Book

One Life

by Megan Rapinoe

📖 Overview

One Life is the memoir of soccer champion Megan Rapinoe, chronicling her path from a small California town to international sports stardom. The narrative traces her development as an athlete alongside her twin sister Rachael, through college soccer and into her professional career with the U.S. Women's National Team. The book details Rapinoe's experiences at the center of major movements for gender equality in sports, including the fight for equal pay in U.S. Soccer. Her decision to kneel during the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and her public stance on LGBTQ+ rights are explored in depth. Beyond sports, Rapinoe examines her personal evolution as an activist and public figure. Her relationship with basketball player Sue Bird, her family dynamics, and her growing understanding of social justice issues form key elements of her story. The memoir stands as a testament to how athletic achievement and social activism can intersect and amplify each other. Through Rapinoe's experiences, the book illustrates the ongoing struggles for equality in professional sports and society at large.

👀 Reviews

Readers see the book as part memoir, part call to social activism. Positive reviews highlight: - Raw honesty about coming out and fighting for equal pay - Balance of personal stories with larger social issues - Clear explanations of complex topics like systemic inequality - Engaging writing style that mixes humor with serious topics Common criticisms: - Too much focus on politics over soccer - Repetitive messaging throughout chapters - Self-congratulatory tone - Limited coverage of soccer career details Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "She brings the same energy to writing as she does to the field" - Goodreads reviewer "Expected more soccer, less preaching" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect mix of personal story and activism" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

📚 Similar books

Forward by Abby Wambach The memoir tracks the soccer champion's path from youth sports to Olympic medals while documenting her fight for gender equality in athletics.

What Is a Girl Worth? by Rachael Denhollander A former gymnast details her transformation into a survivor-advocate who exposed sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics and sparked institutional change.

Sum It Up by Pat Summitt, Sally Jenkins The legendary basketball coach shares her journey through the advancement of women's sports while facing personal and professional battles.

In the Water They Can't See You Cry by Amanda Beard An Olympic swimmer reveals the pressures of elite athletics and her struggle with depression behind the public success.

Breaking the Surface by Greg Louganis The Olympic diving champion chronicles his path through sports excellence while navigating discrimination and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in athletics.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Megan Rapinoe wrote this memoir while quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with journalist Emma Brockes remotely. 🏆 The book covers not just soccer, but Rapinoe's activism for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and equal pay - including the landmark 2019 lawsuit against U.S. Soccer. 📚 The title "One Life" was inspired by a Martin Luther King Jr. quote: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" ⚽ Rapinoe reveals she almost quit soccer in 2008 after being cut from the U.S. Women's National Team and suffering two ACL injuries. 🎨 The book's cover features Rapinoe's signature pink hair - a style choice she made in 2012 as a way to express herself and stand out on the field.