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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
Okay, so I know I'm a lesbian so it's natural for me to enjoy this book, but really, this was a great listen!! I've been aware of Billie Jean King all my life, but never read anything about her. This book was SO MUCH more than tennis. This was about feminism and breaking down barriers across the board. I had no idea just how much I owe to her for allowing me to live my life as I choose with whom I choose and with almost equal pay. Even if you aren't a sportsball person, read this if you're interested in feminist history.
Really enjoyed it, even without knowing much about tennis. I wanted to learn more about the gender inequity issues and title 9 - appreciated her outlook and her ability to take the long view of things and adjust accordingly. Amazing athlete and person.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Billie Jean King has put so much effort into improving the world for many people. I really enjoyed learning more about her life story. She's one of my heroes.
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I was not into tennis as a youth (I played many other sports), nor am I into it as an adult, however, what I found most interesting in this book were the chapters discussing feminism, Title IV, and equal pay for equal work. I didn't realized that Ms. King did so much for the women's movement both on and off of the court.
I suspect that if I were someone who followed tennis, I would find the rest of the book's subject matter on the sport more interesting, but as my interest in tennis is little, I don't feel I can truly comment on that aspect.
However, this book is, overall, well-written, reads well, and has a variety of subject matter that I think many women would find interesting. Thankfully, I know a handful of other women to who I can pass along this book.
I was not into tennis as a youth (I played many other sports), nor am I into it as an adult, however, what I found most interesting in this book were the chapters discussing feminism, Title IV, and equal pay for equal work. I didn't realized that Ms. King did so much for the women's movement both on and off of the court.
I suspect that if I were someone who followed tennis, I would find the rest of the book's subject matter on the sport more interesting, but as my interest in tennis is little, I don't feel I can truly comment on that aspect.
However, this book is, overall, well-written, reads well, and has a variety of subject matter that I think many women would find interesting. Thankfully, I know a handful of other women to who I can pass along this book.
I would actually like to give this book a much higher rating, but 5 is the max! Honest and full story. Thank you for your life and work BJMK!
Probably the best autobiography I’ve ever read.
I went into this expecting a lot about tennis and a bit about sexuality - I’m a lifelong tennis fan, but was born after Billie Jean King retired so I mainly see her hailed as a great champion who’s sat watching matches (she hasn’t done much punditry work in my region during my lifetime either).
This book completely opened my eyes and is so well shared. It explores so much more than tennis, and it’s great to hear from someone who was a critical part of the second wave of feminism, but who saw feminism in general as her secondary role in the world, with the specifics for her pertaining to her main job of her sport, rather than being a career feminist/academic.
Such an important and straightforward read, I urge anyone to add it to their list.
I went into this expecting a lot about tennis and a bit about sexuality - I’m a lifelong tennis fan, but was born after Billie Jean King retired so I mainly see her hailed as a great champion who’s sat watching matches (she hasn’t done much punditry work in my region during my lifetime either).
This book completely opened my eyes and is so well shared. It explores so much more than tennis, and it’s great to hear from someone who was a critical part of the second wave of feminism, but who saw feminism in general as her secondary role in the world, with the specifics for her pertaining to her main job of her sport, rather than being a career feminist/academic.
Such an important and straightforward read, I urge anyone to add it to their list.
Often, my ratings reflect two things: 1. The level of enjoyment I get from the writing and the characters, and 2. How the book makes me feel. My only current source of disappointment is that the book is over.
Billie Jean King is an American treasure. I’m so grateful I’ve had the chance to get to know her.
Every human being in this country has benefitted from her work and advocacy, even if they don’t fully realize or accept it. The world is a better place because Billie Jean is here.
Billie Jean King is an American treasure. I’m so grateful I’ve had the chance to get to know her.
Every human being in this country has benefitted from her work and advocacy, even if they don’t fully realize or accept it. The world is a better place because Billie Jean is here.
Billie Jean is a fascinating and brilliant woman, and undoubtedly the landscape of women's tennis looks vastly different without her influence on it. So it's unfortunate that this autobiography didn't knock it out of the park. And I think the problem comes down to length. It was too long and myered in detail. It is in turn fascinating and boring at points. I liked hearing about some of her activism and her struggle with coming out, and about her abortion. These were all surprises. And this isn't a bad book. It just wasn't a slam.
Billie Jean King’s autobiography “All In” paints a striking portrait of the challenges women and members of the LGBTQ+ community have overcome in the past few decades. The book begins outlining her childhood, and her supportive and loving family, leading into her love (and obsession) with tennis. In a vivid recounting, Billie shared many of her tournaments, training, and business ventures since the 1950s, through present day. While her career as a tennis professional is more than admirable, it’s her activism both on and off the court that set her apart as an agent of change and leader.
A fierce women’s rights advocate, BJK is perhaps known best for the ‘battle of the sexes’ where she beat Bobby Riggs, in a massively televised match. However, her activism began far before that and has carried on sense, with her efforts to start a women’s pro tour, to mentoring the US National women’s soccer and hockey teams in their fights for equal pay (as early as the 1980s-1990s). While BJK advocated for LGBTQ+ equality before she was outed, it was in her later years that her LGBTQ+ activism ramped up and took off. Hearing about all the fights for equality and progress she has contributed to is truly inspiring. BJK continues to be a fierce advocate for equality and safety for all, and surely continues to inspire activism and advocacy in others (I know she does for me!).
And finally, listening through the personal struggles BJK overcame, which I was unaware of, is awe-inspiring. She had a binge-eating problem of which she sought treatment for, the legal battles she had with an ex who tried to blackmail her, and the business battles to keep women’s sports on an equal playing field, were no small feat and are truly a testament to her determination and strength.
I recommend BJK’s autobiography to anyone interested in not only sports, but also those interested in advocacy, activism, and interested in stories of strength and overcoming all odds.
Easily a 5-star read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fierce women’s rights advocate, BJK is perhaps known best for the ‘battle of the sexes’ where she beat Bobby Riggs, in a massively televised match. However, her activism began far before that and has carried on sense, with her efforts to start a women’s pro tour, to mentoring the US National women’s soccer and hockey teams in their fights for equal pay (as early as the 1980s-1990s). While BJK advocated for LGBTQ+ equality before she was outed, it was in her later years that her LGBTQ+ activism ramped up and took off. Hearing about all the fights for equality and progress she has contributed to is truly inspiring. BJK continues to be a fierce advocate for equality and safety for all, and surely continues to inspire activism and advocacy in others (I know she does for me!).
And finally, listening through the personal struggles BJK overcame, which I was unaware of, is awe-inspiring. She had a binge-eating problem of which she sought treatment for, the legal battles she had with an ex who tried to blackmail her, and the business battles to keep women’s sports on an equal playing field, were no small feat and are truly a testament to her determination and strength.
I recommend BJK’s autobiography to anyone interested in not only sports, but also those interested in advocacy, activism, and interested in stories of strength and overcoming all odds.
Easily a 5-star read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️