SKU: 15399258248

The City Game

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The City GameBy: Matthew Goodman The powerful story of a college basketball team who carried an eras brightest hopesracial harmony, social mobility, and the triumph of the underdogbut whose success was soon followed by a shocking downfall A masterpiece of American storytelling.Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Devil in the Grove NAMED ONE OF THE BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW The unlikeliest of champions, the 194950

By: Matthew Goodman     
The powerful story of a college basketball team who carried an era’s brightest hopes—racial harmony, social mobility, and the triumph of the underdog—but whose success was soon followed by a shocking downfall

“A masterpiece of American storytelling.”—Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Devil in the Grove

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

The unlikeliest of champions, the 1949–50 City College Beavers were extraordinary by every measure. New York’s City College was a tuition-free, merit-based college in Harlem known far more for its intellectual achievements and political radicalism than its athletic prowess. Only two years after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier—and at a time when the National Basketball Association was still segregated—every single member of the Beavers was either Jewish or African American. But during that remarkable season, under the guidance of the legendary former player Nat Holman, this unheralded group of city kids would stun the basketball world by becoming the only team in history to win the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year.

This team, though, proved to be extraordinary in another way: During the following season, all of the team’s starting five were arrested by New York City detectives, charged with conspiring with gamblers to shave points. Almost overnight these beloved heroes turned into fallen idols. The story centers on two teammates and close friends, Eddie Roman and Floyd Layne, one white, one black, each caught up in the scandal, each searching for a path to personal redemption. Though banned from the NBA, Layne continued to devote himself to basketball, teaching the game to young people in his Bronx neighborhood and, ultimately, with Roman’s help, finding another kind of triumph—one that no one could have anticipated.

Drawing on interviews with the surviving members of that championship team, Matthew Goodman has created an indelible portrait of an era of smoke-filled arenas and Borscht Belt hotels, when college basketball was far more popular than the professional game. It was a time when gangsters controlled illegal sports betting, the police were on their payroll, and everyone, it seemed, was getting rich—except for the young men who actually played the games. 

Tautly paced and rich with period detail, The City Game tells a story both dramatic and poignant: of political corruption, duplicity in big-time college sports, and the deeper meaning of athletic success.
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SKU: 15399258248

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4.4 ★★★★★
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Robin J
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Terrific product
Color: A1-Red
I adopted a 2 year old cat - she’s not much for a lot of the toys I have purchased for her, until this one! At first she seemed very cautious with it - but still followed it around - once I slowed it down (a few different options) she loves to play with it! Great purchase very pleased with it
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026
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Shayla Shepherd
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Fun & Fast moving toy for my cats!
Color: A1-Red
This is such a fun little toy to keep my cats entertained. They were definitely weary about it for the first few days, but started to get used to it and play with it after a bit. I wish there was an even slower option because the slow option is still pretty fast, but at least it gets them up and moving. They will even play with the tail part when it's not turned on. Like others have said, it does collect hair pretty easily, but it's very easy to clean off. I don't have any dogs, but I could see smaller dogs loving this as well!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Jacqueline M. Miller
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 2
That it’s usable for more than one day
Color: A3-Pink, Color: A3-Pink
The toy itself is great and my puppy enjoyed it. My problem is that it didn’t come with a charging cord and none of mine fit. It never changed colors. Maybe if I had a charger cord it would be worth it, but right now it’s useless!!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
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Tinkerbell
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 3
Fun for Fido but flimsy
Color: A2-Blue
My 15 yearold mini Schnauzer, Sam, played with this for less than 1 hour and tore the rubber sleeve off it. I will say the toy itself is a genius idea. Sam was absolutely ensconced. I wish it were made sturdier.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2026
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sheila b.
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
It does exactly what they say it does! Worth the money
Color: A1-Red
It arrived quickly. It’s a fun toy! It’s the right size for cats. Definitely worth the money. It is exactly as described. So far, the quality seems very good and it seems durable. The instructions are on the side of the box, which makes learning how to operate it easy. I love it that it’s red, because my kitty seems to be attracted to red. My kitty is very interested in it, yet isn’t quite sure what to think of it. I love that it changes directions on its own so that it doesn’t get stuck or lost under furniture, which is typical for a ball that cats play with. It seems to only go two, three or four feet in one direction and then it changes directions, which is both good and bad. I just wish it would go farther in one direction before changing directions so that my kitty could chase it farther, as we have plenty of space in our house for her to run. But that certainly could be a plus for other cats, enjoying not knowing where the ball is going to go next and really keep them on their toes.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2026

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