Review of "Uphill"

This was not a book that I sought - a request to review this came to me unexpectedly and also unexpectedly, I enjoyed it immensely.  Her candidness was what made this memoir an excellent read.  Here is my review of "Uphill"

Title/Author:

“Uphill: A Memoir” by Jemele Hill

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

It isn’t often that a sports broadcaster will be the main topic in a debate on social issues, but Jemele Hill became one in 2017 when she named then-President Donald Trump in a series of tweets.  She was a host on ESPN’s SportsCenter at that time and while her tweets set off a firestorm of responses in the media, it was not that surprising that she took the action that she did from those that know her.  In her memoir “Uphill”, she shows readers how she came to be the outspoken person that viewers saw.

This review is not going to engage in whether or not her opinions are right or wrong, nor will it turn into a discussion about the issues she raises in the book on race and inequity.  Instead, it will focus on the quality of the writing and the authenticity a reader will see into Hill’s life.  In both cases, this is excellent.  For the writing, Hill does so in an engaging manner that is both easy to digest and makes her opinions clear.

As for coming across as genuine, Hill does that as well.  There really is nothing phony about her opinions. This has always been her style, no matter the sport or the topic, from her days studying journalism at Michigan State to her work for various newspapers, for ESPN and currently for the Atlantic.  Even though she is mostly known for her work on television (which also resulted in her highest salary), she does state that she enjoys writing much more than television work.  That is clear in these pages.

What was also an unexpected positive while reading this book was how she was also showing her vulnerability, especially when it came to her personal life.  Her relationships, both romantic and familial, are on full display here. She talks about what was good and wasn’t.  She also talks about her spiritual life and how her experiences shaped her life.  Something that should be noted is that while she gained notoriety because of her outspokenness on racial issues, if one reads this book with an open mind then one will appreciate how she came to her conclusions whether that reader agrees or disagrees.

There isn’t a lot of sports talk in this book despite her career success in sports journalism.  That doesn’t mean there isn’t any sports discussion, but they are usually the background or the set-up for a larger discussion on her life or issues in which she has passion.  This was one of the better memoirs that I have read this year and it was so because I was able to put aside any pre-conceived notions I had of her work and just let her tell her story. 

I wish to thank Press Box Publicity for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Link: Uphill: A Memoir: Hill, Jemele: 9781250624376: Amazon.com: Books