Staff Pick
Abby Wambach is a redwood in a forest of greats. As the all-time leading professional goal-scorer (female or male), perhaps she stands a bit taller than the rest. But to be a giant, to claim her place in the sun, it took navigating life’s imperfect demands, both on and off the field. Forward will give longtime fans more of the heart they’ve always loved, and those who are new to the game will be chanting “Ab-by! Ab-by!” while watching replays on repeat so that they, too, can be a part of the story. Recommended By D Lozano, Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. At age seven she was put on the boys' soccer team. At age thirty-five she would become the highest goal scorer—male or female—in the history of soccer, capturing the nation's heart with her team's 2015 World Cup Championship. Called an inspiration and "badass" by President Obama, Abby has become a fierce advocate for women's rights and equal opportunity, pushing to translate the success of her team to the real world.
As she reveals in this searching memoir, Abby's professional success often masked her inner struggle to reconcile the various parts of herself: ferocious competitor, daughter, leader, wife. With stunning candor, Abby shares her inspiring and often brutal journey from girl in Rochester, New York, to world-class athlete. Far more than a sports memoir, Forward is gripping tale of resilience and redemption—and a reminder that heroism is, above all, about embracing life's challenges with fearlessness and heart.
Review
"Forward is the powerful story of an athlete who has inspired girls all over the world to believe in themselves. In these pages, Abby is deeply honest about her professional and life challenges — and she shows us by example how to overcome problems and live a happier, braver life." Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, New York Times Bestselling author of Lean In
Review
"This is the best memoir I've read by an athlete since Andre Agassi's Open, but it is much more than a book about sports. It's a candid, moving account of the thrills and toils of achieving greatness—and then sustaining it. I could not put it down, and you will not want it to end." Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take
About the Author
Abby Wambach is an American soccer player, coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, and the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year. A six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, Wambach has been a regular on the U.S. women’s national soccer team since 2003, earning her first cap in 2001. As a forward, she currently stands as the highest all-time scorer for the national team and holds the world record for international goals for both female and male soccer players with 184 goals.