annamariahz's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.0
Even growing up playing tennis, I knew embarrassingly little about Althea Gibson, who paved the way for the integration of women's tennis, so I was so glad I could pick up this book and learn more about her story. This book was excellently researched and engaging. I wish Sally Jacobs had spent a little more time on the important matches in Althea's career, as most of them simply stated the score, and only few described simply when the tide turned for or against her in a match. This is a hard book to read, not only the racism that she endured throughout her career but the heartbreaking end of her life alone.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
voicenextdoor's review
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I am so glad this book crossed my path. Sometime in the last 3 years I became aware of Althea and have become more and more curious about her. This book is exactly what I was looking for. A full biography of one of the most important tennis players to ever enter the sport, and yet so few people are aware of her.
She was #1 ranked female tennis player in the world for both 1957 and 1958, the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships), Wimbledon and the US Nationals (precursor of the US Open). She was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. In all, she won 11 Grand Slam tournaments: five singles titles, five doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title.. Seven years later she broke the color barrier again where she became the first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
Despite those incredible accomplishments Althea never received the recognition that other Tennis athletes have, nor the monetary compensation.
Read this book. Learn her story. Share it with others.
It's the bare minimum that Ms. Gibson deserves.
***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
She was #1 ranked female tennis player in the world for both 1957 and 1958, the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships), Wimbledon and the US Nationals (precursor of the US Open). She was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. In all, she won 11 Grand Slam tournaments: five singles titles, five doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title.. Seven years later she broke the color barrier again where she became the first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
Despite those incredible accomplishments Althea never received the recognition that other Tennis athletes have, nor the monetary compensation.
Read this book. Learn her story. Share it with others.
It's the bare minimum that Ms. Gibson deserves.
***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
fadingapple's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!
3.75/5 stars
Only reason this isn't higher - it was too long. Not that Althea Gibson's life wasn't fascinating and amazing, it was! But Sally Jacobs tended to repeat things and, in my opinion, go off on side stories that were related but not directly impactful to the main story. The repetitiveness and tangents made it feel longer than it needed to be, but the story was still great.
But wow, this was such an interesting story! I had never heard of Althea Gibson but now I'm so glad I have. The writing was good quality, her story was amazing, and I really loved getting to learn more about Althea, tennis, and the time. This is an important story that I think everyone should read.
3.75/5 stars
Only reason this isn't higher - it was too long. Not that Althea Gibson's life wasn't fascinating and amazing, it was! But Sally Jacobs tended to repeat things and, in my opinion, go off on side stories that were related but not directly impactful to the main story. The repetitiveness and tangents made it feel longer than it needed to be, but the story was still great.
But wow, this was such an interesting story! I had never heard of Althea Gibson but now I'm so glad I have. The writing was good quality, her story was amazing, and I really loved getting to learn more about Althea, tennis, and the time. This is an important story that I think everyone should read.
someenchantederin's review
slow-paced
3.0
I received an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think this is my first nonfiction arc and it took me a long time to start it and a longer time to finish it. The audiobook is 18 hours long and it was definitely a slog at some points. I enjoyed hearing about the context of major issues in the country and interrelationships between Althea and the major players of the time. I learned a lot about her as well, and she is someone I had literally never heard of before now. They lost me a bit on the play by play of matches and allll of the various tournaments. I know that several are really important to understand in that detail but I had a hard time getting through it all.
I think this is my first nonfiction arc and it took me a long time to start it and a longer time to finish it. The audiobook is 18 hours long and it was definitely a slog at some points. I enjoyed hearing about the context of major issues in the country and interrelationships between Althea and the major players of the time. I learned a lot about her as well, and she is someone I had literally never heard of before now. They lost me a bit on the play by play of matches and allll of the various tournaments. I know that several are really important to understand in that detail but I had a hard time getting through it all.
brithistnerd's review
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.75
First, it must be said that Althea Gibson's accomplishments, legacy, and impact on the world of tennis have been neglected for decades. Sally H. Jacobs biography on Gibson is a well researched and well written look at her life, as well as at the history of U.S. tennis itself. 'Althea' is a fascinating read for not just fans of Gibson but of tennis in general. Four stars!
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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