All In
The inspiring autobiography from the US tennis icon
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Narrated by:
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Billie Jean King
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By:
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Billie Jean King
Brought to you by Penguin.
An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of the champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice.
In this spirited account, Billie Jean King details her life's journey to find her true self. She recounts her groundbreaking tennis career -- six years as the top-ranked woman in the world, twenty Wimbledon championships, thirty-nine grand-slam titles, and her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes." She poignantly recalls the cultural backdrop of those years and the profound impact on her worldview from the women's movement, the assassinations and anti-war protests of the 1960s, the civil rights movement, and, eventually, the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
She describes the myriad challenges she's hurdled -- entrenched sexism, an eating disorder, near financial ruin after being outed -- on her path to publicly and unequivocally acknowledging her sexual identity at the age of fifty-one. And she talks about how her life today remains one of indefatigable service. She offers insights and advice on leadership, business, activism, sports, politics, marriage equality, parenting, sexuality, and love. She shows how living honestly and openly has had a transformative effect on her relationships and happiness. Hers is the story of a pathbreaking feminist, a world-class athlete, and an indomitable spirit whose impact has transcended even her spectacular achievements in sports.
© Billie Jean King 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021
Critic reviews
Featured article: Motivational listens from women in sport
Currently underway, the FIFA Women’s World Cup not only showcases some of the best footballing talent in the world, but also some of the best stories about overcoming hurdles and hardship to succeed. And that’s not a story unique to women’s football; from motorsport to gymnastics via tennis and more, there are women who have faced societal prejudices and personal and professional challenges to become the best at what they do. From footballers to athletes and tennis players we've brought you the best stories and advice from on and off the pitch.
I’ve read reviews from people who criticise the politics yet in the light of her achievements, how can you avoid the politics? She is brutally honest about everything that has affected her life, her family, her friends, her contemporaries and her success. She married her first true love, sought to please those around her by “doing the right thing”. She chose not to bring a child into the world when she was not satisfied she could do the very best for the child. She fought strenuously against all that was wrong in tennis in her early amateur years: sexism and the, frankly shocking, behaviour of the male players of her generation, epitomised by the battle of the sexes. The list of achievements is so impressive.
The word is banded around far too much, and often inappropriately these days but here I think it fits. This woman is a true “legend”.
Superb
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Terrific and frank
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Inspirational
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Author’s own words
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Loved it!
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