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Althea Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year Award
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year award is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports writing and was first awarded in 1989. Sally H. Jacobs’ ALTHEA is one of six books to make the judges’ shortlist in 2023.
The winner will be announced on live stream on Twitter @BookiePrize from 1.30pm GMT, live from BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London.
WFAE: The life of legendary tennis player Althea Gibson explored in new book
“[Author] Sally Jacobs had not heard of her when it was suggested Gibson become her next subject for a book.… ‘So for me, it was a long journey and a fascinating one learning about who [Althea Gibson] was and what she did.’”
Gwendolyn Glenn, “The life of legendary tennis player Althea Gibson explored in new book,” WFAE 90.7, October 5, 2023.
People Magazine: Gracefully chronicles Gibson’s triumphs
“Jacobs gracefully chronicles [Gibson’s] triumphs on- and off-court.”
Marion Winik, "New in Nonfiction," People Magazine (print edition), August 21, 2023.
WaPo: Althea Gibson’s legend deserves to be one of our biggest
“Two new biographies capture the athletic greatness and the funny, exuberant personality of the undersung pioneering tennis champion.
... “Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson,” by Sally H. Jacobs, encapsulates just how fearless and confident Gibson was, both on and off the court.... Jacobs, a journalist by trade, has the firsthand accounts of more than 100 people, including multiple (mainly White) octogenarian peers of Gibson. ... [B]oth [authors] expound upon the political lay of the land and the complicated relationship Gibson had with the Black community.”
Patrick Sauer, “Althea Gibson’s legend deserves to be one of our biggest,” Washington Post, August 23, 2023.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Don’t miss this biography
“Sports fans, don’t miss this biography. Black history scholars, you want it. Tennis lovers, there’s a lot of tennis here, so make a racquet for it. “Althea” is a grand slam.”
Terri Schlichenmeyer, “Book Review: "Althea" tells the almost-forgotten story of the first Black women in tennis,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug 22, 2023.