The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World
by Jere Longman

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Book Reviews of The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World

Book Review: Girls of the Century
Summary: 5 Stars

I persoanally, could not put this book down when I purchased it. I finished it in two days, it was just so up-lifting. It's a great motivational book. You always wish you were there to experience the moments that the team lived through. From country to country, trial to trial, this team is very special. If someone would like to know the US history of womens soccer, this is a perfect buy. I could picture myself there, it was detailed and deeply moving. I really enjoyed reading on the players whom fought so hard to gain respect and recognition.

I'm sure, if we saw the final game against China in 1999, we can all say where we were, and how we reacted. For many of us, such as I, we cried for joy. That game was the turning point in womens sports. And Longman made me remember once again what it was like to watch that game, and see the 90,000+ fans going wild after Brandy Chastain scored the final PK. It is a fantastic book for any soccer fan, man or woman. It is a book to read if you feel you need to be inspired. It's worth the buy.

Summary of The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World

Now with a new afterword, The Girls of Summer, by the award- winning New York Times sportswriter Jere Longman, takes a serious, compelling look at the women who won the 1999 World Cup and brings to life the skills and victories of the American team. Longman explores the issues this unprecedented achievement has raised: the importance of the players as role models; the significance of race and class; the sexualization of the team members; and the differences between men and women's sports. Provocative and insightful, this book reminds us that the real struggles are off the field -- and some remain to be won.

In The Girls of Summer, Jere Longman tells the story of the women's team, their rise to world dominance, and their struggle with the United States Soccer Federation (U.S.S.F.) for the support, respect, and salary they deserve. Drawing on extensive personal interviews recorded before, during, and after the World Cup, Longman offers up portraits of all the players on the team--Akers, Hamm, Chastain, Milbrett, Overbeck, and the rest. Longman also addresses some of the issues surrounding the team and the Women's World Cup--how U.S.S.F. and the national media seriously underestimated the level of interest the tournament would generate; the questions of race and sexuality; and the positive role models these women provided to a nation of young girls--showing them that they, too, could achieve their dreams.

Some of Longman's statements ring false--millions of Europeans would be appalled to hear soccer described as a "Third World sport"--but overall, Girls of Summer is a fine tribute to the world champions. --M. Stein

Biographies Books

• Books > Subjects > Sports & Outdoors
• Miscellaneous > Women in Sports
• Soccer
• Women's Studies