Barnstorming Hawaiian Travelers

Joel S. Franks is an emeritus Professor of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at San Jose State University, and has written several books on Asian American and Pacific Islander sport history. He lives in Washington DC.

“A valuable scholarly contribution to the fields of American history, Asian American history and baseball history”—Nine; “A serious and illuminating study of race, color and ethnicity in pre–World War I America. While the Travelers didn’t defeat anti–Asian (and especially anti–Chinese) racism in the U.S., they nevertheless used baseball to prove themselves and to break down barriers and prejudices. Franks brings to life an important and neglected history of the period, the team, and its players. Highly recommended.”—Rob Elias, author, The Empire Strikes Out: How Baseball Sold U.S. Foreign Policy & Promoted the American Way Abroad; “Well researched and clearly written, Franks’s book illuminates the history of baseball, ethnic identity, and race relations. While scholars will benefit from it, The Hawaiian Travelers will appeal to a broad audience interested in the history of baseball, Hawaii, or race.”—C. Richard King, author, Native Athletes in Sport and Society; “In a remarkably rsearched and detailed book, Franks has peiced togehter the players’ lives to show the shifting boundaries of race and ethnicity in early 20th century America. It’s a must read for any baseball fan interested in the international game or the sociology of sport.”—Robert K. Fitts, author of Banzai Babe Ruth.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      viiiPreface      Introduction      1. The First Journey, 1912      2. The “Yellow Peril” at Bat, 1913      3. The Not So “All-Chinese,” 1914      4. Never the Home Team, 1915      5. One Last Time, 1916      6. Further Travels      7. Buck Lai’s Journeys      Epilogue      Notes      Bibliography      Index