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)

Wonderful Book

Billie’s autobiography is complex and personal. I laughed, teared up and felt grateful that a woman like her exists.
I usually believe authors should not narrate their own books. I haven’t changed my stand but the four or five times a deep painful emotion could be heard in her voice, added even more gravitas to the story.
For a tennis fan, as I am, Billie is living history (her story?) and tells it well. She is a generation ahead of me in age and hearing the details about the players of her tennis generation was very interesting.
The writing is not brilliant but hearing this incredible woman tell it in her own words, earned a nearly perfect rating.

A true champion for all. Really.

Though I wasn’t sure what to expect this book far exceeded my imagination. BJK wrote a compelling, authentic and transparent account of her life’s journey so far. It was thrilling to learn the depth and breadth of her accomplishments on the court and off. Her lifelong work for equity and social justice is impeccable. She is always working intently on what issue is in front of her-her perseverance and commitment is truly beyond imagination. I’ve always viewed her as a hero, but now she’s elevated to Super Hero in my heart.

Double Fault!

I love and admire Billie Jean King. However, this audiobook was quite disappointing. The prose is plodding at times, and needs polish. Billie Jean speaks from the heart, and often from the gut...However, this 18 hour narrative could have or rather should have been read by a professional reader. - Drue Bates

Beautiful and vulnerable

I just loved this story and Billie Jean's honesty in telling it. I will have to listen one more time because she had such good advice about dealing with internal struggles.

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.

Freedom

Don’t miss this book.

You think you’ve read it all about how to be honest and do good? Reading this book gives a person a new start on integrity because hope an action are precisely dictated by Billie Jean Kong.

Thanks

Awesome biography of a wonderful human

Very thankful Ms King shared her story in this well-written book. She is the best kind of role model. We forget how things were, how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. Her steadfast vision for equality for all is inspiring.

Loved this Inspirational book !!!

I was in high school during the height of Billie Jean’s career and the Battle of the Sexes tournament..
I knew she was a great tennis player but had no idea what a champion of human rights she was. I received quite the education from this book & such A plus with Billie Jean doing a great job as the author narrating her book. Highly recommend!

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.

Phenomenal!

Outstanding! The best audible book I have ever purchased. Highly recommend this one. Going to buy a hard copy, too! So much respect for BJK. SO. MUCH.
❤🤍💙👏🏼