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General Recommendations

Off the Clock

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ACL_BookMatch

Alameda County Library

Staff-created list

You probably recognize their names from headlines and sporting events. But do you know anything about who they are off the field? Check out one of these biographies or memoirs about sports players past and present, and learn more about their lives and causes. Enjoy these suggestions? Looking for a new book to read? Book Match is a book recommendation program offered through AC Library. Check out the website at the top of the list to go to the Book Match page

By:

ACL_BookMatch

Alameda County Library

18 items

18 items

Book Match

https://aclibrary.org/book-match/

Web Resource

Fill out a survey with information about your reading tastes, and one of our Matchmakers will send you a personalized reading list within two weeks. You c...Show more Fill out a survey with information about your reading tastes, and one of our Matchmakers will send you a personalized reading list within two weeks. You can select a specific Matchmaker, or you can fill out a general survey and one of the Matchmakers will send you a list. Show less

Forward

Forward

A Memoir

by Wambach, Abby

Book - 2016

"Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. Named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2015, the soccer play...Show more "Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. Named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2015, the soccer player captured the nation's heart when she led her team to its recent World Cup Championship. Abby is a vocal advocate for women's rights and equal opportunity, pushing to translate the success of her team to the real world." Show less

"Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. Named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2015, the soccer play...Show more "Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. Named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2015, the soccer player captured the nation's heart when she led her team to its recent World Cup Championship. Abby is a vocal advocate for women's rights and equal opportunity, pushing to translate the success of her team to the real world." Show less

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Open

Open

An Autobiography

by Agassi, Andre

Book - 2009

"From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography." "From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography." Show less

"From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography." "From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography." Show less

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Proud

Proud

My Fight for An Unlikely American Dream

by Muhammad, Ibtihaj

Book - 2018

"Ibtihaj Muhammad's path to Olympic greatness has been marked with opposition and near-debilitating challenges because of her race, religion, and gen...Show more "Ibtihaj Muhammad's path to Olympic greatness has been marked with opposition and near-debilitating challenges because of her race, religion, and gender. As the only woman of color and the only religious minority on the U.S. women's saber team, she had to push past stereotypes, misconceptions, and negativity to find her own path to success and Olympic Glory. Her reflection provides an unflinching and honest portrayal of how she managed to stay true to herself and still play by the rules." Show less

"Ibtihaj Muhammad's path to Olympic greatness has been marked with opposition and near-debilitating challenges because of her race, religion, and gen...Show more "Ibtihaj Muhammad's path to Olympic greatness has been marked with opposition and near-debilitating challenges because of her race, religion, and gender. As the only woman of color and the only religious minority on the U.S. women's saber team, she had to push past stereotypes, misconceptions, and negativity to find her own path to success and Olympic Glory. Her reflection provides an unflinching and honest portrayal of how she managed to stay true to herself and still play by the rules." Show less

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The Sixth Man

The Sixth Man

A Memoir

by Iguodala, Andre

Book - 2019

... "The Sixth Man traces Andre's journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there....Show more ... "The Sixth Man traces Andre's journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there. But this is the story, too, of his experience of the conflict and racial tension always at hand in a professional league made up largely of African American men; of whether and why the athlete owes the total sacrifice of his body; of the relationship between competition and brotherhood among the players of one of history's most glorious championship teams." Show less

... "The Sixth Man traces Andre's journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there....Show more ... "The Sixth Man traces Andre's journey from childhood in his Illinois hometown to his Bay Area home court today. Basketball has always been there. But this is the story, too, of his experience of the conflict and racial tension always at hand in a professional league made up largely of African American men; of whether and why the athlete owes the total sacrifice of his body; of the relationship between competition and brotherhood among the players of one of history's most glorious championship teams." Show less

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28

A Photographic Tribute to Buster Posey

by Mangin, Brad

Book - 2022

"Longtime sports photographer Brad Mangin teams up with Buster Posey himself in this visual celebration of the star catcher's twelve seasons with the...Show more "Longtime sports photographer Brad Mangin teams up with Buster Posey himself in this visual celebration of the star catcher's twelve seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Packed with over 150 photographs, 28: A Photographic Tribute to Buster Posey captures Buster's entire career, from the first time he stepped foot onto the field for the Giants back in 2009 all the way to his final at-bat in 2021." Show less

"Longtime sports photographer Brad Mangin teams up with Buster Posey himself in this visual celebration of the star catcher's twelve seasons with the...Show more "Longtime sports photographer Brad Mangin teams up with Buster Posey himself in this visual celebration of the star catcher's twelve seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Packed with over 150 photographs, 28: A Photographic Tribute to Buster Posey captures Buster's entire career, from the first time he stepped foot onto the field for the Giants back in 2009 all the way to his final at-bat in 2021." Show less

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I Never Had It Made

I Never Had It Made

An Autobiography

by Robinson, Jackie

eBook - 2013

"Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jac...Show more "Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, striking a crucial blow for racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never Had It Made is Robinson's own candid, hard-hitting account of what it took to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues." Show less

"Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jac...Show more "Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, striking a crucial blow for racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never Had It Made is Robinson's own candid, hard-hitting account of what it took to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues." Show less

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One Jump at A Time

One Jump at A Time

My Story

by Chen, Nathan

Book - 2022

"In this exhilarating memoir, three-time World Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen tells the story of his remarkable journey to success, r...Show more "In this exhilarating memoir, three-time World Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen tells the story of his remarkable journey to success, reflecting on his life as a Chinese American figure skater and the joys and challenges he has experienced—including the tremendous sacrifices he and his family made, and the physical and emotional pain he endured." Show less

"In this exhilarating memoir, three-time World Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen tells the story of his remarkable journey to success, r...Show more "In this exhilarating memoir, three-time World Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen tells the story of his remarkable journey to success, reflecting on his life as a Chinese American figure skater and the joys and challenges he has experienced—including the tremendous sacrifices he and his family made, and the physical and emotional pain he endured." Show less

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Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr

A Life

by Howard-Cooper, Scott

Book - 2021

"Few individuals have had a career as storied, and improbable, as Steve Kerr. He has won eight NBA titles—five as a player and three as a coach—for t...Show more "Few individuals have had a career as storied, and improbable, as Steve Kerr. He has won eight NBA titles—five as a player and three as a coach—for three different franchises. He played alongside the best players of a generation, from Michael Jordan to Shaquille O’Neal to Tim Duncan, and learned the craft of basketball under four legendary coaches. He was an integral part of two famed NBA dynasties. Perhaps no other figure in basketball history has had a hand in such greatness." Show less

"Few individuals have had a career as storied, and improbable, as Steve Kerr. He has won eight NBA titles—five as a player and three as a coach—for t...Show more "Few individuals have had a career as storied, and improbable, as Steve Kerr. He has won eight NBA titles—five as a player and three as a coach—for three different franchises. He played alongside the best players of a generation, from Michael Jordan to Shaquille O’Neal to Tim Duncan, and learned the craft of basketball under four legendary coaches. He was an integral part of two famed NBA dynasties. Perhaps no other figure in basketball history has had a hand in such greatness." Show less

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Courage to Soar

Courage to Soar

A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance

by Biles, Simone

Book - 2016

"Simone takes you through the events, challenges, and trials that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the 2016 Olympic team." "Simone takes you through the events, challenges, and trials that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the 2016 Olympic team." Show less

"Simone takes you through the events, challenges, and trials that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the 2016 Olympic team." "Simone takes you through the events, challenges, and trials that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the 2016 Olympic team." Show less

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The Mamba Mentality

The Mamba Mentality

How I Play

by Bryant, Kobe

Book - 2018

"The NBA great nicknamed "The Black Mamba" shares his knowledge and understanding of basketball, outlining his detailed approach to prepari...Show more "The NBA great nicknamed "The Black Mamba" shares his knowledge and understanding of basketball, outlining his detailed approach to preparing both physically and mentally to succeed at the game and revealing the core of his "Mamba mentality." Show less

"The NBA great nicknamed "The Black Mamba" shares his knowledge and understanding of basketball, outlining his detailed approach to prepari...Show more "The NBA great nicknamed "The Black Mamba" shares his knowledge and understanding of basketball, outlining his detailed approach to preparing both physically and mentally to succeed at the game and revealing the core of his "Mamba mentality." Show less

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Let your Mind Run

Let your Mind Run

A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory

by Kastor, Deena

Book - 2018

"From an Olympic medalist runner and the record-holder in the women's marathon and half-marathon, a vividly inspirational memoir on using positive psychology and brain science to achieve unparalleled athletic success." "From an Olympic medalist runner and the record-holder in the women's marathon and half-marathon, a vividly inspirational memoir on using positive psychology and brain science to achieve unparalleled athletic success." Show less

"From an Olympic medalist runner and the record-holder in the women's marathon and half-marathon, a vividly inspirational memoir on using positive psychology and brain science to achieve unparalleled athletic success." "From an Olympic medalist runner and the record-holder in the women's marathon and half-marathon, a vividly inspirational memoir on using positive psychology and brain science to achieve unparalleled athletic success." Show less

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Coach Wooden and Me

Coach Wooden and Me

Our 50-year Friendship on and Off the Court

by Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem

Book - 2017

"In Coach Wooden and Me, Abdul-Jabbar reveals the inspirational story of how his bond with John Wooden evolved from a history-making coach-player men...Show more "In Coach Wooden and Me, Abdul-Jabbar reveals the inspirational story of how his bond with John Wooden evolved from a history-making coach-player mentorship into a deep and genuine friendship that transcended sports, shaped the course of both men's lives, and lasted for half a century." Show less

"In Coach Wooden and Me, Abdul-Jabbar reveals the inspirational story of how his bond with John Wooden evolved from a history-making coach-player men...Show more "In Coach Wooden and Me, Abdul-Jabbar reveals the inspirational story of how his bond with John Wooden evolved from a history-making coach-player mentorship into a deep and genuine friendship that transcended sports, shaped the course of both men's lives, and lasted for half a century." Show less

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One Life

One Life

by Rapinoe, Megan

Book - 2020

"The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion describes her childhood in a conservative California town, her athletic achievements, and her public advocacy of civil rights and urgently needed social change." "The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion describes her childhood in a conservative California town, her athletic achievements, and her public advocacy of civil rights and urgently needed social change." Show less

"The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion describes her childhood in a conservative California town, her athletic achievements, and her public advocacy of civil rights and urgently needed social change." "The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion describes her childhood in a conservative California town, her athletic achievements, and her public advocacy of civil rights and urgently needed social change." Show less

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In My Skin

In My Skin

My Life on and Off the Basketball Court

by Griner, Brittney

Book - 2014

"From the sports phenomenon - called by ESPN the world's most famous female basketball player - and youth role model comes an inspirational memoir ex...Show more "From the sports phenomenon - called by ESPN the world's most famous female basketball player - and youth role model comes an inspirational memoir exploring the highs and lows of her life, the bullying she endured, and the assumptions she has redefined, as well as her passion for the game, and empowering readers to be true to themselves and love who they are on the inside and out." Show less

"From the sports phenomenon - called by ESPN the world's most famous female basketball player - and youth role model comes an inspirational memoir ex...Show more "From the sports phenomenon - called by ESPN the world's most famous female basketball player - and youth role model comes an inspirational memoir exploring the highs and lows of her life, the bullying she endured, and the assumptions she has redefined, as well as her passion for the game, and empowering readers to be true to themselves and love who they are on the inside and out." Show less

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Hank Greenberg

Hank Greenberg

The Hero Who Didn't Want to Be One

by Kurlansky, Mark

Book - 2011

"Profiles the Jewish-American baseball player who, in 1934, risked his chance to beat Babe Ruth's home run record by sitting out a game on Yom Kippur, and describes his impact on Jewish-American history." "Profiles the Jewish-American baseball player who, in 1934, risked his chance to beat Babe Ruth's home run record by sitting out a game on Yom Kippur, and describes his impact on Jewish-American history." Show less

"Profiles the Jewish-American baseball player who, in 1934, risked his chance to beat Babe Ruth's home run record by sitting out a game on Yom Kippur, and describes his impact on Jewish-American history." "Profiles the Jewish-American baseball player who, in 1934, risked his chance to beat Babe Ruth's home run record by sitting out a game on Yom Kippur, and describes his impact on Jewish-American history." Show less

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Where Men Win Glory

Where Men Win Glory

The Odyssey of Pat Tillman

by Krakauer, Jon

Book - 2009

"Irrepressible individualist and iconoclast Pat Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract in May 2002 to enlist in the United States Arm...Show more "Irrepressible individualist and iconoclast Pat Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract in May 2002 to enlist in the United States Army. Deeply troubled by 9/11, he felt a strong moral obligation to join the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two years later, he died on a desolate hillside in Afghanistan. Though obvious to most on the scene that a ranger in Tillman's own platoon had fired the fatal shots, the Army aggressively maneuvered to keep this information from Tillman's family and the American public for five weeks following his death, while President Bush repeatedly invoked Tillman's name to promote his administration's foreign policy." Show less

"Irrepressible individualist and iconoclast Pat Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract in May 2002 to enlist in the United States Arm...Show more "Irrepressible individualist and iconoclast Pat Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract in May 2002 to enlist in the United States Army. Deeply troubled by 9/11, he felt a strong moral obligation to join the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two years later, he died on a desolate hillside in Afghanistan. Though obvious to most on the scene that a ranger in Tillman's own platoon had fired the fatal shots, the Army aggressively maneuvered to keep this information from Tillman's family and the American public for five weeks following his death, while President Bush repeatedly invoked Tillman's name to promote his administration's foreign policy." Show less

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Why Soccer Matters

Why Soccer Matters

by Pelé

Book - 2014

"" Soccer. Football. The beautiful game. The world's most popular sport goes by many names, but for decades, fans have agreed on one thing: the ...Show more "" Soccer. Football. The beautiful game. The world's most popular sport goes by many names, but for decades, fans have agreed on one thing: the greatest player of all time was Pele;. Now the legendary star, ambassador, and humanitarian shares a global vision for what soccer can accomplish. Now he shares his story, his experience, and his insights on the game for the very first time. Before Messi, before Ronaldo, before Beckham, there was Edson Arantes do Nascimento-known simply as Pele." Show less

"" Soccer. Football. The beautiful game. The world's most popular sport goes by many names, but for decades, fans have agreed on one thing: the ...Show more "" Soccer. Football. The beautiful game. The world's most popular sport goes by many names, but for decades, fans have agreed on one thing: the greatest player of all time was Pele;. Now the legendary star, ambassador, and humanitarian shares a global vision for what soccer can accomplish. Now he shares his story, his experience, and his insights on the game for the very first time. Before Messi, before Ronaldo, before Beckham, there was Edson Arantes do Nascimento-known simply as Pele." Show less

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