Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? [Paperback]

Jane Gottesman (Author), Penny Marshall (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2003

On playing fields and street corners, in backyards and gyms, the people in this arresting array of pictures are unselfconsciously exploring the physical and emotional pleasures of competition and play. Each image offers an affirming and satisfying answer to the question at the heart of Game Face: What do girls and women look like when freed from traditional feminine constraints, using their bodies in joyful and empowering ways?

To show America what women’s sports looks like, Jane Gottesman searched through the work of our country’s best photographers, from the newest photojournalists to artists such as Annie Leibovitz and Ansel Adams. The result is a unique and inspiring document of the tremendous impact that the growth of female sports at all levels is having on society—and on women themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A friend was looking for a great book for a young woman, to help ease her into adulthood. The usual fiction fare came to mind, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, To Kill a Mockingbird, and so on. Then I came across Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? and immediately decided this was the perfect choice for a preteen girl. In fact, it's a great addition to your mother's coffee table, your best friend's bookshelf, and your sister's "girls rule" collection.

Created and edited by Jane Gottesman, and including a foreword from Penny Marshall, this book takes you on a romp through women in sports from the 19th to the 21st century. The pictures capture superstar athletes like Serena Williams and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, along with small-town sports victors like the determined young "tomboy on a skateboard." The photographs range from showing the agony of defeat to the gritty triumph of victory on the faces of women from all around the world. It's a truly magnificent display of woman power on the field and court, in the ring and stadium, and beyond. Definitely recommended for all the "girlz" in your life. --E. Brooke Gilbert --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-This collection of black-and-white photographs features female athletes-amateurs and professional; team and individual standouts; stars of the past and present; portraits and snapshots; and young and old-engaged in various physical endeavors. The theme is variety and progress in women's sports. Each photo is accompanied by an identification of the sport, occasionally with a quote from the player depicted. Interspersed throughout are one- or two-page narratives. One is written by Kristi Yamaguchi's mother. Another is by an athlete who is herself a mother, Carla Overbeck, captain of the U.S. soccer team that won the Women's World Cup in 2001 and the Olympic gold medal in 1996. The book's jacket photo is of the now-famous Brandi Chastain after her winning World Cup penalty shot. The vivid and sometimes inspiring photos are to be noted for depicting more unusual sports for women, such as weight lifting, wrestling, and the discus throw. Just as appealing are spontaneous scenes from households or neighborhood settings showing individual games or informal pick-up activities. A foreword by Penny Marshall, film director of A League of Their Own, and the introduction stress the long way women's sports have come. Throughout the writings there is an emphasis on the freedom and progress that has been achieved since the passage of Title IX in 1972. Although the final segment, "Snapshots from Women's Sports History," begins in 1827, it is particularly interesting to follow the highlights from the past 30 years. A welcome and timely addition for sports' collections.

Frances Reiher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812968689
• ISBN-13: 978-0812968682
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Women in Sports

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book to own and give to others!, June 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? (Hardcover)

Gameface is a terrific, fun, and interesting book for people of all ages.

I am 39 and loved reading the essays, the history, and the photos of women in action. I was inspired!

Last night, when some family friends were over, people who are more "intellectuals" than "sports enthusiasts" -- they wouldn't leave because EVERYONE IN THEIR FAMILY -- AGES 12 TO 65 WANTED THEIR CHANCE TO READ THE BOOK!!

The 64 year old father, an amateur photographer, wanted to look at every page and commented on the vast array of excellently selected pictures.

The 65 year old mother said she was just beginning to go to a gym and liked the pictures of the women and girls, young and old.

Their 19 year old basketball playing daughter loved the book -- she was looking at the pictures, reading the essays, commenting on women, sports, asking questions, etc. Watching her, I was convinced that I would buy this book to give to people I know... for it really strikes a chord with people to see girls and women in a positive light, playing hard, looking like real people! (with wonderful quotes next to the pictures.)

And their 12 year old son, he wanted his turn too -- he thought the book was "cool" and talked about the girls on the teams he is on -- and how they are very serious!

I highly recommend this book to entire families -- and certainly women of my age who played sports in high school and today try to stay active. It is a terrific! (I hope to see the exhibit in Washington DC too -- or when it travels to my city)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Content; Great Art, July 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? (Hardcover)

These amazing photos of women in action not only honor women who've broken barriers, they contribute to a new definition of "woman" and "girl." The book goes way beyond the ordinary -- it includes pictures of famous athletes and athletes we've never heard of, young stars and veteran competitors. The text adds terrific insight into what the subjects were thinking; my favorite was the story of a woman who went out for her high school football team and told her parents the day of the game that she wouldn't be sitting with them in the stands. I'm buying "Game Face" for every teenage girl - maybe every woman - I know!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book!, July 8, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? (Hardcover)

This book is amazing! I'm getting this book for every woman on my holiday list. Really fairly priced. The quality of the book is great.