Gemma Clarke is an incredible journalist and she’s the perfect person to write about the transformative forces in the women’s game because she is one herself. Her latest work, Soccerwomen: The Icons, Rebels, Stars, and Trailblazers Who Transformed the Beautiful Game, is truly special for a number of reasons.
First, this book allows Clarke to properly honor the past, present, and future leaders of women’s soccer. She recognizes the pioneers, advocates, activists, reformers, and icons of the past 125 years. Some were household names, the likes of Mia Hamm, Marta, Hope Solo, and Alex Morgan. Others, like Nettie J. Honeyball, Lily Parr, and Sylvia Gore, were deserving of attention and recognition but never really got it in their own time. This title rights a wrong and gives everyone a voice; it provides a platform for learning more about those that have done so much and received such little credit.
Second, Clarke made a choice to write 50 individual profiles and it works brilliantly. She is able to come up with an incredibly diverse set of subjects, from different times, different places, and different backgrounds. It is truly inclusive and that attention to detail is greatly appreciated. The 368 pages just fly by as you’re learning about the greats of the game, whether they be from England, U.S., and Canada or Pakistan, Nigeria, and China.
Third, the timing of this book is just perfect. This summer puts the Women’s World Cup in the spotlight and this book is the perfect complement to that event. You’ll hear about the great performances of the past, but you’ll also hear about the sacrifice and struggle of those that came before. There would be no Women’s World Cup without many of the brave, strong women in this book and this is a great way to honor them. You’ll also feel good about the present state of the game and you’ll never feel more optimistic about its future.
We’re sure there are other options, other stories about women’s soccer, but this one is different. This is a passion project, a way to give back to those who came before.
Clarke absolutely nails it and the result is one of the best titles of 2019, and more importantly, one of the best titles on women’s soccer ever written.
