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Black and White: The Way I See It
The fascinating, revealing, and in-depth memoir of Richard Williams, a self-made businessman, tennis coach, and father to two of the greatest athletes of all time—Venus and Serena Williams.
He’d set his mind to raise two of the greatest women champions in professional tennis well before they could even hold a racket. The father of Venus and Serena Williams had a grand plan for his daughters. The source of his vision, the method behind his execution, and the root of his indomitable spirit he held private. Until now. What he reveals about his success—his story of struggle, determination, hard work, and family—is told in the pages of this inspiring memoir, Black and The Way I See It .
Richard Williams, for the first time ever, shares stories about the poverty and violence of his early life in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the 1940s—a life that could have ended on the day he was born because of indifference, racism, and cruelty were it not for the strength of his mother and the kindness of a stranger. Williams’s mother was his hero, just as he became a hero to Venus and Serena, who express in the book the lessons he taught them and how much they love their much-criticized and even maligned father. His critics claimed that he was “in the way” of his daughters’ athletic success, that he was “destroying his daughters’ marketing and advertising abilities,” and even accused him of “abuse.”
Richard Williams describes a family life held together by the principles that matter courage, confidence, commitment, faith, and above all, love.
“When you’re younger, as a female, you flock to your father. When you get older, you’re closer to your mother. I still feel really, really close to my father. . . . We have a great relationship. There is an appreciation. There is a closeness because of what we’ve been through together, and a respect,” says Serena.
“Training started early for my kids, but it wasn’t only on the tennis courts. I used to take Venus and Serena to work with me so they could learn the importance of planning, responsibility, and a strong work ethic, even at their early age,” Richard Williams writes. The self-made man saw the value of education and had the discipline to practice what he learned. He went so far as to write a plan for his family’s future before his tennis champion daughters were ever born.
Richard Williams has walked a long, hard, exciting, and ultimately rewarding road for seventy years, fighting every hand raised against him while raising a loving family and two of the greatest tennis players who ever lived.
He’d set his mind to raise two of the greatest women champions in professional tennis well before they could even hold a racket. The father of Venus and Serena Williams had a grand plan for his daughters. The source of his vision, the method behind his execution, and the root of his indomitable spirit he held private. Until now. What he reveals about his success—his story of struggle, determination, hard work, and family—is told in the pages of this inspiring memoir, Black and The Way I See It .
Richard Williams, for the first time ever, shares stories about the poverty and violence of his early life in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the 1940s—a life that could have ended on the day he was born because of indifference, racism, and cruelty were it not for the strength of his mother and the kindness of a stranger. Williams’s mother was his hero, just as he became a hero to Venus and Serena, who express in the book the lessons he taught them and how much they love their much-criticized and even maligned father. His critics claimed that he was “in the way” of his daughters’ athletic success, that he was “destroying his daughters’ marketing and advertising abilities,” and even accused him of “abuse.”
Richard Williams describes a family life held together by the principles that matter courage, confidence, commitment, faith, and above all, love.
“When you’re younger, as a female, you flock to your father. When you get older, you’re closer to your mother. I still feel really, really close to my father. . . . We have a great relationship. There is an appreciation. There is a closeness because of what we’ve been through together, and a respect,” says Serena.
“Training started early for my kids, but it wasn’t only on the tennis courts. I used to take Venus and Serena to work with me so they could learn the importance of planning, responsibility, and a strong work ethic, even at their early age,” Richard Williams writes. The self-made man saw the value of education and had the discipline to practice what he learned. He went so far as to write a plan for his family’s future before his tennis champion daughters were ever born.
Richard Williams has walked a long, hard, exciting, and ultimately rewarding road for seventy years, fighting every hand raised against him while raising a loving family and two of the greatest tennis players who ever lived.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2014
About the author
Richard Williams
2 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Richard Williams is an American tennis coach and the father of Venus and Serena Williams.
Richard Williams is an American tennis coach and the father of Venus and Serena Williams.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 12, 2014
This an outstanding book. As a mother, I once gathered up the courage to walk up to Mr. Williams to ask him how did he know that he was going to raise two female tennis champions? His answer was something along the lines of "I didn't know".
This book further explains his answer to my question. Truly, he did not know that they were going to be champions...he did give them the tools to be champions. And the girls needed to choose their path. He would have been happy if they had to go to Plan B (education) and he made sure there was a Plan B available for them.
Intertwined in the commentary regarding race relations there is really some wonderful parenting advice.
Reading the initial chapters of the book was extremely painful for me. It is hard for me to truly understand the poverty, the hopelessness, and the will that it takes to survive the conditions he experienced. I feel it was an important reminder of what my Asian parents experienced and survived to provide opportunity for themselves and the next generation. A future generation is in my hands...Mr. Williams thanks for having the courage to share your thoughts and ideas. Provocative and thoughtful.
This book further explains his answer to my question. Truly, he did not know that they were going to be champions...he did give them the tools to be champions. And the girls needed to choose their path. He would have been happy if they had to go to Plan B (education) and he made sure there was a Plan B available for them.
Intertwined in the commentary regarding race relations there is really some wonderful parenting advice.
Reading the initial chapters of the book was extremely painful for me. It is hard for me to truly understand the poverty, the hopelessness, and the will that it takes to survive the conditions he experienced. I feel it was an important reminder of what my Asian parents experienced and survived to provide opportunity for themselves and the next generation. A future generation is in my hands...Mr. Williams thanks for having the courage to share your thoughts and ideas. Provocative and thoughtful.
July 19, 2014
Compelling
Compelling
I am speechless. How does a single person help make the impossible so possible? Richard Williams is an African American Visionary!!!!
Compelling
I am speechless. How does a single person help make the impossible so possible? Richard Williams is an African American Visionary!!!!
November 21, 2021
This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read recently.
I am amazed at this man’s journey from his humble beginnings in the Deep South of USA to being the Father/Tennis Coach of not one but two Super star players.
Richard Williams didn’t have an easy life but he continued to battle the obstacles and pave a path for himself. He was a victim of racism and prejudice but he didn’t let those facts deter him.
He didn’t know anything about the game of tennis , and his daughters weren’t even born when he first got the idea of being a Tennis Coach to his kids.
You’ll be amazed to know that he learned to play tennis as an adult and went on to successfully coach his two girls who have now won 30 Grand Slam titles between them.
His parenting ethics and the tough love he dished out while raising the kids are practical for us too. His observations truly made sense to me as a parent.
There’s not much about his personal life with regard to his first marriage or his eldest son.
But these recollections are what he wanted to share with the world and I feel it’s more than enough.
I have nothing but great respect for this man on his life journey.
Highly recommended to Tennis fans and Parents.
I am amazed at this man’s journey from his humble beginnings in the Deep South of USA to being the Father/Tennis Coach of not one but two Super star players.
Richard Williams didn’t have an easy life but he continued to battle the obstacles and pave a path for himself. He was a victim of racism and prejudice but he didn’t let those facts deter him.
He didn’t know anything about the game of tennis , and his daughters weren’t even born when he first got the idea of being a Tennis Coach to his kids.
You’ll be amazed to know that he learned to play tennis as an adult and went on to successfully coach his two girls who have now won 30 Grand Slam titles between them.
His parenting ethics and the tough love he dished out while raising the kids are practical for us too. His observations truly made sense to me as a parent.
There’s not much about his personal life with regard to his first marriage or his eldest son.
But these recollections are what he wanted to share with the world and I feel it’s more than enough.
I have nothing but great respect for this man on his life journey.
Highly recommended to Tennis fans and Parents.
September 24, 2020
این کتاب، خاطرات ریچارد ویلیامز، پدر سرنا و ونوس ویلیامزه، از دوران بچگیش در لوییزیانا تا رسیدنش به شهرت و موفقیت بچه هاش. مدت ها دنبالش بودم چون ویلیامز توی مصاحبه هایی که ازش هست همیشه فوق العاده خونسرد، دوست داشتنی و رو راسته. دوست داشتم بدونم چجور زندگی ای داشته و طرز فکرش چیه. این کتاب هم موضوعش دقیقا همینه. فکر می کنم علت اینکه اونقدرا هم شناخته شده و پرفروش نیست صداقت بیش از حدش و تصویریه که از زندگی در جنوب آمریکا در دهه ی ۵۰ ارائه می ده: زندگی در فقر و بی عدالتی شدید، بسیار شبیه به دوران برده داری و مردمی بی اندازه نژاد پرست.
Reading about Mr. Williams's experience of growing up in the Deep South, it is easy to understand his deep-rooted anger and resentment towards the white community. His absolute honesty in describing his thoughts and the harrowing events of his life is refreshing. I’d love to see a movie made out of this book but I don’t it’ll happen anytime soon.
Reading about Mr. Williams's experience of growing up in the Deep South, it is easy to understand his deep-rooted anger and resentment towards the white community. His absolute honesty in describing his thoughts and the harrowing events of his life is refreshing. I’d love to see a movie made out of this book but I don’t it’ll happen anytime soon.
June 20, 2015
I enjoyed reading Mr. Williams book. However, I wish he had gone more in-depth about his personal life. We get plenty of information on his feelings for his mother, racial tensions and learning to play tennis. We even get a brief insight on how he developed and maintain a business. But what we don't get is information on his first wife and child (son),before Serena and Venus mom. Also, it's not explained how the move from Compton to Florida took place...outside of the fact they just up and moved...after the girls' careers blossom. I do like the fact in the book he lays out instructions on how to properly train and guide any upcoming athlete.
July 24, 2019
I never would have read this book if a friend had not forced it into my hands. I would have assumed that it was just about tennis and I would have missed out on one of the most powerful narratives that I think I've ever read. It's an amazing, heartbreaking story of how Richard Williams survived - barely - the deep seated racism of the deep south. This is such a powerful story that I think it would make great required reading for high schoolers... And that's all before you get to the part of how he goes on to very intentionally create two amazing athletes. Five stars.
January 13, 2017
You want to know how to build a Champion? You need to read Richard's story, he succeed twice!!!! Venus and Serena changed the tennis game because of Him
November 25, 2019
Exactly the book I was looking for.
Such a wonderful experience.
If you are looking for an authentic motivational and ispirational story, go for this one.
My aim was to know what is behind the success of Serena and Venus Williams.
But it went much beyond my expectation. I even forgot about the daughters and started learning about segregation and discrimination in the USA.
I enjoyed reading every single page.
If you are looking for a self-motivational book, this one is for you.
If you want to learn about discrimination and how life looks like for black people in USA, this book is the perfect choice for you.
Most importantly, if you are a father of a mother, it is a must read book.
Thanks, Mr. Williams, for sharing your unique experience.
Such a wonderful experience.
If you are looking for an authentic motivational and ispirational story, go for this one.
My aim was to know what is behind the success of Serena and Venus Williams.
But it went much beyond my expectation. I even forgot about the daughters and started learning about segregation and discrimination in the USA.
I enjoyed reading every single page.
If you are looking for a self-motivational book, this one is for you.
If you want to learn about discrimination and how life looks like for black people in USA, this book is the perfect choice for you.
Most importantly, if you are a father of a mother, it is a must read book.
Thanks, Mr. Williams, for sharing your unique experience.
June 10, 2022
Great book, story that definitely surprised me. I would give 5 starts if only I wouldn't had a feeling of marketing while great sister story began in the middle of the book.
January 23, 2021
A breathless account of a crucial match that prompts the author to think back to where it all began (cue the suspension points ...). With such a beginning, I was afraid that Richard Williams's voice would be buried beneath the trite conventions of the genre. But soon the narrative shucks sports writing clichés and becomes something gritty, thoughtful and deeply individual.
Williams is clearly an extraordinary man: someone who can survive appalling racism, poverty and tragedies to become a successful businessman; who can lack a father to love and nurture him and yet become a father who loves and nurtures his children. And also the kind of man who can plan to conceive and raise a tennis champion (despite knowing diddly-squat about the sport at the beginning) and then actually go ahead and bring up two all-time greats. There is genius in him, and vitality, and hardscrabble determination, but also madcap ambition and an almost unhinged single-mindedness.
As a boy, Williams was strong-willed and abrasive. For all his love and respect for his mother, the boy cannot accept her quiescence. Confronted by the horrific racism of Shreveport, Louisiana, he is forever kicking against the pricks. The last person to receive so many beatings between the covers of a book was probably Don Quixote. Among its many virtues, the early parts of the book are a hair-raising indictment of the evils of the Jim-Crow-era Deep South. One of his best friends is lynched; another is killed by a hit-and-run white motorist; another is drowned in suspicious circumstances. The reader's heart goes out to Williams for the loss of these friends, whose personalities he tenderly recalls.
In recounting his youth, Williams draws a complex portrait of a young man living on the fringes of society. There are many tensions and contradictory impulses in his character: he's pursued by violence yet also puts himself in its path; he craves material wellbeing yet repeatedly chooses to live in run-down neighbourhoods. There is a deep streak of independence that causes him to spurn the comfortable lifestyle of an uncle in Chicago who works as a construction foreman, because he - Richard Williams - will not brook any limits, will take no sops. With that attitude, it's no surprise that, after many intermediate jobs, he ends up starting a business and making a success of it.
However, all of this is really just a prelude to parenthood, which allows him to express all his hard-earned wisdom. He pours all his energy and attention into his two little girls, raising them not just to be champions but well-rounded individuals. There are lots of interesting anecdotes for fans of Venus and Serena, such as the fact that Venus was so good so young, that he had to limit the amount of tournaments she played for the sake of her childhood. Again, there is tension here, this time between instilling the girls with the drive to succeed while dampening over-enthusiasm and striving to create a balance between tennis and schoolwork and fun.
There is not much about the nuts-and-bolts of tennis, but one curious element is Williams's relation of his preference for the open stance. The way he tells it, it's as if his belief in the superiority of the open stance is the intuition of an idiot savant. He even seeks confirmation of his preference in the opinion of a dance teacher. As entertaining as the account is, it seems unlikely that Williams would have discovered the open stance from first principles, as it were, and not picked it up from a coach or tennis magazines. It was never that esoteric to begin with. Be that as it may, the Williams sisters certainly made it their own.
One bum note for was the casual way Williams mentions the existence of a son born to a woman he left "because of the presence of gambling and alcohol". This revelation comes in his account of a discussion he has with Oracene (mother to Venus and Serena) early in their courtship. Presumably Williams wanted to pass over painful failures or give no ammunition to his detractors, but for me the elision of this period in Williams's life mars the integrity of the narrative. Surely the failed relationship was not only deeply painful to him, but also instructive. And surely some of the energy and passion that went into his parenting of Venus, Serena and his stepchildren stemmed from the disappointment of this important relationship. What complicates matters even more is that it seems (according to Wikipedia) that Williams was actually married to the woman (Betty Johnson) and had not one, but five children with her. If Williams had found a way of incorporating this experience into his subsequent accounts of parenting, then the memoir would have been greatly enriched.
As it is, it's an excellent read that is almost wholly grounded in the complex, contradictory matter of real lived existence, except for a few brief lapses into self-help tropes.
Williams is clearly an extraordinary man: someone who can survive appalling racism, poverty and tragedies to become a successful businessman; who can lack a father to love and nurture him and yet become a father who loves and nurtures his children. And also the kind of man who can plan to conceive and raise a tennis champion (despite knowing diddly-squat about the sport at the beginning) and then actually go ahead and bring up two all-time greats. There is genius in him, and vitality, and hardscrabble determination, but also madcap ambition and an almost unhinged single-mindedness.
As a boy, Williams was strong-willed and abrasive. For all his love and respect for his mother, the boy cannot accept her quiescence. Confronted by the horrific racism of Shreveport, Louisiana, he is forever kicking against the pricks. The last person to receive so many beatings between the covers of a book was probably Don Quixote. Among its many virtues, the early parts of the book are a hair-raising indictment of the evils of the Jim-Crow-era Deep South. One of his best friends is lynched; another is killed by a hit-and-run white motorist; another is drowned in suspicious circumstances. The reader's heart goes out to Williams for the loss of these friends, whose personalities he tenderly recalls.
In recounting his youth, Williams draws a complex portrait of a young man living on the fringes of society. There are many tensions and contradictory impulses in his character: he's pursued by violence yet also puts himself in its path; he craves material wellbeing yet repeatedly chooses to live in run-down neighbourhoods. There is a deep streak of independence that causes him to spurn the comfortable lifestyle of an uncle in Chicago who works as a construction foreman, because he - Richard Williams - will not brook any limits, will take no sops. With that attitude, it's no surprise that, after many intermediate jobs, he ends up starting a business and making a success of it.
However, all of this is really just a prelude to parenthood, which allows him to express all his hard-earned wisdom. He pours all his energy and attention into his two little girls, raising them not just to be champions but well-rounded individuals. There are lots of interesting anecdotes for fans of Venus and Serena, such as the fact that Venus was so good so young, that he had to limit the amount of tournaments she played for the sake of her childhood. Again, there is tension here, this time between instilling the girls with the drive to succeed while dampening over-enthusiasm and striving to create a balance between tennis and schoolwork and fun.
There is not much about the nuts-and-bolts of tennis, but one curious element is Williams's relation of his preference for the open stance. The way he tells it, it's as if his belief in the superiority of the open stance is the intuition of an idiot savant. He even seeks confirmation of his preference in the opinion of a dance teacher. As entertaining as the account is, it seems unlikely that Williams would have discovered the open stance from first principles, as it were, and not picked it up from a coach or tennis magazines. It was never that esoteric to begin with. Be that as it may, the Williams sisters certainly made it their own.
One bum note for was the casual way Williams mentions the existence of a son born to a woman he left "because of the presence of gambling and alcohol". This revelation comes in his account of a discussion he has with Oracene (mother to Venus and Serena) early in their courtship. Presumably Williams wanted to pass over painful failures or give no ammunition to his detractors, but for me the elision of this period in Williams's life mars the integrity of the narrative. Surely the failed relationship was not only deeply painful to him, but also instructive. And surely some of the energy and passion that went into his parenting of Venus, Serena and his stepchildren stemmed from the disappointment of this important relationship. What complicates matters even more is that it seems (according to Wikipedia) that Williams was actually married to the woman (Betty Johnson) and had not one, but five children with her. If Williams had found a way of incorporating this experience into his subsequent accounts of parenting, then the memoir would have been greatly enriched.
As it is, it's an excellent read that is almost wholly grounded in the complex, contradictory matter of real lived existence, except for a few brief lapses into self-help tropes.
November 4, 2015
A good book that would be enlightening for some of Richard Williams' critics who may have found him to be caustic, difficult, etc. "There are many who think me a fierce, dominating, and controlling parent. Perhaps" (p. 24).
In it, the reader learns a lot about his background, particularly that of growing up during the heart of segregation in the South. In fact, it was so segregated that when he moved up North, he was "astounded to learn I was allowed to go to the public library."
In Shreveport, it was against the law to go to the library. If you tried, they would beat you up and throw you in jail so nobody else would go, either" (p. 95-96).
He had a very rough upbringing, raised by a single mother and dealing all too often with racists who were eager and ready to deliver beatings (or worse) for the slightest infractions, some of which were just made up as a way of depriving black people of certain things. "The world may now see me as a famous man in control of his destiny, but no one knows how much my early life defined me as a child, and later, as a husband and a father" (p. 22).
Just some of his pearls of wisdom peppered throughout the book, include:
As Richard became interested in tennis (for the sole purpose of raising tennis champion children that he didn't even have yet!), he would play on various courts in the city and observed others. At one court that was frequented by more bourgeois blacks, the people seemed more interested in looking the part of a tennis champ. "Evidently, appearance was the shot of the day." "As far as I was concerned, just dressing like a tennis player didn't make you one." (p. 173-174). I found this to be an interesting quote given Venus and Serena's great fashion sense, which is often on display on and off the court. But they have both the fashion as well as the skills to play tennis. Something the wanna-bes didn't have.
And as domineering as some people may have believed him to be, interestingly enough, he said, "In all matters, including tennis, I decided I would always be their father first. I have never regretted my decision for an instant. What a relief it was to have that as my guide. In one stroke, I had removed from my life the burden of criticizing my children. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have seen so much damage in this world done by parents who take the other road."
"I was their father first and they were put on this earth to be nurtured by me into fine and happy people. Tennis would be part of their lives, a big part, but only part. From the beginning, I decided that if people came to me later on and told me my daughters were great tennis players, I had failed. Success would be if they came up to me and said my daughters were great people" (p. 215-216).
One thing I learned that I didn't know about the family, is that they are Jehovah's Witnesses. Early in the book, Richard seemed very doubtful, even scornful about the existence of God. Somewhere in the book, a shift seems to have occurred without it ever being directly referenced and the references to doubting God's existence disappear and more faith-oriented statements take their place with Serena referring in one passage to their upbringing as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Also, the disintegration of his marriage to Oracene (Venus and Serena's mother) is never delved into. He simply mentions his regret about it not working out. However, he lauds her as "an amazing force for good in this family, and she remains one of the best women I have ever known in my life" (p. 243). You get the sense that with the book's sub-title, "The Way I See it", that Richard also chose to tell the story his way and was not pressured into telling it in a sensational fashion.
Granted, some of people's perceptions of Richard are probably deserved with some of his unorthodox ways, as illustrated by one incident in which he drove off and left Venus at a store because she was talking about winning a match and going on and on about it, much to his frustration. In his mind, "once practice or a tournament was over, it was over. Tennis was not life" (p. 264).
In another unorthodox move, he held Venus back from playing another tournament one year, because at the age of 14, she defeated a player who was ranked in the top one hundred in the world, and she did it easily. He felt she was too far ahead of schedule and he wanted her to enjoy her childhood.
All in all, it was a good book, of average writing style, but still enlightening with the ability to inspire.
In it, the reader learns a lot about his background, particularly that of growing up during the heart of segregation in the South. In fact, it was so segregated that when he moved up North, he was "astounded to learn I was allowed to go to the public library."
In Shreveport, it was against the law to go to the library. If you tried, they would beat you up and throw you in jail so nobody else would go, either" (p. 95-96).
He had a very rough upbringing, raised by a single mother and dealing all too often with racists who were eager and ready to deliver beatings (or worse) for the slightest infractions, some of which were just made up as a way of depriving black people of certain things. "The world may now see me as a famous man in control of his destiny, but no one knows how much my early life defined me as a child, and later, as a husband and a father" (p. 22).
Just some of his pearls of wisdom peppered throughout the book, include:
"I surely don't understand all these parents today who are always telling their kids how special they are, without them proving it. That's not faith, it's flattery."
"If we fail to learn, we fail to change."
As Richard became interested in tennis (for the sole purpose of raising tennis champion children that he didn't even have yet!), he would play on various courts in the city and observed others. At one court that was frequented by more bourgeois blacks, the people seemed more interested in looking the part of a tennis champ. "Evidently, appearance was the shot of the day." "As far as I was concerned, just dressing like a tennis player didn't make you one." (p. 173-174). I found this to be an interesting quote given Venus and Serena's great fashion sense, which is often on display on and off the court. But they have both the fashion as well as the skills to play tennis. Something the wanna-bes didn't have.
And as domineering as some people may have believed him to be, interestingly enough, he said, "In all matters, including tennis, I decided I would always be their father first. I have never regretted my decision for an instant. What a relief it was to have that as my guide. In one stroke, I had removed from my life the burden of criticizing my children. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have seen so much damage in this world done by parents who take the other road."
"I was their father first and they were put on this earth to be nurtured by me into fine and happy people. Tennis would be part of their lives, a big part, but only part. From the beginning, I decided that if people came to me later on and told me my daughters were great tennis players, I had failed. Success would be if they came up to me and said my daughters were great people" (p. 215-216).
One thing I learned that I didn't know about the family, is that they are Jehovah's Witnesses. Early in the book, Richard seemed very doubtful, even scornful about the existence of God. Somewhere in the book, a shift seems to have occurred without it ever being directly referenced and the references to doubting God's existence disappear and more faith-oriented statements take their place with Serena referring in one passage to their upbringing as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Also, the disintegration of his marriage to Oracene (Venus and Serena's mother) is never delved into. He simply mentions his regret about it not working out. However, he lauds her as "an amazing force for good in this family, and she remains one of the best women I have ever known in my life" (p. 243). You get the sense that with the book's sub-title, "The Way I See it", that Richard also chose to tell the story his way and was not pressured into telling it in a sensational fashion.
Granted, some of people's perceptions of Richard are probably deserved with some of his unorthodox ways, as illustrated by one incident in which he drove off and left Venus at a store because she was talking about winning a match and going on and on about it, much to his frustration. In his mind, "once practice or a tournament was over, it was over. Tennis was not life" (p. 264).
In another unorthodox move, he held Venus back from playing another tournament one year, because at the age of 14, she defeated a player who was ranked in the top one hundred in the world, and she did it easily. He felt she was too far ahead of schedule and he wanted her to enjoy her childhood.
All in all, it was a good book, of average writing style, but still enlightening with the ability to inspire.
August 15, 2014
This book is an overview of the lives of Richard Williams and those of his daughters, the tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams. Mr. Williams, born in 1942 in Shreveport, Louisiana, experienced extreme poverty and virulent racism as a youth. The stories he tells are made even stronger by the fact that he actually experienced them. This is a book of personal history, not an academic work. By and by, he left the South for Chicago, where he again, sadly, experienced a racism as repulsive as that he endured in Louisiana, if not quite as violent as incidences he and close friends were subject to. He later moves to California. Through hard work, focus, and intelligence, he achieves financial success.
One day, while watching the conclusion of a professional tennis match on TV, he hears the announcer say that the winner of the women's tournament has just won $40,000. It was as if a light bulb went off in Mr. Williams brain. He decided that his - as yet unborn - daughters would be tutored by him to become tennis players. There was a major problem standing in his way - not only hadn't he ever played tennis, he didn't think highly of the sport. He mentions that he thought of it as a "sissy" sport. That aside, he began to acquire a number of tennis books and videotapes, began to play, and slowly taught himself the sport.
A good portion of the book is devoted to his efforts to teach his daughters tennis. Obviously gifted with athleticism, they were, for the most part, devoted students. The book imparts a good deal of the authors philosophy of life. He would make a great motivational speaker.
With all the racism he and his daughters have experienced, they must, justifiably, be very proud of their rare and noteworthy accomplishments. Again, this book is primarily devoted to Mr. Williams, his own story, and that of his serving as a loving, supportive father and coach to his girls. Tennis freaks like myself will have to turn to other books and articles if narrative accounts of specific matches are desired. This is a book that deserves to be read by anyone interested in how a person can surmount difficult circumstances, and achieve success.
One day, while watching the conclusion of a professional tennis match on TV, he hears the announcer say that the winner of the women's tournament has just won $40,000. It was as if a light bulb went off in Mr. Williams brain. He decided that his - as yet unborn - daughters would be tutored by him to become tennis players. There was a major problem standing in his way - not only hadn't he ever played tennis, he didn't think highly of the sport. He mentions that he thought of it as a "sissy" sport. That aside, he began to acquire a number of tennis books and videotapes, began to play, and slowly taught himself the sport.
A good portion of the book is devoted to his efforts to teach his daughters tennis. Obviously gifted with athleticism, they were, for the most part, devoted students. The book imparts a good deal of the authors philosophy of life. He would make a great motivational speaker.
With all the racism he and his daughters have experienced, they must, justifiably, be very proud of their rare and noteworthy accomplishments. Again, this book is primarily devoted to Mr. Williams, his own story, and that of his serving as a loving, supportive father and coach to his girls. Tennis freaks like myself will have to turn to other books and articles if narrative accounts of specific matches are desired. This is a book that deserves to be read by anyone interested in how a person can surmount difficult circumstances, and achieve success.
May 5, 2017
I've been thinking of this book ever since I started it. How I love reading people's own perspective that is often not how you have heard them or their story characterized. I have utmost respect for Richard Williams and his determination to make something of himself and his family. He was a fighter. And while some of his resistance may seem violent, I cannot -I will not, judge. If I had childhood friends being killed because of racism, if I was expected to keep my head down in the presence of white men, etc etc: who knows how any of us would respond. It's startling to hear first hand many of the experiences he went through. And how I loved his commitment to coach and raise his daughters. This book had little jewels of wisdom throughout. I especially liked how he tried hard to never criticize Serena or Venus' play and stayed positive. "Great!" he would say, even when a ball flew over the fence. "How was I to know what she was trying to do?" he said, "Maybe she was experimenting." I loved this. Whichever way you look at it: he raised champions. And certainly, was misunderstood. Anyone who loves tennis or is is raising an athlete themselves would enjoy this book, I think. I'm so glad I checked it out so I know a little more now, to the story. Kudos to him for never giving up and for getting out of Louisiana.
May 31, 2022
This is an amazing story about an extraordinary person achieving the impossible. I am shocked at the racial prejudice, poverty and cruelty he has experienced, and the courage and wisdom he possessed fighting his way up. If all these hardships did not crush him, I can’t imagine what would, and I can’t find a excuse for the failure for people in much better situations.
One thing I realized: Repression + ignorance => cowardness for 99% of the repressed; but the 1% who stand up and rise above, they are truly extraordinary.
Some self-help type of quotes -
“We (black people) have something to give to our community, to our city, state and country, to the world” you deserve respect if you can contribute
I believed the greatest civil rights victory I could achieve would be my own success.
It was easy for me to spot people without ambition. They were the ones without stress. They are not risk takers. Only ambitious people put their ideas in front of a crowd.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Planning is the deliberate attempt at success.
The difference between an ordinary person and an extraordinary person is simple. The extraordinary person is willing to fight a little harder.
One thing I realized: Repression + ignorance => cowardness for 99% of the repressed; but the 1% who stand up and rise above, they are truly extraordinary.
Some self-help type of quotes -
“We (black people) have something to give to our community, to our city, state and country, to the world” you deserve respect if you can contribute
I believed the greatest civil rights victory I could achieve would be my own success.
It was easy for me to spot people without ambition. They were the ones without stress. They are not risk takers. Only ambitious people put their ideas in front of a crowd.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Planning is the deliberate attempt at success.
The difference between an ordinary person and an extraordinary person is simple. The extraordinary person is willing to fight a little harder.
December 4, 2021
I wanted to read this because of the movie “King Richard”, staring Will Smith. As good as that film was, this book is even better. It reads like a combination of “Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “Gifted Hands” (Dr. Ben Carson).
His personal philosophy is illustrated by a triangle of values: Commitment, Courage, Confidence which surround a core of Faith learned from his mother.
The first half of the book exclusively describes Mr. Williams’s childhood and the path he took to becoming a man. This is not covered in the movie. So much racism. Even more hardcore than the gangsters he faced in Compton when training his daughters on the tennis court. I can see where his Courage comes from. As I read, I felt that I was witnessing a real life superhero-father origin story as he builds Confidence and Commitment.
By the time we get to his now famous daughters being born- one naturally understands how these values inform his desire of being a better father and why he takes the decisions he does while raising his children with Oracene. I felt I understood him and even saw some of my own upbringing reflected in his story. I recommend this book (and the film) to all.
His personal philosophy is illustrated by a triangle of values: Commitment, Courage, Confidence which surround a core of Faith learned from his mother.
The first half of the book exclusively describes Mr. Williams’s childhood and the path he took to becoming a man. This is not covered in the movie. So much racism. Even more hardcore than the gangsters he faced in Compton when training his daughters on the tennis court. I can see where his Courage comes from. As I read, I felt that I was witnessing a real life superhero-father origin story as he builds Confidence and Commitment.
By the time we get to his now famous daughters being born- one naturally understands how these values inform his desire of being a better father and why he takes the decisions he does while raising his children with Oracene. I felt I understood him and even saw some of my own upbringing reflected in his story. I recommend this book (and the film) to all.
July 28, 2021
Despite being a dead beat and alleged drunk I really enjoyed Mr. Williams book his life definitely mirrors the many set backs black men and women face :( I wish I could say it changed since he wrote this book but nope it got worse .
I loved how he highlighted how important GOD & women are :) he didn’t push his girls and he remained their father before anything else ….
This is not only a memoir but a blueprint to pure determination! I'm so glad he was the rock for his daughters because not many athletes are lucky enough to have a father that pushes confidence on them ! So many people doubted his Children but they still made a name for themselves !!! ....
I liked this book but I wish he could've helped his other children as much as he helped the girls and his step children . I wish he could’ve answered the question wether he abandoned his other children or not he really brushed over that maybe he’ll explain that when the movie comes out ….
I loved how he highlighted how important GOD & women are :) he didn’t push his girls and he remained their father before anything else ….
This is not only a memoir but a blueprint to pure determination! I'm so glad he was the rock for his daughters because not many athletes are lucky enough to have a father that pushes confidence on them ! So many people doubted his Children but they still made a name for themselves !!! ....
I liked this book but I wish he could've helped his other children as much as he helped the girls and his step children . I wish he could’ve answered the question wether he abandoned his other children or not he really brushed over that maybe he’ll explain that when the movie comes out ….
December 19, 2017
I was very ashamed that I call myself a huge Serena stan without having read her dad's autobiography, especially given he taught her everything and planned for her and Venus to be champions before they were born. But in true stan fashion I finished the book in less than 24 hours. A book about courage, commitment, and confidence, what he calls the Williams Life Triangle, and just how far the combination can take you.
October 29, 2019
Williams' story is amazing and I do not use that word lightly.
A scarcely believable upbringing in the racist deep south of America is a world away from most people's lives. This is the fascinating, compelling upsetting and in the end uplifting story.
His influence on his daughters is jaw dropping in it's outrageous premise but even though that was the reason that I read the book in the first place, that chapter of his life is almost incidental to what occurred prior.
A scarcely believable upbringing in the racist deep south of America is a world away from most people's lives. This is the fascinating, compelling upsetting and in the end uplifting story.
His influence on his daughters is jaw dropping in it's outrageous premise but even though that was the reason that I read the book in the first place, that chapter of his life is almost incidental to what occurred prior.
June 5, 2014
An interesting book by Richard Williams, some things that I did not know before about his childhood, family and so forth.
Read
February 2, 2016Great read! very telling.
December 26, 2021
I would give Mr. Williams story more credibility if he had explained why he abandoned his first wife and 5 kids.
December 1, 2021
This is a good, informative book, with a major flaw.
A bit more than half the book is about Mr Williams' life up until he decides to marry Oracene, have kids with a plan to raise them to be tennis champion. The other half is about how he actually raised to them to be champion (greatly abridged since it'll be too long to cover in details). Overall I like the book a lot. All the description about racism in Shreveport (where he grew up) and elsewhere are as apt and compelling as ever. You find yourself asking yourself (once again) how can there be people who treat their fellow man that badly. I want to thank him (Mr Willams), commiserate with him, and salute him for all that he's gone through and all that he's done.
The part about his master plan and how he carried them to perfection was extremely fascinating. He took some extreme measures to ensure their success. I have no doubt at least some of those measures did contribute to the daughters becoming who they are today (smart and successful people in their own rights, with toughness to boot, on the court as well as off it). He does offer many lessons that I find useful.
However here in the "my wisdom for raising children" I find his vision somewhat narrow. Obviously his goal for the daughters is the very top, so everything is aimed towards that goal. However what happens if somehow they don't get there? He doesn't say, but it's implied he would consider that a failure, with some form of "I told you so", said in a somewhat patronizing manner. Maybe your fault is you didn't follow him to the letters. Or maybe you didn't do some of his more extreme measures. But what if your daughters just don't have what it take to be the champion?
In other words, what I don't necessarily agree with him is the definition and measure of "success". I don't think you have to be a millionaire or tennis champion (or champion in another field) to be a success. Success, inner peace and self-worth comes from within. I'm not saying his daughters don't have these - to all indications, they do possess all of them, and I congratulate him and them for that. I just wish he had lessened a bit this emphasis on the outcome, and more on the person he has shaped them. You can aim to be the best, you can give them all the confidence, but you support them anyway, even if somehow they can't be the best. After all, there are millions of family and millions of daughters in the US (and billions in the world), and only a tiny fraction of them can ever be multi-Grand Slam champions.
The major flaw I see in this book (and the reason I took out one star) is the fact that in writing this, Mr. Williams conveniently skipped a major part of his life, the part that involved his first wife and their 5 (five!) children together. At the beginning of the book, he frequently mentioned his own deadbeat parents, and how the absence (of the father) left indelible marks on his young soul, which makes him want to do the best for Venus and Serena when he had them. All good, but what about the 5 kids before Venus and Serena (and multiple others, if the rumors are true)? All indications are that he was just a deadbeat dad for them. But why? We never know, because he doesn't have a word on it. I mean, maybe later on his life, he realized it was a mistake, and he's embarrassed to revisit that. But at least retelling would have been better than skipping entirely, as if those wife and children of his never existed.
A bit more than half the book is about Mr Williams' life up until he decides to marry Oracene, have kids with a plan to raise them to be tennis champion. The other half is about how he actually raised to them to be champion (greatly abridged since it'll be too long to cover in details). Overall I like the book a lot. All the description about racism in Shreveport (where he grew up) and elsewhere are as apt and compelling as ever. You find yourself asking yourself (once again) how can there be people who treat their fellow man that badly. I want to thank him (Mr Willams), commiserate with him, and salute him for all that he's gone through and all that he's done.
The part about his master plan and how he carried them to perfection was extremely fascinating. He took some extreme measures to ensure their success. I have no doubt at least some of those measures did contribute to the daughters becoming who they are today (smart and successful people in their own rights, with toughness to boot, on the court as well as off it). He does offer many lessons that I find useful.
However here in the "my wisdom for raising children" I find his vision somewhat narrow. Obviously his goal for the daughters is the very top, so everything is aimed towards that goal. However what happens if somehow they don't get there? He doesn't say, but it's implied he would consider that a failure, with some form of "I told you so", said in a somewhat patronizing manner. Maybe your fault is you didn't follow him to the letters. Or maybe you didn't do some of his more extreme measures. But what if your daughters just don't have what it take to be the champion?
In other words, what I don't necessarily agree with him is the definition and measure of "success". I don't think you have to be a millionaire or tennis champion (or champion in another field) to be a success. Success, inner peace and self-worth comes from within. I'm not saying his daughters don't have these - to all indications, they do possess all of them, and I congratulate him and them for that. I just wish he had lessened a bit this emphasis on the outcome, and more on the person he has shaped them. You can aim to be the best, you can give them all the confidence, but you support them anyway, even if somehow they can't be the best. After all, there are millions of family and millions of daughters in the US (and billions in the world), and only a tiny fraction of them can ever be multi-Grand Slam champions.
The major flaw I see in this book (and the reason I took out one star) is the fact that in writing this, Mr. Williams conveniently skipped a major part of his life, the part that involved his first wife and their 5 (five!) children together. At the beginning of the book, he frequently mentioned his own deadbeat parents, and how the absence (of the father) left indelible marks on his young soul, which makes him want to do the best for Venus and Serena when he had them. All good, but what about the 5 kids before Venus and Serena (and multiple others, if the rumors are true)? All indications are that he was just a deadbeat dad for them. But why? We never know, because he doesn't have a word on it. I mean, maybe later on his life, he realized it was a mistake, and he's embarrassed to revisit that. But at least retelling would have been better than skipping entirely, as if those wife and children of his never existed.
June 18, 2023
After reading this book I felt like I grew up like a pampered princess!!!That's how rough his growing up was. He has written about all struggles and various ups and downs of his life. The final chapters are dedicated to how he planned and shaped the tennis paths of Venus and Serena.
However , after reading a lot seemed to be missing in terms of what one could expect out of an Autobiography. I daresay this can be called an Autobiography, perhaps a sanitized collection of his memories. Still that doesn't make him any less successful, but as a reader, you are left wanting to know about how he handled his finances, his connections with the gangs, why his marriages ended, what are the other kids upto ( he has 4 more kids excluding Venus and Serena, one was killed in an accidental gang shooting). So all in all he seems to have glossed over a lot of the details and deliberately cherry picked on mostly the racial incidents. I mean he keeps playing the Victim card way too much to be entirely true. Perhaps it is or perhaps he omitted our the good deeds that some whites may extended towards him.
Oh yes and a very big ( intentional??) miss was that he didn't acknowledge any of Rick Macci's and Oracene Price's contributions to the development of Venus' game. Rick's disagreement with Richard over Venus' tennis was well known.
But a great inspirational read nonetheless. As I pointed out compared to his life my life seems like a walk in the park and sleeping on bed of roses, so one thing I can't do from now on is to complain about what I have.
However , after reading a lot seemed to be missing in terms of what one could expect out of an Autobiography. I daresay this can be called an Autobiography, perhaps a sanitized collection of his memories. Still that doesn't make him any less successful, but as a reader, you are left wanting to know about how he handled his finances, his connections with the gangs, why his marriages ended, what are the other kids upto ( he has 4 more kids excluding Venus and Serena, one was killed in an accidental gang shooting). So all in all he seems to have glossed over a lot of the details and deliberately cherry picked on mostly the racial incidents. I mean he keeps playing the Victim card way too much to be entirely true. Perhaps it is or perhaps he omitted our the good deeds that some whites may extended towards him.
Oh yes and a very big ( intentional??) miss was that he didn't acknowledge any of Rick Macci's and Oracene Price's contributions to the development of Venus' game. Rick's disagreement with Richard over Venus' tennis was well known.
But a great inspirational read nonetheless. As I pointed out compared to his life my life seems like a walk in the park and sleeping on bed of roses, so one thing I can't do from now on is to complain about what I have.
September 16, 2022
An honest, easy read biography that gives an insight and understanding of what Richard went through, why...how he set things for himself to achieve and achieved making his daughters champions!
The first 19 (of 25) chapters take us through the life, times, circumstances and reactions of Richard that makes him what he is! It's an example of how to steer oneself....perhaps how NOT to too....but definitely an example of the pinnacle of achievement that he attained with constant criticism, self evaluation and determination.
The later chapters detail about his philosophy of bringing up his daughters Venus and Serena and making them champions and fine human beings too! He is EXTREMELY blessed for having the two daughters who believed....trusted in him and themselves and made what they made themselves to be and made Richard's life worthwhile!
Perhaps there's a lot unsaid about his life and the rough and tumble of making Venus and Serena the champions....but precisely this gives very precise nature to the writing.
Richard Williams is extremely blessed indeed!
I would recommend this book to every young person to understand and make something out of everything that life has to offer...the whole lot of brickbats and opportunities!
The first 19 (of 25) chapters take us through the life, times, circumstances and reactions of Richard that makes him what he is! It's an example of how to steer oneself....perhaps how NOT to too....but definitely an example of the pinnacle of achievement that he attained with constant criticism, self evaluation and determination.
The later chapters detail about his philosophy of bringing up his daughters Venus and Serena and making them champions and fine human beings too! He is EXTREMELY blessed for having the two daughters who believed....trusted in him and themselves and made what they made themselves to be and made Richard's life worthwhile!
Perhaps there's a lot unsaid about his life and the rough and tumble of making Venus and Serena the champions....but precisely this gives very precise nature to the writing.
Richard Williams is extremely blessed indeed!
I would recommend this book to every young person to understand and make something out of everything that life has to offer...the whole lot of brickbats and opportunities!
October 14, 2022
Richard Williams is a fascinating man and he must be highly intelligent and motivated to fulfill his uncharted dreams the way he has in his life. I had hoped Mr Williams would explain more about his life and relationships, especially his other children- and there were many. I was so frustrated by all the missing pieces that I went to Wikipedia to learn more about what happened to his former wives and kids. It helped, but only a little.
I would like to learn more about him and I hope that book appears one day. I would suggest this book to anyone looking to learn about a spirit that would not be dominated by oppressors. The racism Mr Williams endured in the old south is shocking and upsetting but his response was to NEVER give into the forces hell bent on destroying his manhood/humanity. No wonder he ended up the wise, worldly man and social justice warrior he became in a life that has crushed the soul of so many others.
I also appreciated his credit and admiration of the women in his life, especially his mother.
I would like to learn more about him and I hope that book appears one day. I would suggest this book to anyone looking to learn about a spirit that would not be dominated by oppressors. The racism Mr Williams endured in the old south is shocking and upsetting but his response was to NEVER give into the forces hell bent on destroying his manhood/humanity. No wonder he ended up the wise, worldly man and social justice warrior he became in a life that has crushed the soul of so many others.
I also appreciated his credit and admiration of the women in his life, especially his mother.
January 24, 2023
A really fascinating story. I don’t (or I guess before reading this book, “didn’t”) have a ton of interest in tennis or the Williams sisters. The tennis and the girls don’t even come in until at least 50% through the book. My favorite part was just learning about Richard himself and his background before the girls. He’s a fascinating character. Growing up running away from the Klan in Louisiana and building businesses wherever he could. Richard I suspect can’t always be taken at his word as he builds himself through his own narrative as a bit of a scheister, but I think for this reason I like him even more.
As he gets to the part of raising the girls, at times it gets a little too inspirational and motivational for my taste. And perhaps unsurprisingly, there are some references to faith and Jehovah later in the book, but it’s still a really good read. What an interesting person and an interesting story. Absolutely recommend!
As he gets to the part of raising the girls, at times it gets a little too inspirational and motivational for my taste. And perhaps unsurprisingly, there are some references to faith and Jehovah later in the book, but it’s still a really good read. What an interesting person and an interesting story. Absolutely recommend!
August 25, 2021
🏆 “Every person had a responsibility to make something of himself no matter how people saw him.”
🏆 “Fear of failure is a great motivation, too, especially if it’s linked to survival.”
🏆 “There comes a time when every black man will be confronted with racism, because it’s not a trend; it’s a way of life. It doesn’t make a difference where you live, work, or play; the only difference is you better be ready to stand up for what’s right.”
🏆”When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
🏆”Courage is a magnificent thing. It’s the strength of heart to triumph we find within us. Courage comes when you do not have the best of everything. It comes when you have the worst of everything. Courage comes when you set you life goal to make something out of morning.”
🏆 “Fear of failure is a great motivation, too, especially if it’s linked to survival.”
🏆 “There comes a time when every black man will be confronted with racism, because it’s not a trend; it’s a way of life. It doesn’t make a difference where you live, work, or play; the only difference is you better be ready to stand up for what’s right.”
🏆”When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
🏆”Courage is a magnificent thing. It’s the strength of heart to triumph we find within us. Courage comes when you do not have the best of everything. It comes when you have the worst of everything. Courage comes when you set you life goal to make something out of morning.”
December 4, 2021
I know I came to read this book after I saw the movie but Richard is a genius! This book provides valuable information of his roots. When you get to see his principles, beliefs and plan to make two of the greatest tennis stars in the worl, you can’t help but admire his determination and business savvy. I learned so much from reading his book as a parent in how to nurture the drive of your children. I’m also not only inspired but shocked that his humble beginnings were in the south where his line of heritage were literally picking cotton. Thank God he had a belief in himself and a bigger vision for when it came to have his own family. His success transcends ethnicity and age. Your dreams can come true with courage, confidence , commitment and faith.
January 29, 2024
I absolutely loved this book; I agree with another reviewer who said this book should be required reading in schools. I learned about the black / white relationship in the South in the 50’s, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of family.
My only qualm with the book is I think there needs to be a more well-rounded view of many aspects of the story- we only hear his version and he is quite a polarizing character per other accounts, but after finishing the book I found him a guy who just wanted to do right for his family.
Richard Williams is one of the most interesting people I have ever read about. I highly recommend this book.
My only qualm with the book is I think there needs to be a more well-rounded view of many aspects of the story- we only hear his version and he is quite a polarizing character per other accounts, but after finishing the book I found him a guy who just wanted to do right for his family.
Richard Williams is one of the most interesting people I have ever read about. I highly recommend this book.
November 15, 2023
A phenomenal read.
This man doesn't get enough praise for what he has achieved.
Truly an inspirational man and father, from the savage racism and adversity he experienced growing up to the dogged determination, commitment and focus he embodied to train Venus and Serena into the greatest tennis players in the world.
This book is amazingly uplifting and is a masterclass in parenting to raise confident, successful children with a high sense of self-belief.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
This man doesn't get enough praise for what he has achieved.
Truly an inspirational man and father, from the savage racism and adversity he experienced growing up to the dogged determination, commitment and focus he embodied to train Venus and Serena into the greatest tennis players in the world.
This book is amazingly uplifting and is a masterclass in parenting to raise confident, successful children with a high sense of self-belief.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
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