The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central: High School Basketball at the '68 Racial Divide

Wow, where to even start? I really enjoyed this book as I think any of us who were growing up in Omaha in the 1960's would. As a North High graduate of the class of '65 I recognized so many places and names. Now I was away in the military from 66-70 so I missed being in Omaha for that iconic year of 1968. I returned in 1970 and shortly after getting back I joined the Omaha Police Department. That was shortly after Officer Larry Minard was killed in a booby trapped dynamite explosion, so while I did not know Larry I worked with and knew many of the Police Officers mentioned in the book. I left the Police Department in 1982 to take a job with another law enforcement agency and have not been back to Omaha hardly at all since moving away. So many memories were brought up by reading this book. It's funny that the one that sticks in my mind the most was sitting in Kings Restaurant and making your order over the telephone system, "Onion rings and a coke please." Thank you so much to the author for helping me remember so many times, both good and bad.Special Agent, FBI-Retired

This book was recommended to me by daughter's mother. It will certainly be interesting to anyone who lived in or near Omaha in the mid-20th century. It will also be interesting to anyone wishing a better understanding of racial tension in America. I didn't realize that Omaha was one of the original flash points in the battle for equality among the races. I lived in Omaha for only three years, but It was six years before the time frame covered in this book. I was 15 when I moved away from Omaha. But I had married an Omaha girl, so I spent two summers there when we were in college. This book was describing areas where I played basketball two or three times per week and was four blocks from where I lived. It explained how the neighborhood, even the city, was created. It referred to the barber shop where I went for haircuts, the school that I attended and which I thought that I understood, and it mentioned several people whom I knew. Most of all, it described the impact and evolution of integration of the races in Omaha with the backdrop of a top rated, academic high school with a top-ranked basketball team.It is a keeper! I actually read my ex-wife's book. I bought it because I had to have it in my library.

I was truly a young girl during this error, dated Carlos Dillard 1972, both my brothers were in this error at central and both played ball. Robert & Ralph Hackney 1967 & 1968 and there little sister was at every game. Just for the record neither one of my brothers who are now deceased, both in 2010 one month apart in death, were interviewed for this book. FYI they both served in the US Army and the both fought in The Vietnam war. They both became to be postal workers, for USPS. And this is still a fantastic book, I'm so glad to of known all the players mentioned, half of which grew up at my house.I'm also a Central graduate, 1975 now in Texas. Also lived here when Dwayne Dillard lived here, boy time really brings about a change. Again great book. Thanks for the memories.

I found this book to be both interesting and entertaining. I've lived in Omaha for the past 17 years and I've read several books on the city's history, this being one of the best I've read. I am a sports fan, so that interested me, but I also grew up in the turbulent 60's and that added to my interest. My father-in-law, who played high school basketball in Omaha not long before the time period written about (so he is very familiar with the characters in the book), provided a nice source of information for my questions. Overall, whether from Omaha or not, it's an interesting story from an interesting time.

I've read the book and found it fascinating, informative, thoughtful, and engaging. I learned a lot about people I thought I knew and met some other, new people in the book whom I am glad to have encountered. Thanks to the author for illuminating this crucial period in US, Omaha, and Central HIgh history.

I purchased this right before the Christmas holiday so I was notified it would not be delivered until after the holiday. That was ok with me, it arrived shortly afterwards as promised. The book was in great condition and the person I bought it for was very satisfied with the book. Good read, although some facts were smoothed over! The book has been passed along to others that were in Omaha and could relate to the subject.

Because I live in Omaha & know some of the people who went to Central, this was of great interest to me.I was living in Michigan in the '60's & heard about the race riots in Omaha & was acquainted with the city throughrelatives who were living in Omaha. The book is of local interest, but would be of interest to anyone who lived throughthe civil rights era & its tragedies.

As a 1965 graduate of Omaha Central, I found this book to be fascinating. I learned things about my high school, the times, the administration, Omaha, and racism that helped me sort out my experience and memories. At least for someone who was there, this is a good read.