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tdk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
zhelana's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
When I was a girl, maybe 5 years old, the thing I wanted most in the world was Martina Navratilova's autograph. Lucky me, she was coming to the tennis club my parents belonged to for a tournament. But then she refused to sign my program for me. I was sitting under a tree crying when a woman I didn't know asked why I was crying. I told her and she said, "she won't refuse me. Wait here." And so I waited. When she came back, she said "I can't believe this, but you're right, she won't sign it. You're too young to remember me, but my name is Billie Jean King, and one day my autograph is going to be worth more than hers." And she signed my program. So I already knew that Billie Jean King was a remarkable lady who cares about everyone, even a crying 5 year old she'll never see again.
What I was to learn from this book is how much more she was. I had stopped following tennis a few years later and developed interests that weren't my dad's interests, and while I knew that Billie Jean King was a big name tennis star, I didn't really know anything else about her. This book made me really appreciate who that person who came to my rescue 35 years ago was.
This book covers her tennis career as well as civil rights discussions from Title IX to March For Our Lives, and talks about all the major changes that have happened within Billie Jean's life. She talks about being instrumental in civil rights movements for both women and LGBT folx, and then she talks about the people taking over as Millennials step up to take her place.
They say we stand on the shoulders of giants, and Billie Jean King is one of those giants whose shoulders my generation stands on.
What I was to learn from this book is how much more she was. I had stopped following tennis a few years later and developed interests that weren't my dad's interests, and while I knew that Billie Jean King was a big name tennis star, I didn't really know anything else about her. This book made me really appreciate who that person who came to my rescue 35 years ago was.
This book covers her tennis career as well as civil rights discussions from Title IX to March For Our Lives, and talks about all the major changes that have happened within Billie Jean's life. She talks about being instrumental in civil rights movements for both women and LGBT folx, and then she talks about the people taking over as Millennials step up to take her place.
They say we stand on the shoulders of giants, and Billie Jean King is one of those giants whose shoulders my generation stands on.
katielizroy's review against another edition
4.0
This book pleasantly surprised me. Even though the writing wasn’t exceptional, the story was compelling enough to keep me going. I learned a ton about women’s sports as a whole and it made me hungry to learn more.
ebroadbent22's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
tifflovesfandoms22's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly don't do book reviews, but Billie Jean King's memoir captivates my heart so much. Her advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality, equal pay, womanhood, and the beginnings of legalizing abortion, amongst others are extremely eye-opening. It is impressive that, in addition to Megan Rapinoe's memoir, I can 100% guarantee that both King and the latter's experiences with gender inequality in sports and individual expressions of feminism is nothing less than motivational, while also progressing a definitive outlook for a more optimistic future.
At the same time, King's approach toward her struggles with her lesbianism and her trauma from having to be "outed" further impressed me. I admire her willingness to stand up for her rights and her strength to be herself, while leaving a signature touch to becoming free. It is imperative that love demands sacrifice.. which is why I spent so much of my time appreciating both the ups and downs of King's relationship with her wife, Illana.. I would forever admire them for their love for each other.
If a reader or anyone who just started their reading journey asks for an absolute must-read that would continue to channel shockwaves for years or maybe generations to come, Billie's memoir would be the one I'd absolutely recommend.
At the same time, King's approach toward her struggles with her lesbianism and her trauma from having to be "outed" further impressed me. I admire her willingness to stand up for her rights and her strength to be herself, while leaving a signature touch to becoming free. It is imperative that love demands sacrifice.. which is why I spent so much of my time appreciating both the ups and downs of King's relationship with her wife, Illana.. I would forever admire them for their love for each other.
If a reader or anyone who just started their reading journey asks for an absolute must-read that would continue to channel shockwaves for years or maybe generations to come, Billie's memoir would be the one I'd absolutely recommend.
saucepotrach's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
mattbutreads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
5.0
“Years from now, I never want anyone to question my commitment to you.”