Billie Jean

by Billie Jean King

First edition. Signed and inscribed by Billie Jean King.
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Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

As one of the 20th century's most respected and influential people, Billie Jean King has long been a champion for social change and equality. She created new inroads for both genders in and out of sports during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today. King was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Reviews

[Rose Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a window into a truly dynamic life.

Billie Jean King writes with no agenda; she writes not to apply herself to a certain section of society, or to satisfy the general public by catering to their views or hopes about her. She writes with no unnecessary frills or embellishments, but simply of her life as she lived it.

I do not agree with some of the views she expressed, but maybe that is what I appreciated so much about this book. Rarely do I read autobiographies or memoirs. When I do, they always seem to affirm my own worldview. This book shocked me, because in my sheltered existence I had thought it was impossible to radically promote sexuality and gender as a spectrum while condemning socialism. Not so! People are complicated. We don't fit into molds like that. We don't all split into two categories, whether it be gay or straight, Republican or Democrat, or male or female.

This book was unique. It was freeing. Wonderful, even, to be able to hear her voice, see her story as she wanted it to be seen, and to appreciate Billie Jean King's raw humanity, which was to be be able to acknowledge her power, bravery, and faults simultaneously.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nobody appreciates BJK more than I, but this book is not good. It’s incredibly dated and poorly written. Because it was written right after she was outed and sued, and she is clearly on the defensive; anything about her sexuality is discussed briefly and with deflection. There are a lot of good inside tennis tidbits about the beginning of the professional tennis era, but even those are compromised by poor writing, grand generalizations, and lack of structure.

[Halina · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.5. I love BJK’s heroic efforts to achieve equality for women and her big wins. Unfortunately, this book isn’t particularly well written.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

REad this quite a while back, but read anything of tennis... Billie Jean is an icon and this book is great , there should be more on this tennis star. who advanced women's tennis and got them more money and better tournaments to play in, making it equal to men, was a tough go, but Billie had a lot to do with that!