Home Sweet Hardwood is an inspirational, gut-wrenching and captivating story of a determined young woman's journey into the world of professional basketball under Title IX legislation. As a pioneer and the recipient of the first Title IX scholarship, Pat McKinzie breaks down barriers and paves the way for all women to participate in organized sports through her fierce determination, her natural, inherited athletic prowess and her sheer love of the game.

Once I started reading this memoir, I had a hard time putting it down. I was fascinated by this story as well as by the author's engaging, honest and, often times, humorous writing style.

She takes the reader on a journey through a childhood filled with colorful characters that come alive on the page -- her devoted parents, her siblings, her renowned paternal grandfather, fondly known as Coach Mac-- and we see how they shape her courage, determination and skill in playing basketball and in life.

This foundation serves as a launch pad for her ascent into the tumultuous and fledgling world of professional women's basketball. When she follows her dreams to France, we become a part of the Professional Women's Basketball League and travel with her through the series of challenges that left me cringing at the painful realities of the experience. Pat's perseverance through poverty, debilitating injuries,distance from family,difficult team members and managers and language barriers is a testimony to her strength and courage in her role as a trailblazer.

A car accident at the age of twenty-five ends her basketball career but not her love of the sport as she goes on to contribute her talents as a high school basketball coach In the meantime, a handsome Frenchmen steals her heart and she decides to marry him. One wonders how leaving her family who means so much to her could be tolerable but she maintains close contact with them and visits her beloved Wisconsin woods as often as she is able. Translating her skills on the court to her life, she makes it work.

Although I've never played basketball, I am an avid fan of the sport so I immediately connected with Pat's detailed descriptions of the game. But, even if you are not a basketball aficionado, this memoir will stir you and leave you in awe and admiration for a woman whose willingness to pay the high price it took to establish women's place on the court has blazed a trail for all women. ( )