The Port Chicago 50 Audiobook By Steve Sheinkin cover art

The Port Chicago 50

Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

 Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Port Chicago 50

By: Steve Sheinkin
Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offers ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.20

Buy for $16.20

LIMITED TIME OFFER. Get 3 months for $0.99 a month. Get this deal.

An astonishing civil rights story from Newbery Honor winner and National Book Award finalist Steve Sheinkin.

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago, California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. On August 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution. This is a fascinating story of the prejudice that faced black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II, and a nuanced look at those who gave their lives in service of a country where they lacked the most basic rights.

©2013 Steve Sheinkin (P)2013 Listening Library Black & African American Difficult Discussions Growing Up & Facts of Life History Literature & Fiction Military & Wars Multicultural Stories North America
adbl_web_adaptive_pdp_alc_button_t1

Critic reviews

"Narrator Dominic Hoffman serves as an outstanding educator while also capturing the voices of many of the victims of this tragedy. He also portrays Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who became involved with their case. This audiobook offers young listeners a splendid opportunity to hear a trial in action and learn about the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement." ( AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant
Books such as “Port Chicago 50” are a nice, and necessary, addendum to the American history that isn’t taught in schools. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants unadulterated historical perspective from the side that is often left out.

Port Chicago 50 Thumbs Up!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Uses primary and secondary documents to reveal the struggle these young men faced...duty to country versus respect for the work they were commanded to do.

Never Read this in school history books!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As a black man and a Navy Chief I’ve never heard this story until another black Navy Chief told me about it. Story’s like these should not be forgotten.

Navy Chief Navy Pride

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This should be included in all history curriculum for middle school or high school students.

WWWII and Civil Rights History

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It’s sad that this happened but a great story about all that happened back then

Good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I never knew the story. It was wonderfully written nicely narrated, and a great story for every one to know about.

Very informative

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great listen. A must read for ALL military members and leaders! Why didn't I learn about this in school?!

integral for Leaders

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I am a huge Sheinkin fan. This is the first book that I was disappointed in. It felt like I was listening to court records for many chapters. Unlike Sheinkin’s other books, I didn’t feel personally connected to the people until the end of the book. It is an amazing story, and I am grateful to the Port Chicago soldiers for their sacrifice. I wish that Sheinkin would have included more about the individuals as people throughout the book. Still love this author- but won’t be recommending this book.

Not as amazingly written as Sheinkin’s other books

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.