always been ahead of his time. He noted that the 1968 protests felt like the beginning of something - like they had momentum on their side. In actuality, society became more conservative following that. Maybe we're just now starting to recapture that spirit.
I have to say, I was uncomfortable a few times. I don't think any Olympic caliber athlete "lets" someone else win gold (and getting bronze is, in itself, no small accomplishment - I don't understand why he needed to imply that he could've won if he wanted to). His wife died by suicide, and he had a falling out with his fellow 1968 protester Tommie Smith which is never explained. He seemed defensive for much of the second half of the book, and also seemed to minimize some of these issues. Had he engaged with them, it's likely I would have continued to find him a sympathetic character. Readers instinctively understand that people and events are complex and multi-faceted. I think he should have gone there, but it's his story to tell.
The man for whom I bought the book is probably more the intended audience than I am, but I must say I enjoyed the fresh and candid writing style. The first half of the book is much stronger than the second half, for whatever reason. There is definitely a vibrancy to his anecdotes of growing up in Harlem. He shows an early sense of justice, and an urgency to right wrongs, standing up in court to landlords and redistributing food to his neighbors. His firsthand accounts of meeting the Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr., and Malcolm X were fascinating. He tells stories I've never heard before (did you know MLK was hilariously funny?). He also raises some important points about the way the NCAA exploits athletes - points that are only now beginning to be addressed.
Clearly, John Carlos has always been ahead of his time. He noted that the 1968 protests felt like the beginning of something - like they had momentum on their side. In actuality, society became more conservative following that. Maybe we're just now starting to recapture that spirit.
I have to say, I was uncomfortable a few times. I don't think any Olympic caliber athlete "lets" someone else win gold (and getting bronze is, in itself, no small accomplishment - I don't understand why he needed to imply that he could've won if he wanted to). His wife died by suicide, and he had a falling out with his fellow 1968 protester Tommie Smith which is never explained. He seemed defensive for much of the second half of the book, and also seemed to minimize some of these issues. Had he engaged with them, it's likely I would have continued to find him a sympathetic character. Readers instinctively understand that people and events are complex and multi-faceted. I think he should have gone there, but it's his story to tell.
January 28, 2022
This was an easy and enjoyable read. Stories like this remind us that the glossed over version of history we are often taught is just that, glossed over. Tommie Smith and John Carlos are remembered as heroes today but when they rose their fists in 1968 they were regarded as villains. They suffered immense hardship at the hands of organizations and individuals still in power today. Reading about who John Carlos was before he even thought to set foot on a track was the most enjoyable part of this book. First and foremost he was a man who fought for justice fearlessly. More important than medals was his desire to create a world where those he loved were given a fair chance at life. Tommie Smith and John Carlos put themselves and their families in danger to stand up for what they believed in. Without a second thought they made the decision that it was more important to be part of forging a better future for their people than to reap personal gains. This is a decision each one of us faces every day, may we all aspire to the courage and clarity of John Carlos.
August 1, 2019
This book intrigued me as a history teacher because I didn’t know the full story or all of the meaning behind the symbols he chose. I liked how he interjected humor while telling his story. I also found it inspiring that he never gave up or backed down to apologize for taking a strong stance against injustice and the Olympics. He was dirt poor a lot but said he wasn’t afraid of hard work and he did what it took to get by. Some of the events surrounding his life where mind boggling some sad and some like his natural talent were impressive. I’m curious what my high school students will think of the book when we discuss.
February 16, 2018
I found this book to be so enlightening , I never knew Dr. John Carlos had written this book I will share it with friends and family I always knew about the protest image but not the true story behind it. Just like a lot of history it gets buried by the powers of this country I just happen to be flipping channels and came across an interview Dr. John Carlos and the interviewer were talking about his book. Dr. John Carlos thank you for standing up for humanity and justice People like you will continue to RISE and sacrifice themselves for just cause in humanity. The fight continues
April 26, 2018
An interesting story about the life of famous Olympic athlete and civil rights activist John Carlos. Background is provided on what motivated Carlos and his team mate to make the controversial silent protest during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. It includes the sacrifices and boycotts that impacted him as the result of his actions. There are also inspiring stories about those few other athletes who supported them, including the Australian runner who competed against him and one a silver medal.
March 26, 2024
John Carlos rocked the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games by raising his fist in protest during his medal ceremony. His strength and courage is only surpassed by the tragic response, which made him a pariah for a generation. He struggled to find work beyond even menial jobs. He paid a heavy price for his choice, but I believe history will remember him as a hero. As for the book, the author's anger is palpable but balanced with self-reflection and growth.
February 28, 2018
I watched this event unfold on tv and was so proud of my black brothers. Never knew what they went through after their stand. It's a shame that we are right back where we started from with a person making a stand (Colin Kaepernick) and him losing his career. From 1968 to 2018 (Shaking my head) Keep on fighting the fight my people.
January 12, 2019
While not a writing style that appealed to me, a history worth knowing. Some things in our society have changed for the better with regard to racism in the past 50 years, but we have a long way to go, as demonstrated by ongoing differences in respect shown to Black sports heroes off the field vs on the field.
August 18, 2023
Definitely an interesting story, especially in terms of the buildup to the ‘68 Olympics and the immediate aftermath. Some wild stories from John Carlos’ life too and sad to learn how him and Tommie Smith were treated post Olympics. Nothing super profound to gain from the book but a good read nonetheless
June 24, 2020
An engaging read about one of the men behind an iconic moment in Olympic history. This autobiography charts the path to that medal stand in Mexico City in 1968 and the turbulent years that followed. It is particularly pertinent in our current troubled times.
January 23, 2017
Good story
The writing felt as if it was a candid conversation with Mr. Carlos. There was a lot of repetition, but a solid story of his life.
The writing felt as if it was a candid conversation with Mr. Carlos. There was a lot of repetition, but a solid story of his life.
April 13, 2020
Enjoyed learning more about Dr. Carlos. Olympic athletes are amazing. The Olympics are ugly.
Stay spicy.
Stay spicy.
October 27, 2020
A good book with a lot of background that I was not aware of. Most people know the story of the 1968 Olympics but this goes into much more detail. Good to read
December 4, 2021
Història que enganxa i que et fa veure que darrere el mite hi ha una vida plena de lluita. Directa i molt viva la forma d'escriure que t'atrapa. Sens dubte bon llibre per trencar el bloqueig lector
September 13, 2025
Great insight into an important political protest by an important man.
September 16, 2025
An important moment in sports history that made a difference told form the inside.
March 2, 2021
My all time favourite autobiography and one that I would recommend to everyone. You could not read this book without feeling moved or educated in some way. Highly recommend, I could not put it down!
April 8, 2021
el vaig llegir pel #blackhistoryjuly. m'agraden moltíssim les biografies i les autobiografies, he d'advertir! potser a altres persones no els ha semblat per a tant este text, però jo crec que vaig donar amb ell en el moment adequat. crec que és molt útil si alguna vegada volem explicar per què a l'esport també hi ha política en diverses formes (la jerarquia de les direccions dels equips, els interessos econòmics, els valors, ideologies imperant, desigualtats de gènere, d'ètnia o fins i tot de classe, etc.)
el discurs de JOHN CARLOS és senzill però guarda tot un sistema de valors que ell ha anat conformant a partir de la seua experiència familiar, personal i també dels seus referents polítics com MALCOLM X o MARTIN LUTHER KING i també esportius. a més explica molt bé com funciona el sistema de beques universitàries esportives als estats units i tot el sistema olímpic. deixe ací una vídeo-ressenya del llibre, espere que vos agrade!
el discurs de JOHN CARLOS és senzill però guarda tot un sistema de valors que ell ha anat conformant a partir de la seua experiència familiar, personal i també dels seus referents polítics com MALCOLM X o MARTIN LUTHER KING i també esportius. a més explica molt bé com funciona el sistema de beques universitàries esportives als estats units i tot el sistema olímpic. deixe ací una vídeo-ressenya del llibre, espere que vos agrade!
October 4, 2016
First and foremost, anything that Dave Zirin writes, I highly recommend.
The intersection of sports and social issues has always been a big interest for me, ever since I saw Zirin speak at the UT campus some years ago. The John Carlos story was something I knew about for a long time, but I had never taken a deep look at what Tommie Smith and John Carlos did in 1968.
The current national anthem protest led by athlete Colin Kaepernick has lit a fire inside me and led me to reach back into time to learn more about protests by black American athletes. It's striking to see how, no matter how much progress we as a country feel we have made, some of the same ol' struggles remain. And this is why athletes continue to speak out, protest and inspire change.
Dr. Carlos is a wonderful storyteller and is very good at personally giving us an introspective view about his experiences and how they shaped his feelings towards justice and equality. This book takes the reader from his humble beginnings to his historic anti-national anthem protest, on through his struggles post-run career and his bounce back from depression to where he is today.
I certainly recommend this book to anyone who loves sports. To anyone who has an interest in social justice, and wants to be further inspired by the actions of our predecessors in order to continue the fight they inherited and we persist with to this day.
The intersection of sports and social issues has always been a big interest for me, ever since I saw Zirin speak at the UT campus some years ago. The John Carlos story was something I knew about for a long time, but I had never taken a deep look at what Tommie Smith and John Carlos did in 1968.
The current national anthem protest led by athlete Colin Kaepernick has lit a fire inside me and led me to reach back into time to learn more about protests by black American athletes. It's striking to see how, no matter how much progress we as a country feel we have made, some of the same ol' struggles remain. And this is why athletes continue to speak out, protest and inspire change.
Dr. Carlos is a wonderful storyteller and is very good at personally giving us an introspective view about his experiences and how they shaped his feelings towards justice and equality. This book takes the reader from his humble beginnings to his historic anti-national anthem protest, on through his struggles post-run career and his bounce back from depression to where he is today.
I certainly recommend this book to anyone who loves sports. To anyone who has an interest in social justice, and wants to be further inspired by the actions of our predecessors in order to continue the fight they inherited and we persist with to this day.
November 22, 2011
This relaxed, casual celebrity-style memoir, written with the help of Dave Zirin, is an at-times endearing portrait of John Carlos, who along with Tommie Smith, protested the treatment of African Americans by raising his black-gloved fist into the air during the national anthem at a 1968 Olympics medal service. Carlos struggled to find his place in the world after that moment, but in the meantime his path crosses with some of the most important African American figures of the second half of the 20th century.
Notes:
Carlos's story of Harlem is intriguing and shows such a confluence of great influences from Jazz greats to Malcolm X. Carlos makes all of his illegal activity seem righteous in its Robin Hood manner, and his status as a track phenom is almost magical. Carlos's time in East Texas is such a contrast to the scene in Harlem. We all of a sudden see what the rest of the country lived like. The description of Carlos's interior thoughts during the medal stand are too belabored. I'd much prefer a snappy, clear description of the event, something lyrical and artful.
Carlos's post-Olympic life is often sad in its stunted potential and his inability to parlay his considerable thoughtfulness into a fulfilling life/career path. Carlos's telling of his story is unsophisticated and lacks a certain amount of detail and candor necessary to read as a full autobiography.
Notes:
Carlos's story of Harlem is intriguing and shows such a confluence of great influences from Jazz greats to Malcolm X. Carlos makes all of his illegal activity seem righteous in its Robin Hood manner, and his status as a track phenom is almost magical. Carlos's time in East Texas is such a contrast to the scene in Harlem. We all of a sudden see what the rest of the country lived like. The description of Carlos's interior thoughts during the medal stand are too belabored. I'd much prefer a snappy, clear description of the event, something lyrical and artful.
Carlos's post-Olympic life is often sad in its stunted potential and his inability to parlay his considerable thoughtfulness into a fulfilling life/career path. Carlos's telling of his story is unsophisticated and lacks a certain amount of detail and candor necessary to read as a full autobiography.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews