Ways of Grace: Stories of Activism, Adversity, and How Sports Can Bring Us Together

by James Blake, Carol Taylor

Overview

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062354532
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/24/2018
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

James Blake has been a professional tennis player since 1999, when he left Harvard to join the professional tennis circuit. He grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut, and currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

Carol Taylor is a bestselling author who has written nine books. A former Random House book editor, she lives in New York.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Mistaken Identity 1

1 Early Trailblazers: Accidental Activists 27

2 Changing the Game: The Unifying Power of Sports 71

3 You Run Like a Girl: Gender Biases in Sports 117

4 Shut Up and Play: The Impetus and Social Ramifications of Sports Activism 133

5 More Than Just a Game: Sometimes the End Justifies the Means 169

6 A Personal Choice: The Athlete as Activist 189

Epilogue: The Power of Protest 207

Acknowledgments 219

Notes 221

Bibliography 227

Index 233

Editorial Reviews

“Ways of Grace displays not only [James Blake’s] character, but that of all of the athletes who have advocated for causes of social justice. This book reminds us all of the power of sports.” - Venus Williams
“James Blake offers a long-overdue and remarkably thoughtful look at the contributions that professional athletes from across sports have made to improve their corner of the world by using their voices no matter the risk.” - Barry Scheck, founder of the Innocence Project
“In Ways of Grace, [James Blake] proves the vital role athletes have played in furthering discussion around society’s most pressing issues. It is an inspiring and important work.” - John McEnroe
“Writing with poise and heart, James Blake gives us a timely look at how athletes have used their voices to stand up for what’s right...The stories in Ways of Grace offer important messages of hope…and demonstrate that sports have always been…an important vehicle for healing our divisions.” - Marc Lasry, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks
“’Ways of Grace’ came to life soon after Blake’s false and rather brutal arrest outside of a Manhattan hotel in 2015...[Blake’s] approach was to study the lives of many athletes who were unwilling to shut and up play. Many of the usual suspects are explored here, including trailblazer Jackie Robinson, tennis crusader Billie Jean King and, more recently, Colin Kaepernick. But Blake also digs deeper…Other men and women explored by Blake include Eritrean American distance runner Meg Keflezighi, gay NBA player Jason Collins and female jockey Julie Krone. Along the way he also seeks to sort out his own quest to balance life as an athlete with the desire to make a difference.” - San Francisco Chronicle
“’Ways of Grace’ came to life soon after Blake’s false and rather brutal arrest...[Blake’s] approach was to study the lives of many athletes…Along the way he also seeks to sort out his own quest to balance life as an athlete with the desire to make a difference.” - San Francisco Chronicle
“This book will appeal not only to sports fans who want to learn more about their heroes, but also for those seeking a better understanding of why sports matter in making the world a better place.” - Library Journal
“Blake’s new book offers examples of the power of sports to unify...Blake is using his platform to educate, inspire positive change, and support athletes who are committed to acting on their views and attempting to make a difference.” - Booklist
“Athletes have long been involved with social justice, but beyond a few high-profile exceptions, rarely are they celebrated for speaking out for their beliefs. James Blake offers a long-overdue and remarkably thoughtful look at the contributions that professional athletes from across sports have made to improve their corner of the world by using their voices no matter the risk.” - Barry Scheck, founder of the Innocence Project
“Both on and off the court, I’ve long known James Blake to be a person and a competitor who is always willing to stand up for what he believes. In Ways of Grace, he proves the vital role athletes have played in furthering discussion around society’s most pressing issues. It is an inspiring and important work.” - John McEnroe

From the Publisher