Born to Win: The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson
by Frances Clayton Gray
Published 2004 by John Wiley & Sons

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780471471653

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On Althea Gibson, America's first African American tennis champion: "I am grateful to Althea Gibson for having the strength and courage to break through the racial barriers in tennis. She knocked down walls that gave us more freedom to concentrate on the game. . . . Althea's accomplishments set the stage for my success, but she also made a difference for people of all backgrounds in all areas. Through beneficiaries like me, Serena, and many others to come, her legacy will live on."

-Venus Williams "She just meant so much to me. I've always felt connected to her and thankful and grateful for what she's done for people of color and me."

-Billie Jean King "Althea built many bridges over her seventy-six years on this earth to ease our crossing. . . . She fought the good fight, she finished her course, she kept her faith, and she can rest-game, set, and match."

-David Dinkins

former mayor of New York City "It was the quiet dignity with which Althea carried herself during the turbulent days of the 1950s that was truly remarkable. . . . When she began playing, less than five percent of tennis newcomers were minorities. Today, some thirty percent are minorities, two-thirds of whom are African American. This is her legacy."

-Alan Schwartz

President, U.S. Tennis Association

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 08/09/2004

The first African-American woman to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, Gibson (1927-2003) was one of the most gifted athletes, male or female, of the second half of the 20th century. Despite her talent, which reached its zenith in the 1950s and early '60s, little has been written about her, save for her own 1958 autobiography, long out of print. Unfortunately, this effort from Gray, cofounder of the Althea Gibson Foundation, and journalist Lamb comes up short. While all the highlights of Gibson's rise-from the streets of Harlem to Wimbledon, from professional tennis to professional golf-are here, there's little insight into Gibson herself. This is particularly disappointing since Gray was a Gibson confidante who had the athlete's friends' and family's cooperation. Gray tends to gush about Gibson's many triumphs while largely overlooking her shortcomings. She even glosses over the difficult physical and financial situation Gibson faced during the 1990s after suffering a stroke, delivering a superficial look at this trailblazing woman. A more rounded and better written portrait of Gibson appears in Bruce Schoenfeld's The Match: Althea Gibson & Angela Buxton: How Two Outsiders-One Black, the Other Jewish-Forged a Friendship and Made Sports History , which Amistad published in June. 40 b&w photos. (Sept.)

Springboard & Platform Diving-2nd Edition
by Ronald F. O'Brien
Published 2002 by Human Kinetics Publishers

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780736043786

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Archery-2nd Edition: Steps to Success
by Kathleen M. Haywood
Published 1997 by Human Kinetics Publishers

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780873228541

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Swimming: Steps to Success
by David Thomas
Published 2005 by Human Kinetics Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780873228466

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Gymnastics
by Rik Feeney
Published 1992 by McGraw-Hill Companies

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780940279438

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Chalked Up: Inside Elite Gymnastics' Merciless Coaching, Overzealous Parents, Eating Disorders, and Elusive Olympic Dreams
by Jennifer Sey
Published 2008 by William Morrow & Company

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780061351464

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Published in time for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, this book by a champion gymnast tells her riveting true story of pain, abuse, neglect, and endurance on the road to the Olympics. 16-page b&w photo insert.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 03/17/2008

Sey writes of her career in internationally competitive gymnastics, which culminated when she won the 1986 U.S. national championship at age 17. From the start Sey was an underdog, ever the second-best athlete on the team hoping to prove herself with tenacity and toughness. She endured numerous injuries-including a broken femur, which could have ended her career-as well as an eating disorder, depression, isolation and tremendous strain on her family. With each new sacrifice that her parents and brother made to support her, the stakes crept higher, inuring them all to gymnastics' inherent physical and psychological trauma. After claiming the U.S. title, Sey was "shell-shocked and exhausted," suddenly robbed of her lifelong motivation. "I'd always been a fighter, a come-from-behind girl. Now that I was on top, the battle would be unwinnable." The memoir's poignant glimpses at Sey's adult struggle to reckon with her past are regrettably sparse, and her prose occasionally lapses into wordiness, but overall, she has written a courageous story befitting a comeback kid-a timely release for the 2008 Olympics. (May)

Great Moments in the Olympics
by Michael Burgan
Published 2002 by World Almanac Library

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9780836853483

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Learn to Swim in a Weekend
by Sharron Davies
Published 1992 by Alfred A. Knopf

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780679412762

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Swifter, Higher, Stronger: A Photographic History of the Summer Olympics
by Sue Macy
Published 2004 by National Geographic Society

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780792266679

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REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 06/14/2004

Arriving in time for the summer events in Athens is Swifter, Higher, Stronger: A Photographic History of the Summer Olympics by Sue Macy. This account of the modern Olympics, beginning in 1896, covers women's entrance into the games, star athletes who broke records, and expectations and controversies including racism, terrorism and drug scandals. Photographs, charts of record-holders and an introduction by Bob Costas round out this timely release.

06/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 3 Up-While other books on the topic go into more depth on specific sports, athletes, or historical events, none are as enthusiastically broad or as enjoyable to read as this one. And, it's superbly illustrated with colorful, well-chosen, and enticing photographs. Following a foreword from sportscaster Bob Costas, Macy shares her own young Olympic dreams to represent the appeal of the Games and how they have changed over time. She tells of the rebirth of the Olympic movement in the late 1800s, the changing status of female participants, and the triumph of the thousands of "awe-inspiring athletic performances." Different personalities throughout the years emerge; likewise, fair attention is given to some of the controversies and tragedies that have befallen the event. Nary a spread goes by without dynamic photographs and artifacts, both contemporary and historical; some show, and photo galleries present, compilations of diverse athletes competing, excelling, and celebrating. A world map indicating Summer Olympics sites through 2008 and an almanac of quick data follow. Next up are over a dozen pages giving several paragraphs of fascinating facts from every Olympiad as well as a sample of a poster, medal, or outstanding athlete representing each one. Wonderful research notes, an annotated resource list, and an Olympic quiz bring this book across the finish line first.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Beach Volleyball
by Karch Kiraly
Published 1999 by Human Kinetics Publishers

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780880118361

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Specific to off-court volleyball, this book covers all the important skills, techniques, training exercises, and competitive tips needed to win. 11 illustrations. 140 photos.

Big Girl in the Middle
by Gabrielle Reece
Published 1997 by Crown Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780517708354

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REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 05/27/1997

Reece explains that her career as an international model was taking a dive in any case when she abandoned it to play for Team Nike in the Bud Light Professional Beach Volleyball Tour in 1991. At 6'3" and weighing 175 pounds, she was certainly qualified physically for either calling. Writing with novelist and journalist Karbo (Trespassers Welcome Here), she begins each chapter with a bit of autobiography or an analysis of the female athlete in general andthe ways her own personality equips her for the role. The authors cover the league's 1996 season, from its start in Manhattan Beach, Calif., through New York and the Midwest to Santa Cruz, Calif. And a miserable season it was for Reece's team, with few victories and much changing of personnel in a frantic attempt to land the players who would establish the right chemistry. Yet through it all, we are told, Captain Reece maintained her perspective and her resolve to keep plugging away. This account should give a boost to the morale of female athletes. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (July)

Superstars of Men's Swimming (Oop)
by Paula Edelson
Published 1998 by Chelsea House Publications

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9780791045893

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Summer Olympics: The Definitive Guide to the World's Greatest Sports Celebration
by Clive Gifford
Published 2004 by Kingfisher

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780753456934

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08/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 4-8 -A strong, ambitious, and useful title. Each subject is presented on a spread introduced by an enticing paragraph and accompanied by colorful, active photographs and diagrams. Subtopics are handled in lengthy paragraphs dynamically arranged across the pages. A historical introduction is followed by topical arrangements of the significance of the Olympics; track-and-field events; water events; precision, strength, and combat events; and cycling, equestrian, ball, and racket sports. They often include quick facts on past notable athletes, Olympic records, and stop-motion computer illustrations demonstrating how the sport is played. Each entry provides enough information to satisfy most casual readers, but many events are just mentioned in passing. Between these chapters there are features on past Games considered of particular significance such as those held in Berlin, Mexico City, and Sydney, but specific Olympiads are mostly underrepresented. The final section features facts, figures, and Olympic anecdotes. Overall, this is a worthwhile general addition to most collections as its usefulness will extend past this summer's games.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Tennis Skills: The Player's Guide
by Tom Sadzeck
Published 2001 by Firefly Books

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781552094945

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Following the formula used successfully in "Golf Skills," "Soccer Skills" and "Hoop Drills," we introduce Tennis Skills, an in-depth look at stroke-production skills, followed by a series of drills designed and used by the pros. Games, sets and matches are won only with a strong foundation of skills, from groundstrokes, volleys, serves and lobs, to developing strategy for doubles. In Tennis Skills, the author begins by breaking down each stroke into its elements to ensure a player's basic skills are strong and consistent, including warm-up, grips, body position, stroke, footwork and follow-through. Then he offers a series of more than 40 drills that focus on target areas, strategy, coordination, pressure, and footwork. Court diagrams help players visualize a stroke's outcome, and easy-to-follow sequential photographs and diagrams accompany clear instruction. Action-packed, full color photographs of the world's greatest professional tennis players provide inspiration and motivation. "Master Stroke" sidebars offer succinct, easy-to-remember tips, "Fault Finder" boxes point out areas of common mistakes and "Coach's Comments" share the experience and wisdom of seasoned tennis pros.