{"title":"Claude Johnson","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClaude Johnson\u003c\/strong\u003e delves into the rich history of sports with a particular focus on basketball’s overlooked pioneers. His works illuminate forgotten eras and bring to life the stories of athletes and teams that shaped the game before it entered the mainstream spotlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect detailed narratives that combine rigorous research with compelling storytelling, revealing the cultural and social impact of sports. Johnson’s books offer both sports enthusiasts and history lovers a chance to rediscover the foundations of basketball through a fresh and engaging perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-black-fives-the-epic-story-of-basketballs-forgotten-era-by-claude-johnson-9781419744365","title":"The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball’s Forgotten Era","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the introduction of the game of basketball to Black communities on a wide scale in 1904 to the racial integration of the NBA in 1950, dozens of African American teams were founded and flourished. This period, known as the Black Fives Era (teams at the time were often called \"fives\"), was a time of pioneering players and managers. They battled discrimination and marginalisation and created culturally rich, socially meaningful events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut despite headline-making rivalries between big-city clubs, the savvy moves of innovative businessmen, and the undeniable talent of star players, this period is almost entirely unknown to basketball fans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eClaude Johnson has made it his mission to change that. An advocate fiercely committed to our history, for more than two decades Johnson has conducted interviews, mined archives, collected artefacts, and helped to preserve this historically important African American experience that otherwise would have been lost. \u003cem\u003eThe Black Fives\u003c\/em\u003e is the result of his work, a landmark narrative history that braids together the stories of these forgotten pioneers and rewrites our understanding of the story of basketball.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47363016818924,"sku":"9781419744365","price":49.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/13211183482693.jpg?v=1772912552"},{"product_id":"the-black-fives-by-claude-johnson-9781419749780","title":"The Black Fives","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the introduction of the game of basketball to Black communities on a wide scale in 1904 to the racial integration of the NBA in 1950, dozens of African American teams were founded and flourished. This period, known as the \u003cem\u003eBlack Fives Era\u003c\/em\u003e (teams at the time were often called “fives”), was a time of pioneering players and managers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey battled discrimination and marginalisation and created culturally rich, socially meaningful events. But despite headline-making rivalries between big-city clubs, the savvy moves of innovative businessmen, and the undeniable talent of star players, this period is almost entirely unknown to basketball fans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47471729017068,"sku":"9781419749780","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/428ffc6b4aa8eb364baee7fba61ae895.jpg?v=1775792136"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/claude-johnson.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}