Review by Choice Review
The subtitle perfectly conveys the hagiographic intent of this book, a fun, easy-to-read, laudatory description of the tennis great. Although sports journalist Corbett relies primarily on published (magazine and newspaper) biographies and autobiographical accounts as source material, she does include firsthand interviews with several scholars, lending an academic perspective to the text. The chronological account of Williams's life and career begins with her childhood in Compton (California), learning to be a tennis player from her father alongside big sister Venus. The episodic narrative traces Williams's phenomenal tennis career, her close relationship with her sister, and her forays into the fashion world. More analytically, the text also considers Williams's role as a celebrity Black woman in the world and how she has used her success and position to influence and support others. Although the author hints at some interesting questions, such as what does being a Jehovah's Witness and a digital activist mean, this portrait of Serena Williams does not dig deeply. The book provides a welcome tribute to an athlete who is arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time but is not a deeply critical or scholarly work. Summing Up: Optional. General readers. --Sarah K. Fields, University of Colorado-Denver
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Corbett, tennis columnist for Bleacher Report, makes a compelling case for Serena Williams as not only the greatest tennis player (male or female) of all time but also an inspirational role model and cultural heroine. Much of the text traces Serena's childhood and tennis career from humble beginnings in Compton, California, through her rise in the professional game and success in winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles, and counting. This content can be found in other sources, but Corbett also explores Serena's influential roles as a successful businesswoman in the fashion industry and in fighting for gender equality. The author draws from traditional print sources, including Williams' autobiography, On the Line (2009), and her father, Richard Williams' memoir Black and White (2014), but she also uses various internet sources, including social-media posts. There is a definite adulatory tone here, but Corbett's respect for her subject doesn't detract from her perceptive handling of such topics as sexism, racism, and black girl magic. Add this to the already substantial literature on Serena Williams.--Brenda Barrera Copyright 2020 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
