Rise: My Story

Even those who don’t know anything about skiing have likely heard Vonn’s (Strong Is the New Beautiful) name. One of the most successful skiers ever, she won a gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Olympics (the first downhill gold for an American woman); Vonn has 20 World Cup titles (more than any other alpine skier) and the sport’s second highest super ranking. In this memoir, Vonn recalls her happy middle-class childhood in Minnesota and how her supportive family moved to Vail, CO, so she could train. In personable writing, she shares insights on training, injuries, and the dynamic of the U.S. Ski Team (she suggests that some skiers received preferential treatment and recalls the objections when she wanted to use men’s skis and compete against men and being criticized when she posed for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue). She’s had personal relationships with a number of famous athletes, but Vonn doesn’t name names here; readers seeking a celebrity tell-all should look elsewhere.