What is the main theme in the biography, Oscar Charleston: Was Cobb “The White Charleston”?

It is Charleston's greatness as an athlete that is the main theme of the biography. His strength is attested to by numerous ballplayers. Pitchers would toss the ball to him when he played first base so that he would rub it between hands so strong that he would loosen the cover on the ball, making curve balls dip farther, sliders drop sharper, and other off speed pitches such as knuckle balls move more. It was also harder to hit a ball far if it had a loose cover. Charleston's strength was also apparent in his hitting: "He hit so hard, he'd knock gloves off you," says infielder Newt Allen. Holway documents his numerous home runs, but also points out that Charleston was more than a slugger. He was a skilled batsman who took advantage of an opposing team's weaknesses in the field, and—unlike Cobb— he was a selfless player who was willing to win a game with a bunt rather than insisting on trying to hit a home run.