Written like an article more so than a story, this book highlights Serena's entire career. However, it's written from an outsider's view so there isn't much emotion. It's very matter of fact. If someone was doing research on Serena, this is a good compilation of events in her life.

When an athlete becomes known when just the first name is said – for example Tiger or LeBron – it is clear that the athlete would be not only a great player but well-known outside of sports as well. Serena Williams – hereafter referred to as "Serena" – has achieved this legendary status. This biography by sportswriter Merlisa Lawrence Corbett tells readers how she rose to the top of the tennis world and at the same time became a voice for social, racial and gender equality.

Readers who want to learn about Serena's tennis career will have good material at their disposal, especially in the first quarter of the book and also near the end when Serena made her comeback attempt after giving birth to her daughter. These sections read like long recaps of important matches and Grand Slam events that Serena won mixed in with many observations made by other writers, her father Richard and her older sister Venus.

Throughout the book, Lawrence Corbett will remind readers frequently of the sisterly love between Serena and Venus. This is especially noteworthy early in their respective careers as it was initially believed by many, including Richard, that Venus was the one who was going to be the tennis superstar. While Venus did end up having a very good career with multiple Grand Slam title, she was eclipsed by her younger sister, who at the time of publication has won 23 of these titles.

While the tennis makes for good reading, more of the book is dedicated to other aspects of Serena and her activism. It is noted that her savvy use of social media has helped to have an even bigger presence than other athletes who were also addressing racial and gender issues. Serena's successes are celebrated, such as getting all of the Grand Slam tournaments to offer equal purses for both men and women. Even Serena's marketing success and fashion tastes (also part of the marketing) are described in the book. These sections, while at times do repeat some talking points, nonetheless make very good parts of the book in which the reader will learn what makes Serena the international star that she is.
Lawrence Corbett does not shy away from addressing controversial topics such as the behavior of Richard, the booing of the two sisters at tournaments early in their careers and Serena's outburst at an official at the 2018 US Open finals when she was penalized a point. These subjects are presented in a fair manner without editorializing and therefore the reader can come to his or her own conclusion. While no biography is truly complete without interviews from either the subject or those close to the person, the research and writing in this book makes it one that is worth the time to read if a reader wants to learn the complete story of Serena.

I wish to thank Rowman and Littlefield for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Note: 3 ½ stars rating is rounded to 4 for Goodreads and NetGalley

I enjoyed this book - don't get me wrong, but felt the author didn't really know Serena as there are so many references to other books etc or where she got the information from to make it very enjoyable.

I have since looked up the author who is a sports journalist and now it all makes sense, but I wonder if they were closely connected or how much input if any, Serena actually had. The e-arc version I read, had no pictures which again detracted from the book and would hope if I read another biography/autobiography that the pictures would be included. Don't they say a picture is worth 1000 words and would have been great to see some of the growing up shots, early tournaments, but not a good enough book that I'd want to go out and buy it, based on what I have read. Too many references and not enough personal knowledge.

I would rather read an autobiography that Serena writes when she's a little older and her tennis career is actually over and find out where she goes from there.

I may be a bit cynical but always find it odd when someone brings out a book about themselves aged 23 about their life story, as they haven't really had enough time to live it.

Unfortunately the Serena Williams book doesn't compare to the last tennis based autobiography "Open" by Andre Agassi which was absolutely brilliant and I really am a big tennis fan of them both, however not so much of the Serena biography.

This reads as a very shallow biography with little depth on Serena, her life and career.. The authors style of writing seems very choppy and I felt like I was reading someone’s book report.