Martina Navratilova

I mentioned this already in a status update while reading this book but it really is so much more than just a biography.

Navratilova tells about both her personal life and her professional career but inevitably she provides a lot of background to history of where she grew up, too. As far as I know the history of Czechoslovakia as it was, or the Czech Republic and Slovakia now, if you like, does not feature much in taught history outside of the two countries. And even though many people have show more heard of the Prague Spring, I found it fascinating to read an account by someone who was actually there.

Of course, Navratilova has always been known for outspokenness about politics and social issues and it is no surprise that these also feature in the book - together with anecdotes about how her no-nonsense approach has landed her in hot water a few times.

Unlike other tennis biographies, Being Myself features tennis but does not dwell on recounting every single match and every single score. Instead she focuses more on people who have influenced her and does this without much name-dropping or mud-raking.

The only consideration I would make is that the book was published in 1985 and for obvious reasons tells only half the story. However, isn't it amazing to think how much still lay ahead for the woman who wrote this? show less

Hey, it's a book sorta written by my all time favorite tennis player, as a read it just called to me when I saw it on my library's shelf.

Unfortunately the novel wasn't quite as great as Ms. Navratilova's career. The story was simple enough. Jordan Myles a former woman's Grand Slam champion, retired, and a physical therapist at an exclusive sports training facility, well, she and her colleagues sort of lose the #3 women's player in the world (who's also an up and coming American teen show more sweetheart).

So, Jordan sets out to find out why the teen sensation really went missing. Instead she gets caught in a mystery/thriller journey through the tennis world.

That's the most interesting part of the story. 'Seeing' some of the behind the scenes stuff and the names of players that I've watched popping up too (though mostly never in the flesh, they use made up characters when they need famous tennis players for the 'in the flesh' parts of the story).

But, onto the less great things. There was way too much description. And not only that, but everything in the book, scene, jokes, dialogue, seems to go on just a little too long.

Still, it's not a bad mystery/thriller, but a middle of the road one. show less

"I never used to concentrate on concentrating. The way I had it figured was that whenever I really needed to settle down and focus in for the match, all I had to do was turn it on. It was not long after this cherished belief was shattered that I learned the ugly truth about the Easter Bunny being a phony."

Tennis My Way was published in 1983. A lot of things have changed in the tennis world since then and you might expect that the book and the advice given is dated, but you would be show more surprised. Martina covers the basics, the fundamentals, the essentials, and reading the book I found I - quite naturally - compared her advice to the instructions I have been given over the years by various coaches and fellow players. (For the record, I only play recreationally, and not very well at that. I just like the sport.) Anyway, the advice pretty much still amounts to the same. So, reading this relatively short volume now, just over thirty years after it was written, was as informative as reading any current book. Of course, I'd rather read this one anyway simply because it was written by someone who has been somewhat of an inspiration.

Aside from explanations of how to train, how to prepare for matches, the psychology of play, and how holding the racket in different ways will impact on your shot (all with pictures), I also loved the personal asides that reveal some of her own story.
As mentioned, I have been a fan for many years. Not just of watching her play but also of her no-nonsense approach to, well, just about anything.

"Choosing the proper frame is a highly individualistic business, one that requires a bit of experimentation. With so much to choose from these days in terms of racket size, weight, material, and balance, it becomes a question of what you alone find yourself most comfortable with. There seems to be too much emphasis placed on the brand names of rackets, and certainly on the prices. Do not buy a racket solely for status. A three- or four-hundred-dollar racket may not do a thing for your game, but a forty-dollar racket may bring out your best tennis. If the racket you use gives you a sense of confidence, chances are it is just fine."

I think pricing of rackets may have changed since 1983, but the point remains the same. show less

In this second book in the Jordan Myles mysteries we start the story in Paris at the French Open. She's at a party thrown by a talent agency when a woman comes falling through the ceiling and into a shallow pool. Jordan's there first of course, though the woman seems beyond her help.

From there it gets much more complicated with old friends and rivals coming back into (and out) of her life, as well as some newcomers appearing.

Again, it's both a mystery and a bit of a thriller, and not badly show more written. And, the beginning, the woman dropping into the party through the ceiling, was quite a hook.

And, while it was a little better, there was still way too much description. I think that the authors idea was, why use one word when three could be used. Or, why just simply describe a room when every little unneeded detail could be in there.

Still, it was an interesting mystery, it just seemed to drag more than flow. show less