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Book Review By Sandra Calhoune
Days of Grace by Arthur Ashe

Days of Grace is an Autobiography written by the famous tennis player Arthur Ashe. Born in Richmond, Virginia in 1943, Arthur was born at a time when the South was segregated. In large part due the oppression that he saw and experienced as a young child, Arthur Ashe crusaded for social change and racial equality throughout his lifetime. Days of Grace depicts the manner in which Arthur Ashe was "outed" by USA Today Newspaper and forced to hold a news conference stating that he had HIV/AIDS. Arthur Ashe had received a blood transfusion in the early 80's while undergoing a quadruple bypass. Due to the fact that at that time the blood wasn't tested for HIV/AIDS, Ashe was given contaminated blood.

Arthur Ashe reached the heights of the tennis world and served as an inspiration to millions due to his establishing himself as one of the best tennis players in the world. It is also the story of his struggle with HIV and the social stigma and fear surrounding this disease. It is the story of his awesome love affair with his wife, Jean, and the love he shared with his daughter, Camera.


Plot & Themes
Ethnic/Relig. of subject (inside)
Phys disability/mental struggle? Yes
Struggle with - physical disability/sickness
Sports story? - tennis
Ethnic/regional/gender Yes
Sports story Yes
Period of greatest activity? - 1950+

Subject of Biography
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Ethnicity - Black
Nationality - American

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 8 ()
United States Yes
Africa Yes
Century: - 1980's-Present

Writing Style
Book makes you feel? - in awe - like laughing
Pictures/Illustrations? - A lot 11-15 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - significantly more descript than dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 51%-75% of book
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