One Life
by Megan Rapino; Emma Brockes
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
Penguin Press
* Nonfiction * Memoir
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Megan Rapinoe is one of the world's most talented athletes. But beyond her massive professional success on the soccer field, Rapinoe has become an icon and ally to millions, boldly speaking out on the issues that matter most. In recent years, she's become one of the faces of the equal pay movement and her tireless activism for LGBTQ rights has earned her global support.
I only read a few memoirs a year, but this one caught my attention! Well-written and interesting, I am recommending it!
4 stars

Megan Rapinoe became REALLY famous as a soccer player. She then found herself the focus of tons of opinions, pro and con, when she stood up for Colin Kaepernick. They have a lot in common, being true social justice warriors.

In One Life, Megan tells her story from childhood to the present day. There is a lot of family drama, a few low points and some astronomically high points (2019 World Cup!), and just a boatload of unflinching honesty. Ms. Rapinoe is unapologetically herself, and is a solid role model. I loved it. Five stars. Thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

4/5 stars

I learned so much in this book and it only makes me like Megan even more as a human. I love her confidence to be unapologetically herself and it was really interesting to see how family dynamics responded to that. It’s fascinating that despite how much Megan and Rachael have in common, they approach things very differently, but are still so supportive of each other. I love that! This book felt really empowering and I’d recommend it especially to teens who are trying to find themself or are looking for a role model.

One of the things I really appreciate about Megan is that while she is unapologetically herself, she is also extending the ladder of success to others. I cannot stress how much it means to me that she is using her platform (including this book!) to call out issues in order to advance racial and social justice. The portion I found most gripping, was the fight for equal pay. What a frustrating situation and I cannot convey just how much admiration I have for these women on the USNWT. This is a long arduous process and their persistence gives me hope. Not only are they providing leadership for their team, but for women in sports, and women at large who deal with ongoing gender discrimination, and inequality regarding pay and working conditions. What an inspiring read!

This book covers the story of Megan Rapinoe's life, beginning with her childhood and following her soccer career up to the book's publication. One Life is told in Megan's words and expresses her unflinching desire and actions to stand up for social justice issues and her quest to use her celebrity for good purpose. I appreciate her straight and uncensored frankness - the book gives the reader a glimpse into Megan's personality and her beliefs. Anyone who loves women's soccer would enjoy this book as well as anyone who supports the causes of LGBTQ and racial equality.

Megan Rapinoe has had such a presence on social media through recent years and thus has become a true inspiration to young people everywhere. This book cements her as a true role model.

As the leader and star of the successful 2019 World Cup winning soccer team, Megan Rapinoe strikes while the iron is hot in coming out with this autobiography. She is as open and daring in revealing her life as she is with her social activism and aggressive play on the pitch. The book focuses on both her development and rise as one of women's soccer's greatest stars, to her growth in social awareness and her activism in LBGTQ and women's rights. Rapinoe may be brash and controversial, but she is rarely boring, and her self-portrait is honest and a compelling read for both soccer fans and for those interested in social justice issues. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the free advanced copy of this publication in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

‘One Life’ by Megan Rapinoe is inspiring, educational and powerful; a winner that captivated my interest from cover to cover.

Rapinoe begins with the global outcry of her kneeling in solidarity with Colin Kapernick (former QB of the San Francisco 49ers), in response to Kapernick’s and the WNBA’s protest against racial inequality and the oppression of black people in America. She immediately makes the reader aware of her privilege and platform to be able to speak out against these causes, including LGBTQAIP+ rights and equal pay, which is important to note, and greatly appreciated.

Before the biography delves into her activism, we learn of her childhood, upbringing and the beginnings of an exceptional football career. Rapinoe covers the major moments of her career – from glorious wins, heart-breaking losses, injuries and the many controversies – with such honesty, humour and openness, it almost feels as if we’re talking to one another in the same room as friends. I greatly appreciate learning about Rapinoe and her family’s life beyond the pitch and podium, and admire her outspokenness throughout the biography.

Rapinoe’s activism towards equal pay, LGBTQAIP+ rights and racial equality is beyond admirable. She fights as hard – if not harder, off the pitch than she does on the field. It is shocking to learn of sports organisations and (perhaps less surprising) the media who consistently downplay these issues to the point of banning kneeling for the national anthem, and silencing those (such as in the case of Kapernick) who dare to speak out against such atrocious inequalities. Rapinoe bravely and without fear, calls out these organisations and sports stars, such as Ronaldo and Tom Brady to do more (beyond ‘liking’ an Instagram post as a show of solidarity) and generates a rallying cry for people – including directly at the reader - to become more activist, antiracist, and educated in these causes.

The book concludes during the Covid-19 pandemic in the wake of Tokyo 2020’s cancellation, but it doesn’t feel like an end. The argument of equal pay, despite being fought for years, seems to still hang in the balance with Tokyo 2020; Kapernick remains unsigned – a career effectively ruined by the NFL organisation; LGBTQAIP+ rights are being contested; and the fight for racial equality continues. There is much more work to be done.

I would personally love to see a postscript added beyond Tokyo 2020, as well as images to really illustrate Rapinoe’s moments on and off the field. However, since reading ‘One Life’, I feel inspired to follow Rapinoe and the USWNT team with great interest, respect and admiration.

To end my review, one quote that personally really resonated with me, is as follows. I hope it shows a glimpse of the power that this book has:

“You hear people talk about how they gave up everything and made every conceivable sacrifice to reach their goal, which always makes me think: Where’s your passion and joy? This mindset makes winning a matter of life or death. It shouldn’t be. It’s OK to fail and move on. The most important thing is to hold on to joy.”

One life by Megan Rapinoe is a winner! Megan starts with the social media furor over what she thought was a small moment of solidarity to fellow athlete Colin Kaepernick. Then she goes back to her childhood, family life and the beginnings of her soccer journey. She covers the major moments of her soccer career from youth leagues and college, to representing the USA in the Olympics and World Cups. She also includes learning about social issues especially ones that impact her personally.

Megan is honest and engaging. She tells her story with humor and in your face outspokenness. I like her openness in discussing losing and injuries. I appreciate learning her reasons for taking a knee or speaking out for her causes. It never is about not loving her country as others suggest. She will always be known for her soccer skills but her lasting impact may be causes like equal pay and LGBTQ rights. I appreciate that she is aware of her privilege and the platform it gives her. My advance copy didn't contain photos (I hope the final book does). But I took the time to find pivotal soccer moments that I remember watching with millions of others. I also found the stunningly beautiful Body photos for ESPN.

This book isn't a tell all. But I feel I learned about Megan's life in a very frank and conversational way. The only downside is that it ends during the COVID19 pandemic shutdown. Perhaps there will be a postscript added after the 2021 Summer Olympics before publication. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.