|
| The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova - Their Rivalry, Their Friendship, Their Legacy: Chris Evert Vs. Martina Navratilova - Their Rivalry, Their Friendship, Their Legacy | 
 enlarge | Author: Johnette Howard
Publisher: Yellow Jersey Press
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £6.39
You Save: £1.60 (20%)
New (4) from £3.38
Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 244101
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0224075063
EAN: 9780224075060
ASIN: 0224075063
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
Gives a rounded picture of both ladies July 14, 2008
A well written account of the rivalry and friendship between these giants of 70s/80s tennis. It brings both subjects across as three dimensional human beings, not the stereotypical images that were linked to both of them for so long. The author has some interesting and quite shocking things to say about male attitudes towards the early Open era women's tennis tour as well.
 couldn't put it down January 27, 2007
This is a very well-written account not just of the extraordinary lives of Navratilova and Evert, but of the great changes happening in professional tennis in the 1970's. Martina's story is more exciting and turbulent - her defection during the Cold War, discovery of her homosexuality when society was less tolerant, and her physical transformation to maximise her natural talent. Chrissie's story is more of a coming of age, she started out as a naive 16-year-old phenom who grew up on the tour. The book emphasizes her legendary mental toughness, she had early success and had to change her game in response to the arrival of Austin and Navratilova. But the book also talks about their personal lives, the relationships they've had, their emotional strengths and weaknesses. What I enjoyed most are the background stories, Billie Jean King's fight for a women's tour, the camarederie that existed among players back then, Howard tells these stories so well and it sounds like an amazing atmosphere to have been part of. In a way it was the golden age of tennis, the game has changed so much (more money, more competitive players with their own entourages and seem more isolated from each other) that I cannot imagine that atmosphere being possible today. Overall, a very enjoyable read!
A great sporting read February 4, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I only caught the end of the Navratilova-Evert rivalry, by which time it was definitely Martina who was out ahead but it was fascinating to read the full story. It is pretty amazing to think how many times, particularly in finals, they faced each other. Especially in such a tough mental sport like tennis, it's impressive that they remain friends. Where have rivalries like this gone? It makes me wonder whether the Seles-Graf rivalry could have been a smaller version of this if it wasn't for the stabbing incident.
 A good idea poor execution September 5, 2005
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I waiting with bated breath for this book having grown up during this era of women's tennis, but I was really disappointed. The book is a very dry read which is a shame as it had the potential to be as exciting as the matches it describes. It was so turgid to read that I wasn't able to finish it.
utterly compelling... July 25, 2005
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Tremendous read. If names like Borg, McEnroe, Connors, Vitus Gerulaitus and, er, Betty Stove still mean anything to you, just the tennis angle would be enough - great stories from the days when sports people still came with personalities fitted as standard. But add to that the emancipation of the women's game from which the protagonists benefitted (and the heroic efforts of Billie Jean King in particular), gay liberation (amazing to remember how constrained we were only 30 years ago), politics, the Cold War and Navratilova's defection, and the story becomes completely compelling. None of this obscures the core story however, which is the contrast in styles, attitudes and fortunes of Evert and Navratilova... both emerge as admirable but in contrasting and unexpected ways. Read it in a day (on holiday admittedly)... highly recommended.
|
|
|
Learn how to have your own
Amazon Shop
Travel Maps and Guides
zeugma
| | Holiday Travel |
alpharooms.com for cheap holiday deals in spain and worldwide
Disneyland Paris for a great family holiday or short break.
Holday Cottages throughout Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland and France with Cottages4you
Hilton - need we say more, you will find Hilton Hotels in most areas throughout Britain, in cities and in the countryside.
Don't forget Travel Insurance
Airport Parking
|
|
|
|
