Little Wonder

'Abramsky traces [Lottie Dod's] pioneering life with a reporter's zeal'

* The Times, Best Sports Books of 2021 *

'Eighty-five years before Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs fought the 'battle of the sexes,' a Victorian teenager showed what women could do . . . [Abramsky] celebrates her as a brave and talented and determined original. In sports, the battle of the sexes is far from over, but Dod won more than a few break points simply by living her own life to the fullest'

* The Atlantic *

'Masterfully captures the life of this little-known sportswoman, a versatile female athlete ... In an eloquently written narrative, spiced with vivid descriptions of the Victorian era and the early twentieth century, he shines a light on Dod'

* Booklist, STARRED Review *

'Lottie Dod is one of the world’s great unsung sporting heroes. There wasn't a glass ceiling she didn't succeed in breaking, and in Little Wonder, Sasha Abramsky takes readers on an amazing journey across continents and decades as she shattered records and destroyed stereotypes along the way'

-- Billie Jean King

'Abramsky has lifted Dod out of obscurity with a refreshing narrative that is both descriptive and informative'

* Sport in American History *

'An adroitly written biography . . . Abramsky offers a fascinating portrait of the life of this forgotten sports heroine in fluid prose. Little Wonder is a worthy addition to the sports literature'

* New York Journal of Books *

'Abramsky combines descriptive writing with research that pulls back the curtain to reveal an athlete whose feats remain stunning 60 years after her death and more than a century after her glory days'

* New Books in History *

'Abramsky documents in this engrossing page turner the inspiring life of forgotten sports phenomenon Lottie Dod (1871–1960), who blazed a trail for women sports superstars today . . . This astute history is a must read for sports fans and women's studies' students'

* Publishers Weekly *

'A book that brings well deserved attention to Dod . . . Abramsky has done a masterly job researching Dod's story and calling attention to the achievements of this pioneer who should be recognized by all interested in sports'

* Library Journal *

'Even though Dod was a phenom in her day, she was largely forgotten without TV, movies, or social media to carry her name forward. Fortunately for sports fans and students of women's studies, Dod won't be overlooked thanks to Abramsky's thorough biography ... A welcome resurrection of a true pioneer'

* Kirkus Reviews *

'It's so important to remember the past champions, especially the women who tend to be forgotten in the history books'

-- Martina Navratilova

'Lottie Dod should be a name we still refer to … why did she sink into obscurity? She’s out of it now, because of Sasha Abramsky’s wonderful new book. The perfect summer read'

-- Jo Good * BBC Radio London *

'I'd love to read this first biography of the great but now largely forgotten sportswoman Lottie Dod, who won Wimbledon when she was only 15, a Silver medal at the 1908 Olympics, the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, and played hockey for England among many other dazzling achievements'

* The Bookseller *

'a revelatory read'

* Philosophyfootball.c