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November 7, 2008 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

eveningsout

King bio is a graceful memoir of the 'Battle of the Sexes'

Pressure is a Privilege | by Billie Jean King

with Christine Brennan

Lifetime Media, $19.95, hardcover

Reviewed by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Once upon a time, women were expected to be demure. It was unthinkable for a woman to have an opinion on world events, and even more unbelievable that she might voice it in the presence of a male.

Until 1920, women in the United States weren't allowed to vote. In the not-so-distant past, a woman couldn't get credit without a man as co-signer. And just two generations ago, only boys' sports were funded in school.

Knowing that Court's loss could affect America's opinion of women in sports as well as the acceptance of Title IX (which requires high schools and colleges to spend federal money equally on males and females), King agreed to Riggs' challenge.

Riggs-no pun intended-met his match.

In this book, Billie Jean King writes about her family and her parents, who sacrificed and supported their children's passions. She writes about wonderful friendships with other athletes and with

Hollywood and music stars, reminding readers that making and nurturing relationships is "everything".

King says to give your all in whatever you do but give yourself time to celebrate victories-visualize what you want to happen to ensure that it does; avoid labeling people before you get to know them; keep life in perspective; maintain your integrity; and always consider pressure a privilege. Without it, you can't grow.

Has it been 35 years already since Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs? Sure enough, and this book brings it all back.

Partly about that monumental game, partly about her life, and partly a gentle book of advice, Pressure is a Privilege is thoughtful and surprisingly humble. King writes with a quiet voice that is proud of her accomplishments but not arrogant. After a summer of boastful books, this skinny tome was very refreshing in its lack of "look at

me."

Don't think that this book is for the sports-minded only. Pressure is a Privilege is more about how to live with grace. Ask for it at your local bookstore, and make a racquet 'til you get it.

PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE

Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes

Billie Jean King

with Christine

Brennan

Preface by Holly Hunter

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And then came Billie Jean King. In her new book Pressure is a Privilege, she writes about her life, her beliefs, her family, and how she helped pave the way for Mia Hamm, Michelle Wie, Venus and Serena Williams, and millions of little girls who yearned for equality in their games.

Almost everyone over 40 rernembers the Battle of the Sexes. Sports-minded girls were cheering for Billie Jean King. Swagger-filled boys were sure Bobby Riggs could beat King in a best-of-five tennis match. What many kids didn't know was that the way they'd play school sports was about to change.

King, who in 1981 became the first major female athlete to come out of the closet, says that Riggs had been asking her for a match for months. He was eager to go head-to-head with one of tennis' top women players; he had, in fact, challenged several women to a match. Finally, top-ranked (in 1973) Margaret Court agreed to a televised match and was trounced in 57 minutes.

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