This book is an engaging short biography/autobiography of Andrew Heidelberg, who was one of the first group of African American students to attend white schools in Norfolk, Virginia. The book provides a first-hand account of his feelings and experiences and is a good primary resource. The local school board fought against letting in the African American students so court battles were required & the students attended a special school organized by the local NAACP to make sure they were prepared academically for when the schools were forced to integrate. The book shows Andrew's ambivalence about leaving his friends and going to a new school where there would be conflict and challenges; he has to face personal fears in a violent world.

Heidelberg was a star football player growing up, and fought hard to play in high school. He got better through community league play and by his senior year was too good to be left off the high school team. He became the first African American to play white high school football in Virginia. Like many tales of integration through sports, this part of the book combines examples of grotesque racism with accounts of bonding. In one example, Heidelberg is sent to eat in the kitchen of a restaurant and two of his white teammates join him there. The main part of the book ends with the end of Heidelberg's high school years.

In "Heidelberg: Of The Norfolk 17," author Robert D Gaines presents the extraordinary life story of Andrew Heidelberg, a courageous African American pioneer who defied racial boundaries by becoming the first to participate in "white" high school football in the segregated South. The book recounts Andrew's journey and sheds light on the broader context of the civil rights movement in Virginia. Born in 1943, Heidelberg entered Norview High School after landmark desegregation rulings, marking a significant step towards equality. Joining The Norfolk 17, a group of seventeen African American students, Heidelberg embarked on a path that would shape the future of education in Norfolk. Amidst daily humiliation and threats, he persevered, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on the Norview football team and fostering unity among black and white families. Gaines skillfully weaves the story's complex layers, infusing it with humanity, humour, and the unwavering determination to survive in an unjust society.

The book's contents are divided into 24 chapters, explaining Andrew's groundbreaking achievements in high school and the diverse range of experiences in his life. After graduation, he entered the banking industry, becoming a trailblazer in his professional endeavours. From serving as the first African American Branch Manager, Credit Officer, and Commercial Loan Officer at the Industrial National Bank of Providence, Rhode Island, to founding his firm, Heidelberg, Clary & Associates, Inc., his accomplishments demonstrate a tenacious spirit beyond the football field. Gaines illuminates these later chapters of Heidelberg's life, providing a comprehensive and inspiring account of his continued dedication to breaking down barriers and promoting equality.

This book honours Andrew Heidelberg's remarkable legacy and delves into his subsequent contributions to society. As a member of the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Awards Committee, appointed by Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Heidelberg played a pivotal role in shaping educational opportunities for future generations. Though Heidelberg passed away in 2015, his indomitable spirit lives on in the pages of this compelling and essential biography, leaving an enduring legacy of courage, resilience, and the fight for equality. ( )