| Title | : | The Dollar Rebellion: How Billie Jean King and the Original 9 Became the Change They Wanted to See |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Audible Audio |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published November 19, 2020 |
The Dollar Rebellion: How Billie Jean King and the Original 9 Became the Change They Wanted to See Reviews
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Nice and short history of women’s tennis and the Original 9. I love Billie Jean King and liked listening to her own words. To be honest, I didn’t learn anything new because I already know so much about tennis history.
I would recommend this short audiobook (1.5 hours) to a tennis newbie. If you’re familiar with the sport, it’s still worth a listen to hear Billie’s voice. The last third of the audiobook is not about tennis history and more about motivational words re: social change/feminism/protest (which is fine! But I was hoping for something more in-depth about the tennis history and that part was a bit sparse in the second half of the audiobook).
Read via audible plus (narrated by the author). -
Her stories were interesting, but the book felt scattered
I’ve read a few books on Billie Jean King, and find her story really inspiring, so I was disappointed to find this book lacked direction after the initial (and very rushed) history of her life up to the creation of the Slims league. While her advice at the end was all good advice, it seemed very scattered and stream of consciousness, which just isn’t my style. Overall, it was an enjoyable enough book, but I had hoped for more info on the women’s league and not just the bullet points view. -
I'm not a tennis fan, but I grew up in the 70s and 80s, and my classmates often did biography book reports on Billie Jean King. I knew that she worked toward equality in tennis - I've seen her mentioned with regard to the current negotiations with U.S. Soccer and the women's team - but I didn't know the details, and I didn't know who else was involved.
After listening to this Audible Audio, I know a little more, but I feel like I'm still missing a lot. It's definitely aimed at listeners who know their tennis history and/or tennis pros, and I'm not that person. A few of the Original 9 speak briefly at the beginning of the recording, but then don't speak again the rest of the show, and I'm never certain who they are or what they accomplished in tennis before or after the Dollar Rebellion.
But it's a nice glimpse of King, her childhood and her career and her feelings about (liberal) political events in 2020. She's remarkably well-spoken for her age, even if she did look up dates or names in preparation for the taping. I enjoyed what she had to say about herself and the events she was involved in. My only disappointment is the last 15 minutes, during which she gives advice for other people who are activists, based on her own experiences, and she reflects on the things going on in 2020. I don't mind her viewpoints, but it seems very disorganized and repetitive in some parts, and that's something that could have been fixed in the editing room, but wasn't. -
There is a great deal of important history here and this history needs to be known and understood now, particularly since much of it connects to civil rights battles being waged today.
But all the good stuff comes within a lot of rambling and pontificating. This is no book being read, but Audible's trick of turning podcasts into audiobooks. And they don't even do that right. It sounds like a couple of interviewers got Ms. King tipsy and asked her questions to get her rolling, then cut what they had to a manageable two hours.
It is good to get Ms. King's perspective on the creation of the WTA, her famous match against Bobby Riggs, and the sexism plaguing sports then and today. But one must wade through a lot to get it. -
I really enjoyed this short Audible performance narrated by Billie Jean King. Though I'm sure it was scripted, it had the effect of a very personal interview with the author and didn't sound "narrated" but rather like a more casual conversation with the audience. Though most of us know her as the feminist who beat Bobby Riggs, there's so much more to her story about competing in the tennis world when professional women players were almost non-existent. She helped to build the sport to the mostly level playing field that it is today.
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This is an Audible original in which Billie Jean King talks about the beginnings of women’s professional tennis. Nine women, including King, signed $1 contracts to play in the first tournament, forcing recognition of their sport. I was fascinated with the history and stories in this - what women before us went through in order to give us the [much better] equity we enjoy now. Easy to listen to and well worth it.
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This is an Audible original in which Billie Jean King talks about the beginnings of women’s professional tennis. Nine women, including King, signed $1 contracts to play in the first tournament, forcing recognition of their sport. I saw her on Good Morning America this week talking about this audio production. I am counting this for #Nonfiction2020 Bingo card for the topic of Women’s Rights.
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I admit I don't know a ton about Billie Jean King other than she is known for her activism and as a great tennis player. This was an interesting story but this was a small glimpse into it all. I'll be interested to learn more. It would have been cool to have more insight on this from others from the original 9 and what they experienced too.
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This felt a bit too pandemic-fillery for my taste. Should the Original 9 have been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame? Sure. (At least the HoF thought so, because the group was in fact inducted shortly after this audible short was released). But the "dollar rebellion" story has been told ad nauseum and this didn't really add anything new to the conversation. It felt a bit like "well, the Original 9 have been nominated to the HoF and we're all just waiting around during this Pandemic to see if they get in, so let's retell their story...again."
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An inspirational and inspiring story of standing up for what you believe in, as well as partnering. You hear from several of the women who describe a much different time than now and what it took to change things and the good people who supported them.
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An inspiring history of just how much ground work has been laid by the females before us, to try and gain equity in sports. Still a long way to go, but listening to Billie Jean King makes all things seem within reach!
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I never knew how pivotal the Original 9 were in women's tennis history. A great short listen!
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As a wannabe tennis star, this was super interesting. I learned a lot from this. Such a great example of 9 determined women - girl power!
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A famous story of an American challenge told in the unmistakably singular voice of the woman who started it all. Really made me feel like I had a part, a stake, in the game.
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4,5 ⭐️ really inspiring. I gave it 4,5 because I wanted this to be longer and I would like to have a hard copy as well.
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3/5/21 2.6 I agree with every word she said, but it was a little rambly
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Great listen about the history-making women tennis players who fought for their rights in the 1970s.
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Great short read about leadership. So great to hear BJK read it for all of us.
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great story read by BJK. so informative and interesting about the pioneers of womens sports
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Very informative and interesting
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Excellent short book - really enjoyed this. She's a hero and inspiration.
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Not what I was anticipating. I thought this would profile some of the other women who were responsible for starting the WTA. I’ve hear BJK’s story and it’s great but I was curious about the others.
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Not really a read book. This is more a podcast. Interesting to hear her put out a short memoir and setting out of her philosophical stall. The other 8 don't get much of a look in. In fact, not a great deal of detail; just a few insights, particularly in respect of her formative years. There is a really good film about the same central subject matter with Emma Stone which is worth a watch.
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Interesting history but very scattered storytelling. Could’ve used some better producing/editing.
