All In

An Autobiography

By: Billie Jean King, Johnette Howard, Maryanne Vollers

Narrated by: Billie Jean King

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of the champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice.

In this spirited account, Billie Jean King details her life's journey to find her true self. She recounts her groundbreaking tennis career - six years as the top-ranked woman in the world, 20 Wimbledon championships, 39 grand-slam titles, and her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes". She poignantly recalls the cultural backdrop of those years and the profound impact on her worldview from the women's movement, the assassinations and anti-war protests of the 1960s, the civil rights movement, and, eventually, the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

She describes the myriad challenges she's hurdled - entrenched sexism, an eating disorder, near financial peril after being outed - on her path to publicly and unequivocally acknowledging her sexual identity at the age of 51. And she talks about how her life today remains one of indefatigable service. She offers insights and advice on leadership, business, activism, sports, politics, marriage equality, parenting, sexuality, and love. She shows how living honestly and openly has had a transformative effect on her relationships and happiness. Hers is the story of a pathbreaking feminist, a world-class athlete, and an indomitable spirit whose impact has transcended even her spectacular achievements in sports.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of Appendices from the book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Billie Jean King (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

One of the Best Books of the Year: Washington Post, The Guardian

“A constant role model in my life, Billie Jean King is a leading example of integrity in the face of adversity. The book’s powerfully honest and unapologetic candor is a reflection of King’s brilliant mark on the world and the glass ceilings she shattered. It’s a story about the personal strength, immense growth, and undeniable greatness of one woman who fearlessly stood up to a culture trying to break her down.” (Serena Williams)

“What resonates with me most deeply in All In are the little-known stories [King] tells of incidents that forged her character and steeled her resolve when she was 11 and 12, growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Long Beach, Calif., and trying to figure out her place in the world, too.... At 77, King is not a former tennis champion on a late-life victory tour. She is a woman who approaches each day with an open heart and clear intention.” (Liz Clarke, Washington Post)

“True to its title, All In is bracingly candid. Alongside the sporting and political battles, it tells of the eating disorder from which Ms. King suffered, a sexual assault she experienced as a teenager, and the whirlwind of being outed as a lesbian by a former lover in 1981. Ms. King does nothing by half-measures - so much the better for readers, sport, and the many women she encouraged and empowered.” (The Economist)

If you’re even thinking …

… about reading this book then DO IT! It’s fantastic and Billie in her own voice makes it even more especially wonderful.

Superb book ! Thoughtful and insightful

Billy Jean Moffit King is a legion. Her life is so interesting and she is a real fighter. The book is long but brilliant and read by the author.
Such a life well lived. She is truly an inspiration to us all.

Fantastic

Great book. Love that BJK narrates. This was an amazing turning point for women athletes and women anything. BJK helped open doors for so many women in so many venues. Loved hearing the backstory.

Thank you Billie Jean

Very inspiring, very truthful, genuine, heartful. Im glad that Im in this world with people like Billy Jean

Wow!! What a complicated amazing person

Billy Jean King is and was a force to be reconned with. She does such a wonderful job telling her life story. Loved how hard she worked for her tennis and humanitarian work.

Inspiring, honest story

Loved hearing BJK reading her encouraging story. I feel like we became friends through these hours of her story and I will miss her. What a wonderful woman!

She’s as great a story teller as she is a tennis champion

This book was fun, funny, educational, wholehearted, vulnerable. It made me love Tennis more which I didn’t think was possible. I understood so much about our civil rights and women’s rights struggles. I’m so grateful for her work. This was thoroughly enjoyable.

What a life!

Loved it. I couldn't stop listening. With Billie Jean as narrator was a bonus. I wish people knew what a remarkable change in tennis and the world Billie Jean made and the struggles she went through. She is so brave and has a determination that is second to none. She has always been and will always be my tennis hero.

Loved hearing the author's voice

Billie Jean narrated her own autobiography. She wasn't the best at narrating, but it was wonderful to hear her tell her own story. And it was incredibly interesting! I'll never forget her playing tennis against Bobbie Riggs when I was only nine years old. That was a night in front of the television that is imbedded in my memory.
She lead an incredibly tumultuous, frenzied life. I was happy to hear her say that she has found true happiness and comfort, now that she has taken steps to combat the various ghosts in her closet. So glad I bought this one!

So Inspirational!

I don’t usually read biographies, but I heard Billie Jean King on Marc Maron’s podcast and was intrigued. I bought the book, too, but mostly listened on audible. How amazing to have her read this wonderful book! I laughed, I cried, I identified, and it made me feel closer to my late mother (just a few years older than BJK), who, like so many women of that generation (especially those who were/are passionate about sports) were denied their true potential and fought so hard for my generation (X) and beyond to realize theirs. I cannot over-emphasize how inspired and just filled with joy this book made me feel. I’m so grateful for Billie Jean King. Note: I played some high school tennis, so I really got into the play-by-plays and talk about the players I followed growing up. Fascinating!