The Match: Althea Gibson & Angela Buxton : How Two Outsiders--One Black, the Other Jewish--Forged a Friendship and Made Sports History

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this well written, funny, touching and historically fascinating book. The Match brings alive the early days of women's tennis, the friendship of Angela and Althea, and most interestingly the lack of opportunity and challanges Jewish and black players faced. Schoenfeld engages the reader with a great balance of these women's personal history in fascinating places and times (post-war London for Angela and Harlem for Althea)with exciting tennis moments.

Rating:
Summary: Succeeds On Many Levels
Review: In this one book, we get a picture of life in the 50s, tennis as it was before everyone turned pro, what it was like to be an outsider in the "genteel" country club world and the enigmatic personality of Althea Gibson who overcame seemingly impossible odds. The friendship between Gibson and Buxton is both touching, amusing and sad. You'll remember this book long after you finish the last page.