Big Girl in the Middle

by Gabrielle Reece

An odd hybrid of a book, Big Girl in the Middle is part model/volleyball player Gabrielle Reece's autobiography and part third-person chronicle of the misadventures of Team Nike across the 1996 professional beach volleyball circuit, for which Reece captained and played middle blocker. At 6'3" and 170 pounds, Reece cuts an imposing figure, as commanding on a magazine or book cover as she is on the court. She has a unique perspective on both of the public arenas in which she's played: as a top-flight athlete and accepted beauty, she smashes several stereotypes; how she's coped with those stereotypes, successfully spiking most of them, makes Reece an admirable role model. Her observations in this area serve up Big Girl's best attributes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Angela]

This book was published in 1997, so she has accomplished much more since this book. The style of the book was intriguing...one chapter from Karen Karbo about what she witnessed during the volleyball season of 1996 (a sad year for Team Nike - Gaby's team - they lost...most of the time.) and then a chapter from Gaby, about what its like being a female athlete - how the modeling affects the athleticism. I enjoyed this book A LOT.

Best quote is from Gaby:

"Now I've gotten to the place where 'I just don't feel like it' is no longer part of my vocabulary. My advice to women: take the emotion out of it." from page 216

She is an inspiration, and more than because she can play a sport and is beautiful enough that she doesn't even have to play it well (tho she does) Its because of how she has handled things in her life, from childhood on.

[Pam Masters]

As a volleyball fan I love to read about players and where they come from, what makes them tick. I never realized what she went through, where she came from. It made me respect her even more.

[Radawn]

I love biographies and she is an interesting woman. I love to read inspiring stories about real people and the things they overcome to achieve.

[Wendy]

I love Gabby, but she comes off as a bit into herself in this book. We know you're beautiful, Gabby, you can quit telling us! :)